U.S.-Ethiopia Cooperative Research: Systematic Studies of Bidens and Coreopsis (Asteraceae)

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INT-9412801 Crawford This project supports the continued 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. The collaborative component with the Ethiopian partner is investigating the relationship of North American Coreopsis to African plants that have been variously assigned to Bidens or Coreopsis. During this extension of his research cooperation at Ohio State, the Ethiopian scientist will pursue the following goals: (1) make further morphological and anatomical studies on particularly South American species of Coreopsis and selected North and South American species of Bidens; (2) continue the search for diagnostic features in Bidens and Coreopsis from particularly reproductive features; (3) complete the description of the remaining species of North American species of Coreopsis (27 of the 44 species have been described and sketched so far); (4) produce a scheme that reveals the relationships between Bidens and Coreopsis in the Old versus the New World taxa. The visiting scientist is gaining familiarity with additional techniques and methods, such as enzyme electrophoresis, how to study DNA for systematic purposes, using cladistics for generating phylogenies, etc. When he returns to Ethiopia, he will be able to instruct students in these aspects of systematics. Improved understanding of this large, widespread genus is consistent with the Africa program's 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, Af rica, North America, and South America. *** ***