Supplement for Science in Developing Countries Program: The Systematics and Evolution of the Genus Corpopsis (Asteraceae) in South America

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9315527 Crawford This project supports the participation of Dr. Tadesse Mesfin of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, in an ongoing study in plant molecular phylogenetics, led by Dr. Daniel Crawford of Ohio State University, (NSF Grant INT-9025030), of the systematics and evolution of the genus Coreopsis (Asteraceae). Both South America and Eastern Africa represent centers of diversity for Coreopsis that equal or surpass that found in North America. This collaborative component will expand the work beyond North and South American taxa to investigate the relationship of North American Coreopsis to African plants that have been variously assigned to Bidens or Coreopsis. It is hoped that the visiting scientist can obtain morphological characters useful in a cladistic analysis of Coreopsis and selected representatives of the large genus Bidens and several related genera. The visitor will examine the holdings in several herbaria in the U.S., and will be introduced to some basic molecular techniques being used in the host scientist's laboratory to apply to the problem. These include allozymes, restriction site analysis of chloroplast DNA, and RAPDs. The cooperation will improve understanding of Coreopsis in each of the geographical areas where it occurs, and also on a worldwide basis, including its origin, evolution and biogeography. Improved understanding of this large, widespread genus is consistent with the Africa Initiative emphasis on biodiversity research cooperation, and promises benefits to both partners and to their parent institutions. Moreover, this project will contribute to the establishment of a longterm research network linking scientists on three continents, Africa, North America, and South America. ***