Dissertation Research: Biodiversity and Systematics of Disterigma (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae), a Neotropical Blueberry

Disterigma是新热带区蓝莓的一个属，生长在受到威胁的北方安第斯云雾林。将进行形态和分子研究，以了解各种物种的特征，多样性，栖息地和特有性。将对来自欧洲主要植物标本馆的标本进行检查，并对从实地收集的样本进行新的观察和分析。该项目将以新热带区Disterigma的出版修订作为结束。这是新热带区蓝莓科（杜鹃花科）一个属的首次系统修订，结合了传统形态学和现代分子分析。这项研究的数据将提供一个框架，用于检验安第斯植物的物种形成和物种地理学的假设。修订版将包含描述、检索表、插图、分布图和识别物种所需的插图。它还将提供有关的栖息地，保护状况和使用的Distigma的信息。这方面的工作是必不可少的评估和保护的13个物种受到威胁和20个有限制的分布。这项研究将有助于证明保护正在发生变化的地区不受人类占领增加的影响是合理的。研究结果将提高公众对安第斯生物多样性的认识，并迫切需要保护它。

Disterigma, a genus of Neotropical blueberries, grows in the threatened northern Andean cloud forests. Morphological and molecular studies will be conducted to understand the characteristics, diversity, habitat, and endemism of the various species. Specimens from major European herbaria will be examined and new observations and analyses will be made from samples collected from the field. The project will conclude with a published revision of Disterigma for the Neotropics.This is the first systematic revision of a genus in the Blueberry Family (Ericaceae) from the Neotropics that combines traditional morphology and modern molecular analysis. Data from this study will provide a framework for testing hypotheses of speciation and biogeography in Andean plants. The revision will contain descriptions, keys, illustrations, distribution maps, and illustrations needed to identify species. It will also provide information about the habitat, conservation status, and uses of Disterigma. This aspect of the work is essential for the assessment and conservation of the thirteen species that are threatened and the twenty that have restricted distributions. This study will help to justify the protection of areas that are undergoing change from increased human occupation. Results will raise public awareness about Andean biodiversity and the urgent need to preserve it.