Phylogenetic and Monographic Studies in the Tribe Aeschynomeneae: Classification, Character Evolution, and Biogeography in the Legume Family (Leguminosae)

9615203植物物种的清查和分析，特别是热带植物物种的清查和分析，仍然是植物学家目前面临的挑战。蒙大拿州立大学的马特·拉文博士正在继续他对豆科大家族的研究，重点是Aeschynomeneae部落，其中包括著名的粮食作物(如花生、花生属)和饲料作物(如柱花草属)。利用核糖体基因DNA测序的形态证据和新的分子特征进行系统发育分析，以构建目前归入该蝶形类群的许多属的系谱关系框架，并对几个怀疑属于该族但目前归入其他族的属进行测试。这些植物可能包括在阿根廷和智利安第斯山脉的干旱地区占据主导地位的一种植物--黄檀属，以及包括珍贵红木物种的黄檀属。对于该组中选定的5个属，Belairia、Pictetia、Chaetocalyx、Fiebrigiella和Nissolia，估计总共包括40个左右的物种，将编写分类专著，以总结这些属所有物种的生物学知识，并附上关于栖息地、地理范围、学名的同义词、本地名称和用途以及识别检索表的数据。这项研究的意义包括通过澄清Aeschynomeneae之间的系统发育关系促进整个豆科更高水平的系统发育分析，其中可能包括约10%的蝶形目豆科植物。此外，这些豆科植物传统上重要的分类特征，如离生雄蕊和长生豆荚，可能比之前认为的更容易发生独立(平行)进化和次生损失。该部落的许多属将有可能更准确地评估物种多样性和地理分布，其中的植物是新热带干燥森林S的常见组成部分。物种水平的专题研究将为测试中南美洲和加勒比海地区植被变化历史上的生物地理格局提供数据。

9615203 Lavin The inventory and analysis of plant species, especially in the tropics, remain current challenges for botanical scientists. Dr. Matt Lavin of Montana State University is continuing his studies of the large legume family, focusing on the tribe Aeschynomeneae that includes well known food crops (like peanut, genus Arachis) and forage crops (like the genus Stylosanthes). A phylogenetic analysis using both morphological evidence and new molecular characters from DNA sequencing of nuclear ribosomal genes is proposed to construct a framework of genealogical relationships for the many genera currently placed in this papilionoid group, and to test several genera suspected of belonging within the tribe but currently placed in others. These likely include Adesmia, a genus of plants that dominate the landscape in drier regions of the Andean cordillera of Argentina and Chile, and also Dalbergia, the genus that includes species of valuable rosewood. For five selected genera within the group, Belairia, Pictetia, Chaetocalyx, Fiebrigiella, and Nissolia, estimated to encompass 40 or so species collectively, taxonomic monographs will be produced, to summarize biological knowledge of all the species in these genera, with accompanying data on habitats, geographic ranges, synonymy of scientific names, local names and uses, and identification keys. The significance of the study includes facilitating higher level phylogenetic analyses of the entire legume family by clarifying phylogenetic relationships among the Aeschynomeneae, which likely includes about 10% of the papilionoid legumes. Also, traditionally important taxonomic characters of these legumes, like free stamens and lomented pods, may be shown to be prone to higher rates of independent (parallel) evolution and secondary loss than previously thought. More accurate assessment of species diversity and geographic distribution will be possible for many of the genera in the tribe, plants of which are common components of neotropical dry forest s. The species-level monographic studies will provide data for tests of biogeographic patterns in the history of vegetation changes in Central and South America and the Caribbean.