A5034019669- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Plant and animal studies
- Botanical Research and Applications
- Fern and Epiphyte Biology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Botany and Geology in Latin America and Caribbean
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Chemical synthesis and alkaloids
- Plant responses to water stress
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
University of North Carolina Wilmington
2015-2025
University of KwaZulu-Natal
2022
California Academy of Sciences
2008-2014
Golden Gate University
2008-2014
University of Florida
2004-2008
Universidade Federal do Paraná
2008
New York Botanical Garden
2008
Phylogenetic relationships within Miconia and other genera in the Neotropical tribe Miconieae were investigated using a maximum parsimony analysis of nuclear internal transcribed spacer ndhF nucleotide sequences. Included all sections (212 species, ∼20% genus) 12 15 remaining assigned to (an additional 239 species). Given tribe's reputation for problematic generic distinctions, it was not surprising that most traditionally recognized taxonomic groups—both sections—were shown be polyphyletic...
In this study we present a phylogenetic analysis of Melastomeae, focusing on the Neotropical members tribe, group c. 70 species in 30 genera. total, 236 species, including outgroups (Miconieae and Merianieae) representatives Microlicieae Rhexieae, were sequenced for nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), plastid spacers accD-psaI psbK-psbL. Melastomeae are not resolved as monophyletic because mostly herbs small trees with tetramerous flowers (Acanthella, Aciotis, Acisanthera,...
Premise To further advance the understanding of species‐rich, economically and ecologically important angiosperm order Myrtales in rosid clade, comprising nine families, approximately 400 genera almost 14,000 species occurring on all continents (except Antarctica), we tested Angiosperms353 probe kit. Methods We combined high‐throughput sequencing target enrichment with kit to evaluate a sample 485 across 305 (76% order). Results provide most comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis for date....
Evolutionary shifts from bee to vertebrate pollination are common in tropical mountains. Reduction efficiency under adverse montane weather conditions was proposed drive these shifts. Although pollinator central the evolution and diversification of angiosperms, we lack experimental evidence ecological processes underlying such Here, combine phylogenetic distributional data for 138 species Neotropical plant tribe Merianieae (Melastomataceae) with observations 11 field experiments six test...
Miconieae is the most diverse tribe of Melastomataceae, with 30 genera and over 2200 species. The characterized by fleshy fruits partially to totally inferior ovaries. To test monophyly assess phylogenetic relationships within it, sequence data from nrITS were gathered analyzed for 110 taxa in 32 putative outgroups. not resolved as monophyletic, but rather composed two distinct clades: one cauliflorous Henriettea, Henriettella, Loreya Bellucia , a second clade all other Miconieae, sister...
Summary Pollination syndromes describe recurring adaptation to selection imposed by distinct pollinators. We tested for pollination in Merianieae (Melastomataceae), which contain bee‐ (buzz‐), hummingbird‐, flowerpiercer‐, passerine‐, bat‐ and rodent‐pollinated species. Further, we explored trait changes correlated with the repeated shifts away from buzz‐pollination, represents an ‘adaptive plateau’ Melastomataceae. used random forest analyses identify key traits associated different...
Abstract Strophostyles helvola is a close relative to common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) and inhabits both coastal non-coastal regions in North America. However, the mechanism of saline adaptation S. remains unclear. A transcriptome profiling would facilitate dissecting underlying molecular mechanisms salinity-adapted . In this study, we reported RNA-seq analyses two genotypes (a salt-tolerant beach genotype salt-sensitive inland genotype) stressed with salt. plants were grown pots treated...
Abstract Angiosperm flowers have diversified in adaptation to pollinators, but are also shaped by developmental and genetic histories. The relative importance of these factors structuring floral diversity remains unknown. We assess the effects development, function evolutionary history testing competing hypotheses on modularity shape evolution Merianieae (Melastomataceae). characterized different pollinator selection regimes a constraint: tubular anthers adapted specialized buzz-pollination....
Abstract With nearly 2,000 species, all restricted to the Neotropics, Miconieae represent largest radiation within Melastomataceae. Generic limits and relationships tribe have long been contested. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses of tribe, based on sequences nrITS ndhF, resulted in consistent support for a clade comprising Bellucia, Loreya, Henriettea, Henriettella, which is neither nested nor sister Miconieae. Furthermore, upon series presumably synapomorphic anatomical morphological...
Floral adaptation to a single most effective functional pollinator group leads specialized pollination syndromes. However, adaptations allowing for by two groups (bimodal systems) remain rarely investigated conundrum. We tested whether floral scent and nectar traits of species visited indicate specialization on either the or both systems). studied biology in four Meriania (Melastomataceae) Ecuadorian Andes. Pollinator observations exclusion experiments showed that each was effectively...
Most neotropical Melastomataceae have bee-pollinated flowers with poricidal anthers. However, nectar rewards are known to be produced in about 80 species eight genera from four different tribes. These nectar-producing pollinated by both vertebrates and invertebrates.The floral morphology anatomy of 14 was studied six (Blakea, Brachyotum, Charianthus, Huilaea, Meriania Miconia). Anatomical methods included scanning electron microscopy, serial sections paraffin-embedded flowers.All...
Blakeeae (Melastomataceae) are a Neotropical tribe of mostly hemiepiphytic woody plants that frequently form domatia harboring mites or ants in mutualistic associations. The comprises 10 species Chalybea and Huilaea nearly 200 Blakea Topobea. Key characters separating the latter two genera pertain to anther morphology; however, numerous have been discovered with intermediate forms, thus making an already dubious distinction even more doubtful. In order test monophyly Topobea, we conducted...
The following guide is aimed at aiding in the curation of herbarium collections Melastomataceae, with an emphasis on New World species. It contains a summary taxonomic realignments tribal and generic level within Neotropical taxa as well some general comments for other groups. A table linear sequence also provided, tables new synonymized genera since 2005 all currently accepted Lastly, synonyms over 1000 species that have been impacted by these provided.
Several genera in the Melastomataceae mostly endemic to southeastern Brazil have not been assessed for their tribal placement a phylogenetic context. Most workers placed monotypic diminutive herb Lithobium Microlicieae, but some classifications assigned it either Sonerileae or Bertolonieae. Another genus, Eriocnema, has included Bertolonieae, Sonerileae, Microlicieae. Physeterostemon contains five species, and previously any tribe. Ochthephilus, genus Guyana, was Merianieae, lack of fruit...
Abstract The Dissochaeta alliance (= subtribe Dissochaetinae) is a group of woody climbing taxa within tribe Dissochaeteae (Melastomataceae) and comprises 90 species mainly distributed in Southeast Asia. circumscription the its genera has been problematic when based on only morphological characters. With broad sampling relevant taxa, this study aims at natural revised generic delimitation alliance. A molecular phylogeny two nuclear (nrETS, nrITS) four chloroplast ( ndhF , psbK‐psbL rbcL...
Premise of research. The Blakeeae (Melastomataceae) comprise nearly 200 species in Blakea and Topobea another 10 Chalybea Huilaea. former two genera have been separated primarily on the basis characters pertaining to anther morphology. Combined molecular morphological phylogenetic analyses were conducted evaluate generic limits, reconstruct patterns character evolution, identify clades within tribe.Methodology. To test monophyly Topobea, we analyzed 111 characters, nuclear ribosomal internal...