DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolutionary ecology of defensive chemical variation in Xanthium strumarium

植物产生广泛的防御，减少昆虫，脊椎动物和微生物害虫的损害。 这些防御是多种多样的，从刺和荆棘到尼古丁等有毒化学物质，防御的类型和数量在种群内部和种群之间都有很大差异。本研究将通过记录在复制的实验花园中维持普通苍耳（苍耳）防御化学变化的特定因素，来促进对维持多样防御的基础的理解。 种群内和种群间具有生态意义的性状的变异为生物多样性提供了基础。 更好地了解植物防御的基础对农业有重要的应用。该项目还包括为本科生提供跨学科的实地和实验室培训，以及一个积极的公共宣传计划。

Plants produce a broad array of defenses that reduce damage from insect, vertebrate, and microbe pests. These defenses are diverse, ranging from spines and thorns to toxic chemicals like nicotine, and type and amount of defense varies substantially within and among populations. This study will advance understanding of the basis for maintenance of diverse defenses by documenting the specific factors that maintain variation in defensive chemistry of the common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) in replicated experimental gardens. Variation within and among populations in ecologically significant traits supplies the basis for biodiversity. Better understanding of the basis of plant defense has significant applications to agriculture. This project also includes interdisciplinary field and laboratory training for undergraduates and an active public outreach program.