DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Speciation patterns in Scaphosepalum (Orchidaceae)

论文研究：Scaphosepalum（兰科）的物种形成模式

• 批准号: 1011357
• 负责人: Norris Williams
• 金额: $ 0.95万
• 依托单位: University of Florida
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-06-01 至 2013-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1011357&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Speciation; patterns; Scaphosepalum

Orchids represent approximately 10% to the plant species richness of the tropics, a diversity unsurpassed by any other plant group. Scaphosepalum belongs to the most diverse Neotropical orchid group, the Pleurothallidinae (about 4,000 species). This study seeks to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Scaphosepalum orchids by using DNA sequence data and morphological traits. The goal is to determine whether species living in the same area and sharing habitats are each other's closest relatives or sister species. These co-occurring species may have arisen by the rare process of sympatric speciation. Scaphosepalum may be an ideal group in which to test theories of sympatric speciation because many of its species occur together in natural populations. This study will provide valuable insights on the formation of species in the montane and cloud forests of the Andes, an area of significant biodiversity (an evolutionary hotspot) highly threatened by habitat destruction. It may also shed light on the poorly understood process of sympatric speciation. This research will also strengthen international collaborations, scientific networks, and education, both within the US and internationally.

兰花约占热带植物物种丰富度的10%，这一多样性是任何其他植物群都无法超越的。Scaphosepalum属于最多样化的新热带兰科植物Pleurothallidinae(约4000种)。本研究试图利用DNA序列数据和形态特征重建青兰的进化史。目标是确定生活在同一地区和共享栖息地的物种是彼此最亲近的亲戚还是姐妹物种。这些共生物种可能是由罕见的共生物种形成过程产生的。Scaphosepalum可能是检验共域物种形成理论的理想类群，因为它的许多物种在自然种群中一起出现。这项研究将为安第斯山脉山地和云雾森林物种的形成提供有价值的见解，安第斯山脉是一个生物多样性丰富的地区(一个进化热点)，受到栖息地破坏的高度威胁。这也可能有助于揭示人们对共生物种形成过程知之甚少的问题。这项研究还将加强美国国内和国际上的国际合作、科学网络和教育。