Dissertation Research: Phylogeny and Character Evolution in the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae): Neotropical Epiphytes with Mite and Ant Domatia.

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The Blakeeae (Melastomataceae) are large-flowered, mainly epiphytic,components of neotropical forests with diverse pollination syndromes (including rodents)and mutualistic associations with ants and mites. The goals of this study are to inferphylogeny using morphology and five molecular regions; to use the phylogeny to trackthe evolution of mite and ant plant associations; examine patterns of character change,particularly anther morphology and other floral modifications; and explore speciation andbiogeography.Broader impacts. Undergraduates will be trained in scanning electron microscopy,molecular, and anatomical techniques. This project is fostering collaborations betweenNorth and South American botanists. Results will be disseminated through scientificjournals, meetings, and classroom lectures. Blakeeae are mostly limited to highly diverseand endangered montane, neotropical forests--understanding them will aid conservation.Intellectual merit. WSJ has broad expertise in plant systematics and morphology. DSPhas training in morphological, anatomical, and molecular techniques. Both are involvedin international collaborative investigations into melastome phylogenetics, are active inthe scientific community, and are winners of competitive teaching awards. This will beamong the first morphological analyses to provide access to all metadata, will contributeconsiderably to understanding melastome phylogenetics, mite- and ant-plantrelationships, and form the foundation for a monograph.