Determination of Phylogenetic Relationships among Members of the Plant Genus Billbergia (family Bromeliaceae)

Presentation Type

Poster/Portfolio

Presenter Major(s)

Biology

Mentor Information

Timothy Evans, evanstim@gvsu.edu

Department

Biology

Location

Kirkhof Center KC10

Start Date

13-4-2011 11:00 AM

End Date

13-4-2011 12:00 PM

Abstract

Bromeliaceae is a large and ecologically diverse plant family found nearly exclusively in the New World. The family, with approximately 3000 species, includes the pineapple and Spanish moss. Billbergia, a member of subfamily of Bromelioideae, has sixty four species all living in South America. Due to difficulties in using morphological and anatomical characteristics to establish phylogenetic relationships among species in Bromeliaceae, studies are underway to use molecular data for phylogenetic reconstruction. This study focused on the phylogenetic relationships of species within Billbergia. Two chloroplast-encoded genes, ndhF and rbcL, are being sequenced in species of Billbergia to determine if the genus is monophyletic and to infer relationships among species. Previous molecular studies of the genus have suggested that the genus is not monophyletic, and it is hoped that inclusion of rbcL and ndhF will provide a greater degree of phylogenetic resolution in the genus.

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Apr 13th, 11:00 AM Apr 13th, 12:00 PM

Determination of Phylogenetic Relationships among Members of the Plant Genus Billbergia (family Bromeliaceae)

Kirkhof Center KC10

Bromeliaceae is a large and ecologically diverse plant family found nearly exclusively in the New World. The family, with approximately 3000 species, includes the pineapple and Spanish moss. Billbergia, a member of subfamily of Bromelioideae, has sixty four species all living in South America. Due to difficulties in using morphological and anatomical characteristics to establish phylogenetic relationships among species in Bromeliaceae, studies are underway to use molecular data for phylogenetic reconstruction. This study focused on the phylogenetic relationships of species within Billbergia. Two chloroplast-encoded genes, ndhF and rbcL, are being sequenced in species of Billbergia to determine if the genus is monophyletic and to infer relationships among species. Previous molecular studies of the genus have suggested that the genus is not monophyletic, and it is hoped that inclusion of rbcL and ndhF will provide a greater degree of phylogenetic resolution in the genus.