REU: Pollen Morphology and Evolution in the Proteaceae

南半球的分类学分类 Proteaceae，分布于澳大利亚，南非， 和南美洲，主要是基于形态特征 鲜花和水果的味道。 约有67属1450种 目前已确认。 为了检验这些植物的分类 德保罗大学的西尔维娅·福伊尔博士用新的数据 研究花粉的结构和雕刻 使用光学显微镜和电子显微镜对代表性样品进行分析。 花粉壁表面和壁分层的细节是 用冷冻切片和透射电子显微镜 显微镜，以获得有用的信息， 不同来源花粉间比较的等效特征 属 花粉壁结构和纹饰的模式是 预计在密切相关的类群之间相似， 展现出可识别的进化趋势。 这个科的花粉粒之间的差异是 Feuer博士所描述的也将允许确定 分散的化石花粉的正确的分类组合。 被认为是来自Proteaceae的谷物出现在 北方，远远超出了目前的地理范围， 家里 准确确定它们的分类地位是 解决历史问题的先决条件 这些植物，并进一步分析气候和其他 控制植物分布。

The taxonomic classification of the southern hemisphere plant family Proteaceae, distributed in Australia, South Africa, and South America, is based largely upon morphological features of the flowers and fruits. About 67 genera and 1450 species are currently recognized. To test the classification of these plants with new data, Dr. Sylvia Feuer of DePaul University is investigating the pollen structure and sculpturing of representative samples using light- and electron-microscopy. Fine details of the pollen wall surface and wall layering are being analyzed with cryosections and with transmission electron microscopy, to obtain information useful in determining equivalent features for comparison among pollen from different genera. Patterns of pollen wall structure and sculpture are expected to be similar among closely related groups of taxa, and to exhibit recognizable trends of evolutionary change. Differences among pollen grains of this family that are being described by Dr. Feuer will also allow determination of the correct taxonomic association of dispersed fossil pollens. Grains thought to be from Proteaceae occur in deposits in the northern hemisphere, far outside the current geographic range of the family. Accurate determination of their taxonomic status is prerequisite to resolution of the historical biogeography of these plants and to further analysis of climatic and other controls on plant distribution.