Molecular and Morphological Phylogeny of Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae)

0128872莱文 铁苋菜属（Acalypha），俗称铁苋菜，是大戟科（Euphorbiaceae）第四大属，约有450种。牠们分布广泛，物种原产于美洲（约占已知物种的三分之二）、非洲、亚洲、澳大利亚和太平洋岛屿。它在亚热带和热带地区最为丰富和多样。一些物种是本地和农业系统中的问题杂草，而另一些则很罕见;两种是常见的寄生虫，越来越多的证据表明，一些物种含有潜在的药物。不幸的是，铁苋菜属的分类学在75年多的时间里没有被修订，并且被怀疑不能很好地反映真实的关系。该属的生态学、保护、害虫管理和医学研究都因分类不当而受到阻碍。伊利诺伊大学和墨西哥生态研究所的Levin和Steinmann博士打算解决这个问题，并通过使用DNA序列数据和形态学来重建该属的大样本的进化史或进化历史，从而更好地了解该属的进化。结合实地工作和现有的收集，他们将检查约三分之二的物种。形态学数据和序列数据从两个基因（核ITS和质体ndhF）将分别进行分析，并结合重建属内的关系。研究结果将用于修订分类和评估铜叶植物进化的各个方面，特别是生长形式和生殖组织的变化。研究人员将开发一个网站，以分发该项目的结果和未来的铁苋菜研究。 该项目意义重大，因为它开发了人力资源，加强了对一个鲜为人知的群体的研究，促进了进一步的研究，并促进了保护和害虫管理。很少有系统分类学家研究大戟科，特别是考虑到该科是开花植物的第七大家族，有超过7，000种。该项目通过向一名研究生和一名年轻研究员（维克托·斯坦曼博士）提供培训，帮助解决这一问题。通过为关于不同群体的其他研究提供框架，将促进进一步的科学工作。由于其简单的花，但不同的方式来组织他们的植物，铁苋菜可以成为一个模型组应用新开发的基因组技术来理解花发育的进化，但只有当一个良好的支持的植物发生学是提供进化的背景。此外，莱文和斯坦曼的工作将产生更广泛的社会效益。一个现代的、得到充分支持的分类将有利于稀有物种的保护、农业杂草和入侵物种的管理以及药物的寻找。

0128872 Levin The genus Acalypha, commonly known as copperleaf, is the fourth largest genus in its family (Euphorbiaceae) with about 450 species. It is widespread geographically, with species native to the Americas (about two-thirds of the known species), Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. It is most abundant and diverse in subtropical and tropical regions. Some species are problematic weeds in native and agricultural systems, whereas others are rare; two are common ornamentals, and there is growing evidence that some species contain potential pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, the taxonomy of Acalypha has not been revised in more than 75 years and is suspected to reflect true relationships poorly. Ecological, conservation, pest management, and medical research on the genus are being hindered by the poor classification. Drs. Levin and Steinmann at the University of Illinois and the Institute of Ecology in Mexico intend to address this issue and provide better understanding of the evolution of the genus by using DNA sequence data and morphology to reconstruct the phylogeny, or evolutionary history, of a large sample of the genus. Combining field work and existing collections, they will examine about two-thirds of the species. Morphological data and sequence data from two genes (nuclear ITS and plastid ndhF) will be analyzed separately and in combination to reconstruct relationships within the genus. The results will then be used to revise the classification and assess various aspects of copperleaf evolution, particularly changes in growth form and reproductive organization. The investigators will develop a web site to distribute the results of this project and of future studies of Acalypha. This project is significant because it develops human resources, strengthens research on a poorly known group, stimulates further research, and facilitates conservation and pest management. Very few systematists work on Euphorbiaceae, especially given that the family is the seventh largest family of flowering plants with over 7,000 species. This project helps address this issue by providing training to a graduate student and a young researcher (Dr. Victor Steinmann). Further scientific work will be stimulated by providing the framework for other studies on a diverse group. Because of its simple flowers but varied ways of organizing them on the plant, Acalypha could become a model group for applying newly developed genomic techniques to understanding the evolution of floral development, but only if a well-supported phylogeny is available to provide the evolutionary context. In addition, Levin's and Steinmann's work will have broader societal benefits. A modern, well-supported classification will facilitate conservation of rare species, management of agricultural weeds and invasive species, and the search for pharmaceuticals.