REVSYS: A phylogenetic monograph of the species-rich neotropical tree genus Swartzia (Leguminosae)

Swartzia属（豆科）包括大约200种，它们共同构成了中美洲和南美洲热带雨林的一个多样化和独特的元素。Swartzia种类丰富，具有重要的生态作用。尽管它很重要，尽管热带雨林正在遭到破坏，但相对于其他植物群，Swartzia的研究还很不足。该属的分类学已经严重过时，其生物学的大多数方面都是未知的，许多偏远地区的物种尚未被描述。资金将用于开展广泛的博物馆，实地和实验室为基础的研究Swartzia。这项研究将综合目前的信息，并将产生关于物种分布、生态、变异、生物学、利用和保护状况的新数据，特别是来自以前采样不足的地理区域。这些数据将用于澄清Swartzia的分类，并将在百科全书分类专著和网站上发表。该研究将极大地促进建立热带树木模型系统的长期目标，以研究热带雨林物种多样性的起源和维持。通过该项目的网站，所有数据将提供给科学界和公众。这些数据将有助于物种鉴定、生物多样性研究、保护和管理。该研究小组包括来自5个国家的人员，是国际合作的典范。该项目为美国和南美洲的学生和志愿者提供了大量的教育机会。

The genus Swartzia (in the legume, or bean, family) includes approximately 200 species that together form a diverse and characteristic element of Central and South American rainforests. Many species of Swartzia are abundant and play important ecological roles. Despite its importance, and despite the ongoing destruction of tropical rainforests, Swartzia has been under-studied relative to other plant groups. The taxonomy of the genus is badly outdated, most aspects of its biology are unknown, and many species in remote regions have yet to be described. Funding will be used to carry out extensive museum-, field-, and laboratory-based studies of Swartzia. This research will synthesize current information and will generate new data on species distributions, ecology, variation, biology, uses, and conservation status, particularly from previously under-sampled geographic regions. These data will be used to clarify the taxonomy of Swartzia and will be published in an encyclopedic taxonomic monograph and website. The research will greatly advance a long-term objective to develop a model system in tropical trees for studying the origins and maintenance of species diversity in rainforests. Through the project website, all data will be made available to the scientific community and public. These data will help in species identification, biodiversity research, conservation, and management. The research team includes personnel in five countries and is a model of international collaboration. The project presents substantial educational opportunities for students and volunteers in the United States and South America.