DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Comparative phylogeography of Erigonum (Polygonaceae) endemic to California's Channel Islands

尽管岛屿长期以来一直被认为是进化研究的理想自然实验室，但与夏威夷等遥远岛屿上的岛屿相比，近岸岛屿的进化模式和过程相对未经研究。近岸岛屿可能经历更高的殖民率和随后的人口之间的基因流动，因此彼此之间以及与大陆亲属之间的进化分化较小。然而，这些预测在很大程度上仍未得到检验。这项研究将调查加州海峡群岛特有的本地荞麦的殖民和分化模式。了解小地理距离上的基因流动和分化模式，将使我们能够更细致地理解岛屿地区和离大陆的距离如何影响岛屿和其他与世隔绝的地区的进化动态。该项目将促进对海峡群岛独特植物区系的欣赏，其结果将立即适用于稀有海峡岛屿荞麦的管理。此外，所开发的分子方法将加强对其他珍稀岛屿植物的保护研究。该项目将通过为南达科他州大学的学生提供本科生研究机会和教学模块来加强科学教育。南达科他州大学是一所以本科生为主的农村院校，为高比例的第一代大学生提供服务。资金还将通过外展活动丰富当地的K-12教育，并为海峡岛自然历史项目提供解释性信息。

Although islands have long been recognized as ideal natural laboratories for evolutionary studies, evolutionary patterns and processes on near shore islands are relatively unexamined compared to those on distant islands, such as Hawaii. Near shore islands are likely to experience higher rates of colonization and subsequent gene flow among populations, and thus exhibit less evolutionary differentiation from each other and from mainland relatives. These predictions, however, remain largely untested. This study will investigate the patterns of colonization and divergence among native buckwheats endemic to California's Channel Islands. Understanding the patterns of gene flow and differentiation over small geographic distances will allow a more nuanced understanding of how island area and distance from the mainland affect evolutionary dynamics on islands and other isolated areas. The project will promote appreciation of the unique Channel Islands flora and the findings will be immediately applicable to the management of rare Channel Island buckwheats. Moreover, the molecular methods developed will enhance conservation studies of other rare island plants. The project will enhance science education by providing undergraduate research opportunities and instructional modules for students at the University of South Dakota, a rural predominantly undergraduate institution that serves a high proportion of first generation college students. Funding also will enrich local K-12 education through outreach activities and supply interpretive information for Channel Island natural history programs.