A5090811920- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Plant and animal studies
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Plant Pathogens and Resistance
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Environmental and Cultural Studies in Latin America and Beyond
- Botanical Research and Applications
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Yeasts and Rust Fungi Studies
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Plant Ecology and Taxonomy Studies
- Fecal contamination and water quality
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
University of the South Pacific
2008-2024
Massey University
1999-2022
Nanyang Technological University
2021
Ministry of Health and Sports
2021
University of Otago
2021
Unitec Institute of Technology
2015-2017
Palmerston North Hospital
2017
Ecosystèmes, Biodiversité, Evolution
2015
Université de Rennes
2015
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2015
Abstract Aim Recent studies suggest that if constrained by prevailing wind or ocean currents dispersal may produce predictable, repeated distribution patterns. Dispersal mediated the West Wind Drift (WWD) and Antarctic Circumpolar Current (AAC) has often been invoked to explain floristic similarities of Australia, South America New Zealand. If these systems have important vectors then eastward – from Australia Zealand western Pacific is expected predominate. We investigate whether...
Kauri ( Agathis australis ), which is one of the world's largest and longest‐living conifer species, under threat from a root collar dieback disease caused by oomycete pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida . The noted incidence kauri has increased in past decade, even trees >1000 years old are not immune. This profound effects on both forest ecosystems human society, particularly indigenous Māori, for whom taonga or treasure immense significance. review brings together existing scientific...
Despite an improving knowledge of species distribution patterns in the Neotropics, processes that underlie these remain uncertain. The tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae), with 21 genera and c. 400 species, is largest clade lianas Neotropics. group excellent model for biogeographical evolutionary studies as it widely distributed exhibits high levels morphological diversity. Here, we investigate history using a tribe-wide time-calibrated phylogenetic tree basis ancestral area reconstructions. We...
Improved knowledge of Dipsacales phylogeny provides a solid framework for studies character evolution. Although the polarity many characters can now be confidently established, others it remains unclear. This results largely from uncertainty about broader relationships and is especially problematic that differentiate two basal lineages, Adoxaceae Caprifoliaceae. Within Caprifoliaceae, changes in stamen number became decoupled corolla evolution, reduction five to four stamens, coinciding with...
We investigated Viburnum phylogeny using separate and combined analyses of DNA sequence data from two chloroplast three nuclear loci. Separate sets resulted in gene trees that were generally congruent with one another previous analyses. Our do differ the position section Pseudotinus, as well species relationships within sections Pseudotinus Lentago. However, tests for incongruence indicate differences between are not significant. Furthermore, highly similar to those found analyses,...
Abstract Aim Dispersal explains the disjunct distributions of many austral plant lineages. However, role Antarctica is largely uncertain and routes dispersal have remained speculative. Based on niche conservatism we can make predictions about timing disjunction establishment, as well availability direct transoceanic, Antarctic stepping‐stone, out‐of‐Antarctica over time. We evaluate these using molecular divergence time estimates for establishment across multiple Location Southern...
The root rot causing oomycete, Phytophthora agathidicida, threatens the long-term survival of iconic New Zealand kauri. Currently, testing for this pathogen involves an extended soil bioassay that takes 14–20 days and requires specialised staff, consumables, infrastructure. Here we describe a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay detection P. agathidicida targets portion mitochondrial apocytochrome b coding sequence. This has high specificity sensitivity; it did not cross react...
Phylogenetic analyses of chloroplast trnK intron and nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA sequences yield signie cant improvements in our understanding relationships, character evolution, biogeography Viburnum (Adoxaceae). We cone rm that most the ten traditionally recognized sections are monophyletic. The striking exception is Odontotinus , which divided into: (i) a purple-fruited New World clade within Latin American section Oreinotinus nested, (ii) an Old World, mostly red-fruited closely related to...
During the late nineteenth century, Europeans introduced rabbits to many of sub-Antarctic islands, environments that prior this had been devoid mammalian herbivores. The impacts on indigenous ecosystems are well studied; notably, they cause dramatic changes in plant communities and promote soil erosion. However, responses fungal such biotic disturbances remain unexplored. We used metabarcoding extracellular DNA assess diversity at sites Kerguelen Islands with contrasting histories...
Although most often used to represent phylogenetic uncertainty, network methods are also potentially useful for describing the complexity expected characterize recent species radiations. One method with particular advantages in this context is split decomposition. However, its standard implementation approach limited by a conservative criterion branch length estimation. Here we extend utility of decomposition introducing least squares optimization technique correcting lengths that may be...
Phytophthora agathidicida is associated with a root rot that threatens the long-term survival of iconic New Zealand kauri. Although it widely assumed this pathogen arrived in post-1945, hypothesis has yet to be formally tested. Here we describe evolutionary analyses aimed at evaluating and two alternative hypotheses. As basis for our analyses, assembled complete mitochondrial genome sequences from 16 accessions representing geographic range P. as well those five other members clade 5. All 21...
Members of the Peronosporaceae (Oomycota, Chromista), which currently consists 25 genera and approximately 1,000 recognized species, are responsible for disease on a wide range plant hosts. Molecular phylogenetic analyses over last two decades have improved our understanding evolutionary relationships within Peronosporaceae. To date, 16 numbered three named clades been recognized; it is clear from these studies that current taxonomy does not reflect relationships. Whole organelle genome...
The Neotropical tribe Trimezieae are taxonomically difficult. They generally characterized by the absence of features used to delimit their sister group Tigridieae. Delimiting four genera that make up is also problematic. Previous family-level phylogenetic analyses have not examined monophyly or relationships within it. Reconstructing phylogeny will allow us evaluate status and examine suitability characters traditionally in taxonomy.Maximum parsimony Bayesian presented for 37 species...
Abstract Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae) is a morphologically highly variable species found in mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. For example, Zealand up to six distinct varieties of this have been described, although only two (var. var. incanum) are now formally recognized. In the present study we provide first examination genetic diversity culturally commercially important with aim gaining insights into its origins evolution. We used anchored hybrid enrichment acquire...
A Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of pine pathogen Dothistroma septosporum (G. Dorog.) M. Morelet. The specificity LAMP tested using a selection needle fungi, including pini Hulbary, and Lecanosticta acicola (Thüm.) Syd.; only D. DNA amplified by test. In terms sensitivity, able to detect as little 1 pg total DNA. This enables extracted from diseased host needles be rapidly presence relatively simple operate equipment away fully equipped...
Abstract We describe the types of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers that we have isolated using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) in closely related taxa from diverse plant genera. With these markers, both inter‐ and intraspecific differences been identified. The characterization nucleotide sequences such AFLP‐derived PCR is promising for investigating ecology evolution taxa.
Abstract Aim Despite an improved understanding of Southern Hemisphere plant biogeography, the origins and evolution sub‐Antarctic floras remain poorly studied. Here, we investigate historical biogeography representatives genus Ranunculus . We aimed to establish when from where ranunculi originated as well examine extent which ecomorphological traits explain contemporary biogeographical patterns. Location temperate zones. Methods first estimated a dated phylogeny for using combined...