ARTS: Collaborative Research: A model systematic treatment of a hyper-diverse lineage descended from early land plants (Frullania, Frullaniaceae, Marchantiophyta).

研究人员将对一组高度多样化的早期陆地植物--苔属Frullania进行现代和新颖的分类学处理。地钱（地钱门）是我们理解早期陆地植物进化的关键，并作为世界许多地区植被的重要组成部分而存在。该项目代表了对一种多叶苔属的前所未有的大规模调查，所谓的多叶苔是因为多叶的植物结构。分类学的结论将从一个多方面的数据集得出，包括形态学，野外工作，实验生长研究，以及DNA序列数据，和使用DNA微卫星标记的种群研究。重要的是，该项目将广泛利用计算机和基于网络的工具，以帮助提供生物多样性数据，生物学家，生态学家，保护主义者和公众。该项目继续与生命百科全书等国际数据库活动建立强有力的伙伴关系。该项目为年轻科学家提供基于博物馆收藏品的研究方面的关键培训。该项目的独特之处在于建立了一个强大的机构网络，参与科学服务和服务学习计划，将科学与培训联系起来。该项目有一个强有力的外联战略，包括豆荚和视频广播，促进世界植物教育家指南，并参加教育家开放日，包括300多名芝加哥地区的教育工作者。参与这项研究的科学家还将提供一个地钱鉴定领域的课程。

Researchers will conduct a modern and novel taxonomic treatment of a hyper-diverse group of early land plants the liverwort genus Frullania. Liverworts (Marchantiophyta) are pivotal in our understanding of early land plant evolution and exist as important components of the vegetation in many regions of the world. The project represents an unprecedented investigation of this scale on a leafy liverwort genus, so-called because of the leafy plant structure. Taxonomic conclusions will be drawn from a multi-faceted data set, including morphology, fieldwork, experimental growth studies, as well as DNA sequence data, and population studies using DNA microsatellite markers.Importantly, the project will extensively utilize computer and web-based tools to help furnish biodiversity data to biologists, ecologists, conservationists, and the public. The project continues strong partnerships with international databasing activities such as the Encyclopedia of Life. The project provides critical training to young scientists in museum collections-based research. Unique to the project is the development of a strong network of institutions, participating in Service to Science and Service Learning programs bridging science and training. The project has a strong outreach strategy including pod and video casts, contributing to Plants of the World Educator Guide, and participation in the Educator Open House, including over 300 Chicago-area educators. The scientists involves in this research will also provide a liverwort identification field course.