REU: Molecular Evolution in Brocchinia, Pitcairnioideae, and Allied Monocots

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Dr. Thomas Givnish and Kenneth Systma at the University of Wisconsin, Madison are researching evolutionary relationships in Brocchinia and other genera of the most primitive subfamily of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). Additional monocot families (lilies, orchids, grasses, etc.) will be surveyed for a unique genetic marker discovered in bromeliads, in order to determine levels of phylogenetic relatedness within the monocotyledon plants. Brocchinia is of interest because it lies close to the base of the pineapple family, is transitional between the most primitive and most advanced subfamilies, is native to the most ancient part of South America, and has evolved a remarkable range of mechanisms for capturing nutrients, including carnivory, nitrogen fixation, and feeding by ants. Data for the phylogenetic study will be derived by directly sequencing chloroplast genes. Goals of the research are to develop an understanding of how various groups of bromeliads evolved, how patterns of shared ancestry relate to their current distribution in specific regions of North and South America, and how they have adapted to conditions of extreme soil infertility and/or aridity.