Collaborative Research: Systematic and ecological studies of North American Najas L. (Hydrocharitaceae)

在美国的湖泊和池塘中，经常生长着水仙属的沉水开花植物。一些Najas物种原产于北美，而另一些物种则是来自欧洲的入侵者，占领了他们殖民的池塘。这些植物不起眼，花很小；当它们在不同的环境中生长时，它们往往看起来不同，一些物种往往会形成杂交。正因为如此，他们很难被识别。对于土地管理者来说，通常很难确定某个池塘中的植物是有毒的入侵者、濒危的本土物种，还是两者的混合体。该项目将使用DNA测序、染色体检查和先进的统计方法来为土地管理员提供识别工具。此外，这些数据将帮助科学家了解这些水生植物是如何进化的。该项目代表了主要是本科生机构(米德尔伯里学院)的生态学家和博士研究机构(康涅狄格大学)的进化生物学家之间的独特合作关系。本科生将在生态学和进化生物学方面获得强有力的跨学科培训，并将参与田野调查和实验室工作。

Lakes and ponds in the U.S. often contain submerged flowering plants in the genus Najas. Some species of Najas are native to North America, whereas others are invaders from Europe that take over the ponds that they colonize. The plants are nondescript, with tiny flowers; they often appear different when they are grown in different environments, and some species tend to form hybrids. Because of this, they are hard to identify. It is often difficult for land managers to determine whether the plants in a particular pond are the noxious invaders, endangered native species, or hybrids of the two. This project will use DNA sequencing, examination of chromosomes, and advanced statistical approaches to produce identification tools for land managers. In addition, the data will help scientists understand how these aquatic plants have evolved. The project represents a unique partnership between an ecologist at a primarily undergraduate institution (Middlebury College) and an evolutionary biologist at a doctoral research institution (University of Connecticut). Undergraduate students will acquire strong interdisciplinary training in ecology and evolutionary biology, and will be involved in both field investigations and laboratory work.