Molecular Systematics of the Rapateaceae and Allied Monocot Families

9306943吉维尼什这项研究涉及对单子叶植物萝卜科植物的分子系统研究。叶绿体DNA(CpDNA)变异将利用NDH F基因和RBC L ATPB间隔区的限制性内切酶切点图谱和核苷酸序列进行检测。这些数据将被用来推断分子系统发育，这一系统发育将被用来解释该科在非洲和南美洲的形态变化以及分布和生态。%萝卜科植物为研究涉及适应的各种问题提供了几个机会。在这个科中，有几种授粉系统，涉及蜜蜂、蜂鸟、苍蝇和象甲，尚不清楚有相似传粉者和花的物种是否有密切的亲缘关系。植物生物学家对萝卜科和菠萝科更广泛的亲缘关系感兴趣，不同的形态特征支持不同的假说。分子系统学将为这些假说提供检验。最后，这项研究将有助于世界上最大的活植物和冷冻植物组织收集之一。这些收藏将是对植物生物界的重大贡献。

9306943 Givinish This research involves a molecular systematic study of the monocot plant family Rapateaceae. Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation will be examined using both restriction site maps and nucleotide sequences of the ndh F gene and rbc L atp B spacer. These data will be used to derive a molecular phylogeny, and this phylogeny will be sued to interpret morphological changes and the distribution and ecology of the family in both Africa and South America. %%% The family Rapateaceae presents several opportunities for research on various questions involving adaptation. In this family there are several pollination systems involving bees, hummingbirds, flies, and weevils, and it is unknown whether species that share similar pollinators and flowers are closely related. Broader relationships of the Rapateaceae and Bromeliaceae are of interest to plant biologists, and different morphological features support alternative hypotheses. A molecular phylogeny will provide a test of these hypotheses. Finally, this research will contribute to one of the world's largest live plant and frozen plant tissue collections. This collection will be a major contribution to the plant biology community.