SG: ARTS: Toward a monographic treatment of Calyceraceae: fieldwork, phylogeny, and character evolution

比较生物学的基础建立在对进化过程中产生的生物相似性和差异性的研究之上。比较方法在生物多样性研究中的一个重要应用是姐妹谱系的比较，姐妹谱系是彼此关系最近的群体，它们经历了非常不同的进化历史。通过比较这些血统的命运，科学家们能够理解为什么有些人成功了，而另一些人却没有。一个突出的例子是向日葵科，菊科，以及它不太为人所知的姐妹科，萼花科。菊科是最成功的植物科之一，有超过20,000种分布在世界各地，包括许多经济上重要的植物，如向日葵、雏菊、生菜、洋蓟和蒲公英。另一方面，萼萼科的进化只产生了56种，都在南美洲南部发现。尽管种类众多，但研究人员正在发展对这个家族的理解。然而，人们对花萼科植物的进化轨迹和特征知之甚少。这个研究项目将进一步了解这两个家族的共同祖先是什么样的。这将使我们能够仔细分析哪些变化使菊科成功地产生了巨大的多样性，包括发展了经济上重要的性状，以及哪些变化抑制了萼花科的多样化。该项目将促进两国科学家、研究生和本科生之间的互动，从而加强国际合作和文化意识。将与阿根廷的研究人员合作进行实地工作，收集花萼科的56种植物。该材料将用于生成分子系统发育和形态特征矩阵。将进行叶绿体和核基因的比较DNA测序，以推断该家族的系统发育关系。此外，还将生成一个包含重要花和果实特征的形态性状矩阵，并结合系统发育对其进行分析，以研究萼花科植物性状状态的演化。这些关于萼萼科的数据将补充已经可用的关于菊科的知识，从而解决强大的比较生物学问题。花萼科所有物种之间的系统发育关系是什么？萼萼科植物的祖先花和果实的性状状态是什么？这些与星科植物有什么关系？研究的最终成果包括双语分类修订，包括二分法和多键法，将提供印刷版和电子版。为了增加代表性不足群体的参与，学生将通过杨百翰大学的多元文化学生中心招募。嘉宾演讲和实验室练习将与两名地区高中教师一起开发国家核心能力。杨百翰大学生命科学博物馆（BYU Life Science Museum）也将使用适合年龄的材料，开发一个旋转展览，该博物馆是K-12学生经常光顾的地方。

The foundation of comparative biology rests on the investigation of organismal similarities and differences that are generated through evolutionary processes. One important application of the comparative method in the study of biodiversity is the comparison of sister lineages, groups which are each other's closest relative, that have undergone very different evolutionary histories. By comparing the fates of these lineages, scientists are able to understand why some are successful and others are not. A prominent example is the sunflower family, the Asteraceae, and its less well-known sister family, the Calyceraceae. The Asteraceae has been one of the most successful plant families with over 20,000 species spread throughout the world, including many economically important plants, such as sunflowers, daises, lettuce, artichokes and dandelions. The evolution of the Calyceraceae on the other hand has resulted in only 56 species, all found in southern South America. Despite the large number of species, Asteraceae researchers are developing an understanding of the family?s evolutionary trajectory and traits, however little is known about the Calyceraceae. This research project will develop an understanding of what the common ancestor of these two families was like. This will allow a careful analysis of which changes allowed the Asteraceae to succeed in generating great diversity, including developing economically important traits, and which inhibited Calyceraceae diversification. This project will foster interactions among scientists, graduate, and undergraduate students in two countries, thus enhancing international collaboration and cultural awareness. Field work will be undertaken in collaboration with researchers in Argentina to collect the 56 species of the Calyceraceae. This material will be used to generate a molecular phylogeny and a morphological trait matrix. Comparative DNA sequencing of both chloroplast and nuclear genes will be undertaken to infer phylogenetic relationships in the family. Additionally a morphological trait matrix, of important flower and fruit characteristics, will be generated and analyzed in conjunction with the phylogeny to study the evolution of character states in the Calyceraceae. This data on the Calyceraceae will complement the knowledge already available for the Asteraceae allowing for addressing powerful comparative biology questions. What are the phylogenetic relationships among all species of Calyceraceae? What are the ancestral floral and fruit character traits states in Calyceraceae and how do these relate to those in the Asteraceae? The final products of the research include bilingual taxonomic revision, including dichotomous and polyclave keys, which will be made available in both print and electronic versions. To increase participation by underrepresented groups, students will be recruited via Brigham Young University's Multicultural Student Center. Guest presentations and lab exercises covering state-core competencies will be developed with two area high school instructors. A rotating display will also be developed, using age-appropriate materials, for the BYU Life Science Museum, which is heavily visited by K-12 students.