ARTS: Collaborative Research: A model systematic treatment of a hyper-diverse lineage descended from early land plants (Frullania, Frullaniaceae, Marchantiophyta).

研究人员将对一组高度多样化的早期陆地植物--地钱属植物--进行现代和新颖的分类处理。苔类植物是我们了解早期陆地植物进化的关键，在世界上许多地区都作为植被的重要组成部分存在。该项目代表了一项史无前例的对叶地钱属植物的如此规模的研究，该属之所以被称为叶地钱草属，是因为它的叶植物结构。分类结论将从多方面的数据集中得出，包括形态、田野调查、实验生长研究、DNA序列数据以及使用DNA微卫星标记的种群研究。重要的是，该项目将广泛利用计算机和基于网络的工具，帮助向生物学家、生态学家、自然保护者和公众提供生物多样性数据。该项目继续与《生活百科全书》等国际数据库活动结成强有力的伙伴关系。该项目为年轻科学家提供以博物馆藏品为基础的研究方面的关键培训。该项目的独特之处在于建立了一个强大的机构网络，参与服务于科学和服务学习计划，架起了科学和培训的桥梁。该项目有一个强有力的推广战略，包括豆荚和视频广播，为《世界教育者指南》的植物做出贡献，并参加包括300多名芝加哥地区教育工作者在内的教育者开放日。参与这项研究的科学家还将提供一门苔类鉴定野外课程。

Researchers will conduct a modern and novel taxonomic treatment of a hyper-diverse group of early land plants the liverwort genus Frullania. Liverworts (Marchantiophyta) are pivotal in our understanding of early land plant evolution and exist as important components of the vegetation in many regions of the world. The project represents an unprecedented investigation of this scale on a leafy liverwort genus, so-called because of the leafy plant structure. Taxonomic conclusions will be drawn from a multi-faceted data set, including morphology, fieldwork, experimental growth studies, as well as DNA sequence data, and population studies using DNA microsatellite markers.Importantly, the project will extensively utilize computer and web-based tools to help furnish biodiversity data to biologists, ecologists, conservationists, and the public. The project continues strong partnerships with international databasing activities such as the Encyclopedia of Life. The project provides critical training to young scientists in museum collections-based research. Unique to the project is the development of a strong network of institutions, participating in Service to Science and Service Learning programs bridging science and training. The project has a strong outreach strategy including pod and video casts, contributing to Plants of the World Educator Guide, and participation in the Educator Open House, including over 300 Chicago-area educators. The scientists involves in this research will also provide a liverwort identification field course.