MRPG: Phylogeny, Biogeography and Systematics of Erithalis and Ernodea (Rubiaceae) in the Caribbean

西印度群岛的生物地理可以用复杂来形容。该地区复杂的地质历史、具有独特历史的众多岛屿以及从泛加勒比物种到单一岛屿特有物种的丰富生物群之间的关系还没有得到很好的了解。间隔性和跨洋扩散是用来解释生物群现今分布的模式。为了了解加勒比植物群的起源，需要对加勒比分类群进行研究。到目前为止，大多数测试的模型都涉及动物。该项目拟利用分子和形态学数据构建加勒比盆地特有的两个植物属（Erithalis和Ernodea: Rubiaceae）的进化树。对于每个属，物种之间的关系将被检查，这些结果将与分布模式相结合，以确定该地区殖民事件的模式。将利用形态学数据和两种分子标记对两属所有分类群的多个居群进行研究。许多有代表性的属将被列入外群，以确定这两个属在大陆的地理亲缘关系。由此产生的进化树将与物种的地理分布进行比较，以检验生物地理学假说。开始日期：1998年8月15日。

Negron-Ortiz DEB-9807089 The biogeography of the West Indies can be described as intricate. The relationships of a complex geological history of the region, numerous islands with unique histories, and a rich biota ranging from pan-Caribbean species to single island endemics are not well understood. Vicariance and trans-oceanic dispersal are models proposed to explain the present-day distribution of the biota . In order to understand the origins of the Caribbean flora, studies of Caribbean taxa are needed. Until now most of the models tested have involved animals. The PI proposes to use molecular and morphological data to construct evolutionary trees of two plant genera (Erithalis and Ernodea: Rubiaceae) endemic to the Caribbean Basin. For each genus, relationships among species will be examined and these results will be integrated with distribution patterns to ascertain patterns of colonization events in the region. Multiple populations of all taxa of both genera will be examined using morphological data and two molecular markers. Many representative genera will be included as outgroups to determine the mainland geographical affinities of the two genera. Resulting evolutionary trees will be compared to geographic distributions of the species to test biogeographical hypotheses. Starting date: August 15, 1998.