Dissertation Research: Molecular and Morphological Analysis of Caryota (Palmae)

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A biosystematic study of the genus Caryota (Palmae) using morphological, anatomical, and DNA level analyses is proposed. The genus is a monophyletic group of tropical forest trees with economic, evolutionary, and ecological importance. Due to the variability of many morphological characters used in previous taxonomies, species delimitions within Caryota and phylogenetic relationships among the caryotoid genera are not well resolved. Datasets, derived independently from several lines of inquire including descriptive morphology and anatomy, geometric morphometry, chloroplast and nuclear genome restriction endonuclease site mapping, and palynology will be subjected to a variety of phylogenetic analyses in an effort to establish a reliable taxonomy and monograph for the genus, examine phylogenetic relationships within and variable morphological characters within palms, examine patterns of molecular evolution in the caryotoid palms, and explore patterns of biogeography and speciation as expressed within the genus.