Dissertation Research: Systematic and Evolutionary Studies of Asarum and Aristolochiaceae

9411644 lucow该奖项将支付博士研究生Lawrence M. Kelly在中国进行实地研究的旅费和分子（叶绿体和核DNA测序）研究的实验室用品，以加强其论文工作。该学生的研究项目包括利用形态学和分子数据进行系统发育分析或研究细辛属物种群之间的关系，以及细辛与构成马兜铃科植物家族的其他五个属之间的关系。这个科被认为是与单子叶植物、草、竹、百合等植物关系最密切的植物群。这项研究将澄清主要谱系之间的关系，开始对细辛属（包括大约80个物种）进行完整的物种水平处理或专著的工作。从这些研究中得出的系统发育或关系模式将用于检验有关燕尾蝶与这些植物之间的关联的假设，这些植物与它们产生某些植物酸和使这些植物适应真菌蚊蚋授粉的修饰有关。这项研究将阐明一组非常有趣的植物成员之间的关系，并测试对某些成员及其与燕尾蝶的生物学联系的预测。%%% %支持对研究生进行现代系统方法方面的培训，对于维持有能力解决日益引起全球关注的生物多样性问题的科学家队伍是重要的。＊＊＊

9411644 LUCKOW This award will pay for travel to conduct field work in China and laboratory supplies for molecular (chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequencing) studies to enhance the dissertation work of a PhD graduate student, Lawrence M. Kelly. The research project of this student involves utilizing morphological and molecular data in a phylogenetic analysis or study of relationships among species groups in the genus Asarum and among Asarum and the five other genera that constitute the plant family Aristolochiaceae. This family is understood to be the plant group most closely related to the monocots, the grasses, bamboos, lilies, etc.. This study will clarify relationships among major lineages, begin work on a full species-level treatment or monograph of the genus Asarum which includes approximately 80 species. The phylogeny or pattern of relationships derived from these studies will be used to test hypotheses concerning the associations of swallowtail butterflies with these plants relative to their production of certain plant acids and modifications adapting these plants to pollination by fungus gnats. %%% This study will clarify relationships among members of a very interesting group of plants and test predictions about certain members and their biological associations with swallowtail butterflies. Support for the training of graduate students in modern systematic methodologies is important for maintaining the workforce of scientists capable of addressing the questions and issues of biodiversity which are of increasing global concern. ***