Dissertation Research: Systematics of Dombeya and the Dombeyoideae (Malvaceae s.l.)

巧克力家族的植物Dombea是马达加斯加巨大多样性的一个突出例子，其210种中有180种仅在这个独特的岛屿上发现。 虽然该属在马达加斯加普遍存在，但大多数Dombea物种都知之甚少，并且在分类学上被忽视。 该项目旨在通过实现两个目标来改善这种忽视：1）完成整个属的分子进化，这是一种基于DNA研究的进化关系假设; 2）对Dombeya内的一个明确定义的组Astrapaea进行分类修订。在马达加斯加等发展中国家，普遍的贫困迫使不可持续的土地使用，因此必须立即采取保护行动。然而，成功的养护和生物多样性管理工作需要健全的分类学基础，而热带分类群往往缺乏这一基础。 本研究的部分Astrapaea开始分类工作的Dombea和属范围内的系统发育创建了一个框架，为未来的分类修订的其余部分，这个令人生畏的大属，一个重要的目标，考虑到Dombea占2%的马达加斯加植物群。 该项目同时建立了一个关于马达加斯加Dombeya的在线数据库，确保将成果传播给最需要的人：在马达加斯加实地工作的研究人员。

The plant genus Dombeya, of the Chocolate Family, is a striking example of the megadiversity of Madagascar, with 180 of its 210 species found only on this unique island. Although the genus is ubiquitous throughout Madagascar, most species of Dombeya are poorly understood and have been taxonomically neglected. This project aims to ameliorate this neglect by accomplishing two objectives: 1) complete a molecular phylogeny, a hypothesis of evolutionary relationships based on the study of DNA, for the entire genus, and 2) produce a taxonomic revision of section Astrapaea, a well-defined group within Dombeya.In developing countries, like Madagascar, widespread poverty compels unsustainable land use making immediate conservation action imperative. Yet, successful conservation and biodiversity management efforts require a sound taxonomic foundation, which is often lacking for tropical taxa. This study of section Astrapaea begins taxonomic work on Dombeya and the genus-wide phylogeny creates a framework for future taxonomic revision of the remainder of this dauntingly large genus, a significant goal considering Dombeya makes up 2% of the Malagasy flora. The project's concurrent creation of an online database of the Dombeya of Madagascar ensures dissemination of results to those most in need of them: researchers working on the ground in Madagascar.