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

芝加哥大学的托马斯·吉夫尼什和肯尼斯·希斯特马博士 威斯康星州，麦迪逊正在研究进化关系， Brocchinia和最原始的亚科的其他属 凤梨科。其他单子叶植物科 （百合、兰花、草等）将接受调查， 在凤梨科植物中发现的遗传标记， 单子叶植物内部的系统发育相关性水平 植物Brocchinia是感兴趣的，因为它靠近 基地的菠萝家庭，是过渡之间的最 原始和最先进的亚科，是原生于最 南美洲的一个古老的部分，并已演变成一个显着的范围 捕捉营养的机制，包括食肉动物， 固氮和蚂蚁的进食。系统发育数据 研究将通过直接测序叶绿体基因。 研究的目标是了解 不同的凤梨科植物群进化了， 祖先与他们目前的分布在具体 北美和南美地区，以及它们如何适应 极端土壤贫瘠和/或干旱的条件。

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.