Molecular and Morphological Phylogeny of Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae)

Acalypha属，俗称copperleaf，是其科（Euphorbiaceae）中第四大属，约有450种。它在地理上分布广泛，原产于美洲（约占已知物种的三分之二）、非洲、亚洲、澳大利亚和太平洋岛屿。它在亚热带和热带地区最为丰富和多样。有些种类在本地和农业系统中是有问题的杂草，而另一些则是罕见的；其中两种是常见的观赏植物，越来越多的证据表明，一些物种含有潜在的药物。不幸的是，Acalypha的分类在超过75年的时间里没有被修订，并且被怀疑不能很好地反映真实的关系。该属的生态、保护、病虫害管理和医学研究因分类不佳而受到阻碍。Drs。伊利诺斯大学的Levin和Steinmann以及墨西哥生态学研究所打算解决这个问题，并通过使用DNA序列数据和形态学来重建该属的大样本的系统发育或进化史，从而更好地了解该属的进化。结合野外工作和现有的收集，他们将检查大约三分之二的物种。两个基因（核ITS和质体ndhF）的形态学数据和序列数据将分别分析和组合，以重建属内的关系。研究结果将用于修订分类和评估黄铜叶进化的各个方面，特别是生长形式和生殖组织的变化。研究人员将开发一个网站来发布这个项目的结果以及未来对仙人掌果的研究结果。这个项目意义重大，因为它开发了人力资源，加强了对一个鲜为人知的群体的研究，促进了进一步的研究，并促进了保护和虫害管理。很少有系统学家研究大戟科，特别是考虑到大戟科是开花植物的第七大科，有7000多种。该项目通过为一名研究生和一名年轻研究员（Victor Steinmann博士）提供培训，帮助解决了这一问题。通过为其他不同群体的研究提供框架，将刺激进一步的科学工作。由于它的花很简单，但在植物上的组织方式却多种多样，因此它可以成为应用新开发的基因组技术来理解花发育进化的一个模式群，但前提是有一个良好的系统发育支持来提供进化背景。此外，莱文和斯坦曼的工作将有更广泛的社会效益。一个现代的、得到充分支持的分类将有助于稀有物种的保护、农业杂草和入侵物种的管理以及药物的寻找。

0128872 Levin The genus Acalypha, commonly known as copperleaf, is the fourth largest genus in its family (Euphorbiaceae) with about 450 species. It is widespread geographically, with species native to the Americas (about two-thirds of the known species), Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. It is most abundant and diverse in subtropical and tropical regions. Some species are problematic weeds in native and agricultural systems, whereas others are rare; two are common ornamentals, and there is growing evidence that some species contain potential pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, the taxonomy of Acalypha has not been revised in more than 75 years and is suspected to reflect true relationships poorly. Ecological, conservation, pest management, and medical research on the genus are being hindered by the poor classification. Drs. Levin and Steinmann at the University of Illinois and the Institute of Ecology in Mexico intend to address this issue and provide better understanding of the evolution of the genus by using DNA sequence data and morphology to reconstruct the phylogeny, or evolutionary history, of a large sample of the genus. Combining field work and existing collections, they will examine about two-thirds of the species. Morphological data and sequence data from two genes (nuclear ITS and plastid ndhF) will be analyzed separately and in combination to reconstruct relationships within the genus. The results will then be used to revise the classification and assess various aspects of copperleaf evolution, particularly changes in growth form and reproductive organization. The investigators will develop a web site to distribute the results of this project and of future studies of Acalypha. This project is significant because it develops human resources, strengthens research on a poorly known group, stimulates further research, and facilitates conservation and pest management. Very few systematists work on Euphorbiaceae, especially given that the family is the seventh largest family of flowering plants with over 7,000 species. This project helps address this issue by providing training to a graduate student and a young researcher (Dr. Victor Steinmann). Further scientific work will be stimulated by providing the framework for other studies on a diverse group. Because of its simple flowers but varied ways of organizing them on the plant, Acalypha could become a model group for applying newly developed genomic techniques to understanding the evolution of floral development, but only if a well-supported phylogeny is available to provide the evolutionary context. In addition, Levin's and Steinmann's work will have broader societal benefits. A modern, well-supported classification will facilitate conservation of rare species, management of agricultural weeds and invasive species, and the search for pharmaceuticals.