Event Title
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.
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.