Molecular Systematics and Chloroplast DNA Variation in Parasitic Scrophulariaceae/Orobanchaceae

叶绿体DNA（cpDNA）变异的研究有助于 阐明了许多植物类群的系统发育关系。 然而，在这方面， 最常见的cpDNA数据类型不能应用于寄生虫 完全不进行光合作用的植物谱系。 我提议 使用一种新的数据来源， 叶绿体基因，研究系统发育关系，在一个 包含光合和非光合形式的科。 玄参科和列当科是这些研究的理想植物 因为它们含有各种寄生的植物 行为，包括一些对重要事物具有高度破坏性的行为 农作物 此外，该组中的植物显示 叶绿体DNA结构和相关基因含量的显著变化 光合作用的丧失。 涉及基因测序和cpDNA的多重方法 绘图将检查这一组的分子遗传学， 全面描述了其在cpDNA结构和基因含量上的变异。 这项研究将集中在关键的“过渡”属，统一了 玄参科与（非光合作用）列当科，但 将包括这两个组中的物种加上外组分类群。 从这项研究中应该产生的重大进展 包括：（1）有效的分子系统方法， 在植物家族中使用，即使是“麻烦”的，包括 非光合植物 (2)有机会学习更多关于 系统发育关系和性格的演变内 经济上最重要的寄生植物群。(3)得多 深入了解cpDNA的动力学和机制 分子变异

Studies of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation have helped to clarify phylogenetic relationships in many plant groups. However, the most common types of cpDNA data cannot be applied to parasitic plant lineages that are completely non-photosynthetic. I propose to use a new source of data, sequences of nonphotosynthetic chloroplast genes, to investigate phylogenetic relationships in a family containing photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic forms. Scrophulariaceae and Orobanchaceae are ideal for these studies because they contain plants with a wide range of parasitic behaviors, including some that are highly destructive to important crop plants. Additionally, plants in this group display remarkable variation in cpDNA structure and gene content associated with the loss of photosynthesis. A multiple approach involving gene sequencing and cpDNA mapping will examine the molecular phylogeny of this group and fully describe its variation in cpDNA structure and gene content. The study will focus on critical "transition" genera that unify the Scrophulariaceae with the (nonphotosynthetic) Orobanchaceae, but will include species in both groups plus outgroup taxa. Significant developments that should derive from this research include: (1) Efficient molecular systematic approaches that can be used within plant families, even "troublesome" ones that include nonphotosynthetic plants. (2) Opportunities to learn much about the phylogenetic relationships and character evolution within the most economically important group of parasitic plants. (3) A much deeper understanding of the dynamics and mechanisms of cpDNA molecular variation.