Evolution and Diversification of Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Rhododendron, Rhodoreae, Ericoideae, Ericaceae)

维克森林大学的凯瑟琳·克伦博士被授予研究杜鹃花和杜鹃的进化关系。杜鹃花和杜鹃花属于杜鹃花属，含有900多种杜鹃。这些植物是世界上最美丽的灌木之一，在园艺上具有巨大的重要性，并在温带和亚洲热带的许多栖息地形成了优势植被。尽管杜鹃花和杜鹃的能见度很高，但由于其巨大的形态多样性和变异性，一直很难研究。本研究利用6个基因的DNA序列数据和形态特征对杜鹃属主要类群的遗传关系进行了研究，以建立杜鹃和杜鹃主要谱系的进化史。形态数据将使用数字图像捕获和存储在公共可访问的网站上记录。这项研究的更广泛的影响包括为未来对一组具有生态、经济和进化重要性的植物的研究开发一个框架。由于这些植物几乎分布在世界各地，这项研究也将大大有助于更好地了解地球的历史。至少有一名女研究生将作为该项目的结果接受培训。所获得的信息将以电子和印刷形式在学术和非学术文本中传播。新获得的成果将纳入克伦博士在本科生和研究生阶段的教学和课程开发中。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Kathleen Kron at Wake Forest University to study the evolutionary relationships of azaleas and rhododendrons. Azaleas and rhododendrons belong to the genus Rhododendron which contains more than 900 spp. These plants are among the showiest shrubs in the world, are of enormous importance horticulturally and form the dominant vegetation in many habitats throughout the temperate zone and in the Asian tropics. Despite their high visibility, azaleas and rhododendrons have been difficult to study because of their tremendous morphological diversity and variability. This study investigates the geneological relationships of major groups within Rhododendron using DNA sequence data from six genes and morphological characteristics to establish the evolutionary history of major lineages of azaleas and rhododendrons. Morphological data will be recorded using digital image capture and storage on a public accessible website.The broader impacts of this study include the development of a framework for future studies in a group of plants that are ecologically, economically, and evolutionarily important. Because these plants have a nearly worldwide distribution, this study will also significantly contribute to a better understanding of the history of the earth. At least one female graduate student will be trained as a result of this project. The information gained will be disseminated in electronic and print form, in both scholarly and lay texts. The newly obtained results will be incorporated into Dr. Kron's teaching and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels.