DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phylogenetic Systematics, Diversification, and Character Evolution in Hydrophyllaceae

小行星9623683 研究生黛安·弗格森在哈佛大学顾问迈克尔·多诺霍的指导下，正在研究水生植物科，重点是推断系统发育关系的新分子证据。 水生植物科（Hydrophyllaceae）是一个多样化的草本和灌木类群，在北美西部，特别是加州，有17个属中的13个，约有100个属。130个物种。 鉴于大多数属的Hydrophyllaceae是本地化的分布，但在这个范围内是可变的，物种丰富，他们提出了一个机会，深入研究的植物发生，物种多样性，和字符的进化。 本项目的目标包括：（1）推断出（2）利用叶绿体基因ndhF的DNA序列测定的突变差异，对该科内和相关类群间的代表性分类单元进行系谱学分析：（3）评价该科传统分类中形态性状的变异性和可靠性;（3）开始分析性状进化（方向和程度）、物种分布和在系统发育框架内的多样化率的变化。 %%% 水生植物科包括草本和木本成员，具有一系列花和果实特征，主要集中在北美西部。 这组的系统发育分析将确定草本和木本物种之间的关系，测试转换是否发生了单一或多次，以及是否其他营养或生殖功能与这些生长形式的过渡，并与热带和温带范围之间的假定物种迁移。 来自DNA测序的新分子数据将为这些系统发育评价提供强有力的证据。 ***

9623683 Donoghue Graduate student Diane Ferguson, with direction from adviser Michael Donoghue at Harvard University, is studying the plant family Hydrophyllaceae, with emphasis on new molecular evidence for inferring phylogenetic relationships. Hydrophyllaceae are a diverse group of herbs and shrubs that have radiated in an evolutionary sense in western North America, especially California where 13 of the 17 genera and ca. 130 species occur. Given that most genera of Hydrophyllaceae are localized in distribution yet are variable and species-rich within this range, they present an opportunity for intensive study of phylogeny, species diversification, and character evolution. The goals of the project include: (1) to infer the phylogeny (genealogy) of representative taxa within the family and among related groups by using mutational differences measured from DNA sequences of the chloroplast gene ndhF; (2) to assess the variability and reliability of morphological characters used in traditional classifications of this family; and (3) to begin analyses of character evolution (direction and degree), biogeography, and shifts in diversification rates within this phylogenetic framework. %%% The plant family Hydrophyllaceae includes herbaceous and woody members, with an array of floral and fruit characteristics, mostly concentrated in western North America. Phylogenetic analyses of this group will determine relationships between herbaceous and woody species, test whether transitions have occurred singly or many times, and whether other vegetative or reproductive features correlate with these growth-form transitions and with presumed species migrations between tropical and temperate ranges. New molecular data from DNA sequencing will provide robust evidence for these phylogenetic appraisals. ***