Taxonomic Revision, Phylogenetic Analysis, and Leaf Evolution in Elaphoglossum sect. Squamipedia (Dryopteridaceae)

该项目使用协同方法来了解蕨类植物的生物多样性和进化，蕨类植物是陆地植物区系的主要组成部分，并将重点放在Elphoglossum属的一组热带蕨类植物上。海龙舌属植物有600多种，其中绝大多数种类的特征是单叶。然而，在Elapholgosum中有一个群，即Squamipedia组，有3种具有复叶。该项目试图在首先发现这些植物之间的进化关系后，了解这些不同叶片形态的遗传基础。将通过田野调查、植物标本收集和形态分析对Elaphoglossum组的所有物种进行名录和描述，随后将对DNA序列进行分析，以建立系统发育假说。通过克隆候选叶基因，并在复叶和单叶物种中进行比较表达和发育分析，将研究狭叶蕨组蕨叶多样性的遗传基础。这些研究对于了解陆地植物叶片进化和发育的一般模式是不可或缺的。这项研究将启动系统学家Pi Moran和发育生物学家Co-Pi Ambrose之间的合作。这项提议将为一名来自拉丁美洲的女性博士后助理提供跨学科培训。在实地考察中，该协会将在厄瓜多尔基多的天主教大学教授一门关于蕨类植物和石蒜的课程。该协会还将与纽约蕨类学会的成员合作，研究舌兰的形态。Co-Pi参与NYBG暑期实习计划，该计划为高中生和本科生提供研究经验。这项研究的所有结果将在Elaphoglossum网页网站(http://sweetgum.nybg.org/elaphoglossum/index.php)和同行评议的科学期刊上公布。

The project uses a synergistic approach to understand the biodiversity and evolution of ferns, a major component of the land flora and will focus on a group of tropical ferns within the genus Elaphoglossum. There are more than 600 species of Elaphoglossum and the vast majority of these species are characterized by simple leaves. However, there is a group within Elapholgossum, section Squamipedia, that has 3 species with compound leaves. The project seeks to understand the genetic basis of these diverse leaf morphologies after first discovering the evolutionary relationships among these plants. All the species in Elaphoglossum section Squamipedia will be inventoried and described using field work, herbarium collections and morphological analyses, followed by analysis of DNA sequences that will develop phylogenetic hypotheses. The genetic basis of fern leaf diversity in section Squamipedia will be examined by cloning candidate leaf genes and performing comparative expression and developmental analyses in compound and simple leaved species. These studies are integral for understanding general patterns of leaf evolution and development in land plants.This study will initiate a collaboration between PI Moran, a systematist, and Co-PI Ambrose, a developmental biologist. This proposal will provide interdisciplinary training for a female postdoctoral associate from Latin America. In connection with the field work, the PI will teach a course on ferns and lycophytes at the Catholic University in Quito, Ecuador. The PI will also work with members of the New York Fern Society on Elaphoglossum morphology. The Co-PI participates in the NYBG summer internship program that provides research experience for high school and undergraduate students. All results of the study will be made publicly available on the Elaphoglossum Pages Web site (http://sweetgum.nybg.org/elaphoglossum/index.php) and in peer-reviewed scientific journals.