DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Molecular systematics, flower micro-morphology, & floral fragrances in Mormolyca (Orchidaceae)

在兰科植物中，性欺骗是众所周知的。这种不寻常的系统已经详细研究了许多温带陆生兰花谱系，但很少在新世界。在新热带区的兰花属Morpecca，性欺骗已经发展沿着食物奖励和食物欺骗，从而提供了一个机会，探索花的形态和气味之间的相关性。本研究综合了分子进化、微形态学和化学生态学等多学科的技术，试图全面了解具有多种授粉系统的兰花类群的谱系多样性的进化过程，鉴于新热带地区拥有数量可观的兰花物种，这种综合方法应该特别有助于理解这一生物多样性热点。这项研究有助于培养一名博士。学习分子系统学和化学生态学现代方法的学生。这将使他能够继续担任本科生的导师，并显着提高他的论文将对学科的影响。不仅科学论文，而且产品更广泛的受众将提供兰花协会出版物和网站致力于兰花爱好者。 根据K？12次外联活动。

Pollination by sexual deceit is well known in the orchid family. This unusual system has been studied in detail for many temperate, terrestrial orchid lineages, but rarely in the New World. In the Neotropical orchid genus Mormolyca, sexual deception has evolved along with food reward and food deception, thereby providing an opportunity to explore correlations between flower morphology and scent. This research incorporates techniques from multiple disciplines (molecular evolution, micro-morphology and chemical ecology) in an attempt to gain a holistic picture of evolutionary processes underlying lineage diversification of an orchid group with multiple pollination systems.Given that the Neotropics harbor an impressive number of orchid species, this integrated approach should be especially helpful in understanding this biodiversity hotspot. The research is helping to train a Ph.D. student in modern approaches to molecular systematics and chemical ecology. It will allow him to continue serving as a mentor to undergraduate students, and significantly enhance the impact his dissertation will have on the discipline. Not only scientific papers, but also products for a broader audience will be made available in orchid society publications and websites devoted to orchid enthusiasts. Educational activities focused on orchid pollination also will be developed based on the results for K?12 outreach events.