Taxonomic Revision, Phylogenetic Analysis, and Leaf Evolution in Elaphoglossum sect. Squamipedia (Dryopteridaceae)

该项目采用协同方法来了解蕨类植物的生物多样性和进化，蕨类植物是陆地植物群的主要组成部分，并将重点关注Elaphoglossum属的一组热带蕨类植物。有超过600种的Elaphoglossum和这些物种的绝大多数的特点是简单的叶子。 然而，在Elapholgossum，Squamipedia组中有一个组，有3种复叶。该项目试图在首次发现这些植物之间的进化关系后，了解这些不同叶片形态的遗传基础。在Elaphoglossum节鳞足目的所有物种将编目和描述使用野外工作，标本收集和形态分析，然后通过DNA序列分析，将发展系统发育假说。 通过克隆候选叶基因，并在复叶和单叶物种中进行比较表达和发育分析，研究鳞足蕨组蕨类植物叶多样性的遗传基础。这些研究对于了解陆地植物叶片进化和发育的一般模式是不可或缺的。这项研究将启动系统学家PI Moran和发育生物学家Co-PI Ambrose之间的合作。这项建议将为来自拉丁美洲的一名女博士后助理提供跨学科培训。在实地工作方面，PI将在厄瓜多尔基多的天主教大学教授关于蕨类植物和石松植物的课程。PI还将与纽约蕨类植物协会的成员就Elaphoglossum形态学进行合作。Co-PI参加NYBG暑期实习计划，为高中和本科生提供研究经验。研究的所有结果将在Elaphoglossum Pages网站（http：//sweetgum.nybg.org/elaphoglossum/index.php）和同行评审的科学期刊上公布。

The project uses a synergistic approach to understand the biodiversity and evolution of ferns, a major component of the land flora and will focus on a group of tropical ferns within the genus Elaphoglossum. There are more than 600 species of Elaphoglossum and the vast majority of these species are characterized by simple leaves. However, there is a group within Elapholgossum, section Squamipedia, that has 3 species with compound leaves. The project seeks to understand the genetic basis of these diverse leaf morphologies after first discovering the evolutionary relationships among these plants. All the species in Elaphoglossum section Squamipedia will be inventoried and described using field work, herbarium collections and morphological analyses, followed by analysis of DNA sequences that will develop phylogenetic hypotheses. The genetic basis of fern leaf diversity in section Squamipedia will be examined by cloning candidate leaf genes and performing comparative expression and developmental analyses in compound and simple leaved species. These studies are integral for understanding general patterns of leaf evolution and development in land plants.This study will initiate a collaboration between PI Moran, a systematist, and Co-PI Ambrose, a developmental biologist. This proposal will provide interdisciplinary training for a female postdoctoral associate from Latin America. In connection with the field work, the PI will teach a course on ferns and lycophytes at the Catholic University in Quito, Ecuador. The PI will also work with members of the New York Fern Society on Elaphoglossum morphology. The Co-PI participates in the NYBG summer internship program that provides research experience for high school and undergraduate students. All results of the study will be made publicly available on the Elaphoglossum Pages Web site (http://sweetgum.nybg.org/elaphoglossum/index.php) and in peer-reviewed scientific journals.