Dissertation Research: Biodiversity and Systematics of Disterigma (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae), a Neotropical Blueberry

Disterigma是新热带蓝莓的一个属，生长在受到威胁的北安第斯云雾森林中。将进行形态和分子研究，以了解各种物种的特征、多样性、栖息地和特有特性。将对欧洲主要草本植物的标本进行检查，并将对从实地收集的样本进行新的观察和分析。该项目将以出版的新热带植物的Disterigma修订本结束。这是第一次对新热带植物蓝莓科(杜鹃科)的一个属进行系统修订，结合了传统形态和现代分子分析。这项研究的数据将为检验安第斯植物的物种形成和生物地理学假说提供一个框架。修订版将包含识别物种所需的描述、检索表、插图、分布图和插图。它还将提供有关Disterigma的栖息地、保护状况和用途的信息。这方面的工作对于评估和保护受到威胁的13个物种和限制分布的20个物种至关重要。这项研究将有助于证明保护因人类占领增加而发生变化的地区是合理的。结果将提高公众对安第斯生物多样性和保护它的迫切需要的认识。

Disterigma, a genus of Neotropical blueberries, grows in the threatened northern Andean cloud forests. Morphological and molecular studies will be conducted to understand the characteristics, diversity, habitat, and endemism of the various species. Specimens from major European herbaria will be examined and new observations and analyses will be made from samples collected from the field. The project will conclude with a published revision of Disterigma for the Neotropics.This is the first systematic revision of a genus in the Blueberry Family (Ericaceae) from the Neotropics that combines traditional morphology and modern molecular analysis. Data from this study will provide a framework for testing hypotheses of speciation and biogeography in Andean plants. The revision will contain descriptions, keys, illustrations, distribution maps, and illustrations needed to identify species. It will also provide information about the habitat, conservation status, and uses of Disterigma. This aspect of the work is essential for the assessment and conservation of the thirteen species that are threatened and the twenty that have restricted distributions. This study will help to justify the protection of areas that are undergoing change from increased human occupation. Results will raise public awareness about Andean biodiversity and the urgent need to preserve it.