SupportingSpartina: Interdisciplinary perspective showsSpartinaas a distinct solid genus

Abstract

In 2014, a DNA‐based phylogenetic study confirming the paraphyly of the grass subtribe Sporobolinae proposed the creation of a large monophyletic genus Sporobolus, including (among others) species previously included in the genera Spartina, Calamovilfa, and Sporobolus. Spartina species have contributed substantially (and continue contributing) to our knowledge in multiple disciplines, including ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, biogeography, experimental ecology, biological invasions, environmental management, restoration ecology, history, economics, and sociology. There is no rationale so compelling to subsume the name Spartina as a subgenus that could rival the striking, global iconic history and use of the name Spartina for over 200 yr. We do not agree with the subjective arguments underlying the proposal to change Spartina to Sporobolus. We understand the importance of both the objective phylogenetic insights and of the subjective formalized nomenclature and hope that by opening this debate we will encourage positive feedback that will strengthen taxonomic decisions with an interdisciplinary perspective. We consider that the strongly distinct, monophyletic clade Spartina should simply and efficiently be treated as the genus Spartina.

Effects of a tropical cyclone on salt marsh insect communities and post‐cyclone reassembly processes

“…All sites contained salt marshes strongly dominated by salt marsh/smooth cordgrass, Sporobolus alterniflorus (Loiseleur) P.M. Peterson and Saarela (Weakley ). We note that nomenclature of this grass, previously Spartina alterniflora Loiseleur, based on molecular data (Peterson et al , b), has remained contentious based on long use of Spartina to designate this group of often dominant grasses in marsh ecosystems (Bortolus et al ). Within each site, we established two 20 m transects (separated by 5 m) that extended into marsh vegetation from the edge of open water (Adams et al ).…”

Genetic Diversity of Invasive Spartina alterniflora Loisel. (Poaceae) Introduced Unintentionally Into Japan and Its Invasion Pathway

“…The Spartina spp. (cordgrass) (Bortolus et al, 2019) greatly alter brackish and estuarine salt marsh environments via changes in the sediment properties of the tidal flats with growth, resulting in its subsequent further population expansion (e.g., Howes and Teal, 1994;Neira et al, 2005). In addition, serious ecological impacts of Spartina species on native aquatic ecosystems through competitive exclusion (Goss-Custard and Moser, 1988;Wan et al, 2009;Zhou et al, 2009;Morgan and Systma, 2010) and changes in community and trophic structures (Simenstad and Thom, 1995;Levin et al, 2006;Bortolus et al, 2015) were found due to their expansion.…”

Modelling the effects ofSpartina alterniflorainvasion on the landscape succession of Yancheng coastal natural wetlands, China

“…Spartina alterniflora, a perennial salt-tolerant plant, originated from the west coast of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, and it is the dominant plant in the low salt marsh of the coastal zone (Bortolus et al, 2019;Bortolus, Carlton & Schwindt, 2015;Peterson et al, 2014). S. alterniflora plays an important ecological role in the country of origin.…”