DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Quantifying genetic and ecological variation to delimit species in Hawaiian Pritchardia (Palmae)

物种划界对于进化生物学的许多方面都是必不可少的，包括系统学，保护和生态学。本研究项目的目标是测试种界定在夏威夷Pritchardia植物的分子和生态数据，并解释的历史殖民化和随后的扩展Pritchardia，在夏威夷最丰富的植物属之一。棕榈科（棕榈科）是一个特殊的研究系统，因为它的经济重要性，高度特有性，濒危物种的数量，以及许多知之甚少的物种复合体。它也是美国本土物种的保护优先事项。物种分布范围和生境的数据将补充夏威夷州植物灭绝预防方案所列物种的基线信息。这项研究的结果将为保护工作提供关键数据，并将发表和报告给稀有植物保护和管理小组以及土地和自然资源部。Pritchardia是夏威夷的第七大植物属，这项研究将提供正在进行的比较研究，包括濒危，物种形成和殖民模式的进一步评估。这项研究也将作为合作的基础Pritchardia物种的分类修订。

Species delimitations are essential to many aspects of evolutionary biology, including systematics, conservation, and ecology. The goals of this research project are to test species delimitations in Hawaiian Pritchardia plants with molecular and ecological data, and to interpret the history of colonization and subsequent expansion of Pritchardia, one of the most species-rich plant genera in Hawaii. Pritchardia (Palmae) is an exceptional study system because of its economic importance, high endemism, number of endangered species, and numerous poorly understood species complexes. It is also a conservation priority for native species in the United States. Data from species ranges and habitats will add to baseline information on species that are included in the Plant Extinction Prevention Program of the State of Hawaii. Results from this study will provide critical data for conservation efforts and will be published and reported to rare plant conservation and management groups and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Pritchardia is the seventh largest plant genus in Hawaii and this study will provide further evaluation of ongoing comparative studies including patterns of endangerment, speciation, and colonization. This research will also serve as a basis for a collaborative taxonomic revision of Pritchardia species.