Dissertation Research: Population Genetics and Phylogenetic Systematics of the Native Hawaiian Palm Genus Pritchardia

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9411848 Ranker Graduate student Chrissen Gemmill, under the supervision of faculty adviser Thomas Ranker at the University of Colorado, is studying the taxonomy, phylogeny, and population genetics of Hawaiian species of the palm genus Pritchardia. There are an estimated 25 species in the genus, 19 in Hawaii and the rest in the South Pacific. Eight or so species occur in isolated, small populations and may prove to be genetically depauperate and endangered. Morphological and molecular studies are being conducted, the latter including electrophoresis of proteins to assess levels of genetic variability and sequencing of nuclear DNA regions (ITS regions) to measure mutational differences among species. Combined morphological and molecular evidence will improve taxonomic discrimination of the Hawaiian species and provide characters for reliable identification and for inferring a hypothesis of evolutionary history. Because conservation and management decisions must be based on reliable taxonomic treatments, an improved classification of Pritchardia palms, based on combined morphological and molecular data, will answer the needs for accurate identification and measurement of genetic variability in wild populations.