DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The geographic and ecological basis of species richness: diversification in Mertensia

论文研究：物种丰富度的地理和生态基础：Mertensia的多样性理解为什么生物多样性在地理区域之间存在差异是进化生物学和生态学的一个基本挑战。本研究将联合收割机系统发育分析与植物地理学和生态学相结合，研究蓝铃花属的多样性，Mertensia，它在北美西部的物种丰富度最高，但也发生在亚洲。该研究旨在：（1）建立了该属的第一个分子系统学模型;（2）对该属的起源区域进行了检测;（3）对该属的起源时间进行了估算。的起源，并确定多样化的转变;（4）测试的地理和生态变化对多样化率的影响。叶绿体DNA序列将被用来重建物种关系的系统发育假说。一个时间校准的系统将被用来测试地理和生态变化的假设。这项研究将有助于解释植物多样化的生态和地理动态，并对理解人为气候变化的影响有影响。研究结果将发表在同行评审的期刊上，在科学会议上发表，并存入在线数据库。这项研究的推广将针对本土植物协会，流行期刊，并与STEM教育联盟赞助的国家女孩合作项目合作。

DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The geographic and ecological basis of species richness: diversification in MertensiaUnderstanding why biotic diversity differs among geographic regions is a fundamental challenge in evolutionary biology and ecology. This research will combine phylogenetic analyses with biogeography and ecology to examine diversification of the bluebell genus, Mertensia, which has its greatest species richness in western North America but also occurs in Asia. The research aims to: (1) produce the first molecular phylogeny for Mertensia; (2) test for the ancestral area of Mertensia; (3) estimate the time of Mertensia?s origin and identify shifts in diversification; and (4) test for effects of geographic and ecological change on diversification rates. Chloroplast DNA sequences will be used to reconstruct a phylogenetic hypothesis of species relationships. A time-calibrated phylogeny will be used to test hypotheses of geographic and ecological change. This research will help explain the ecological and geographical dynamics of plant diversification and have implications for understanding effects of anthropogenic climate change. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at scientific meetings, and deposited in online databases. Outreach from this research will be directed toward native plant societies, popular periodicals, and work with the National Girls Collaborative Project, sponsored by the STEM Education Coalition.