Science
- Evolutionary ecology research
- Horticultural research
- Plant diversity research
- Amalie Dietrich project
- Australian freshwater algae
- Australian mesic zone biota
- Biology of Myrtaceae
- Bryophytes
- Cycad evolution and diversity
- Cyperaceae
- DNA of ground orchids
- DNA studies of Restionaceae
- Ecdeiocoleaceae
- Evolution of Australian Utricularia
- Evolution of Proteaceae
- Fern biodiversity of Australia
- Indigofera
- Key to the Lichen Genus Pertusaria
- Lamiaceae & Urticaceae
- Lamiaceae
- Lejeuneaceae
- Lepidoziaceae - southern liverworts
- Marine algae
- New Species and phylogeny in Restionaceae
- Phylogenetic biome conservatism
- Phylogeny and new species of Australian Utricularia
- Phylogeny of Orchidaceae tribe Diurideae
- Poales
- Pollination studies in Prostanthera
- Project Camellia
- Rutaceae
- She-oaks - tough survivors
- Telopea special edition
- Theaceae of South-East Asia
- Trees of Papua New Guinea
- Tristaniopsis in south-east Asia
- Urticaceae of Java
- XVIII International Botanical Congress
- Plant pathology research
- Herbarium & resources
- Scientific publications
LamiaceaeDr Barry J Conn - Senior Principal Research Scientist Research into the systematics of the Australian Lamiaceae has continued, with a focus on the phylogeny of the large endemic subfamily Prostantheroideae. Molecular sequence data have been evaluated to reveal the phylogeny of the tribe Westringeae, with particular attention on the phylogeny of Prostanthera, the native mintbushes. The species of Prostanthera are traditionally classified into two sections based on floral morphological features that distinguish insect pollinated plants from birth pollinated ones. The molecular data provides a framework in which floral and other morphological diversity, plus the evolution of morphological features will be interpreted. This research program is part of a long-term collaboration with Drs Trevor Wilson and Murray Henwood (both the University of Sydney). The evaluation of the systematics and phylogeny of many poorly understood species has been included in this research program. The status of plants informally referred to as Prostanthera sp.aff. linearis have been clarified as a new undescribed species, P. tallowa. This species is only known from near the Tallowa Reservoir and, although its conservation status is unknown, it is likely to be at least vulnerable. Molecular sequence data is being used to evaluate the status of the critically endangered species P. marifolia and its sister species, P. densa. Undescribed species from far northern Queensland are being evaluated and prepared for formal publication. The efforts of this collaborative research program have been rewarded with a three-year Post-doctoral Research Fellowship by the ABRS National Taxonomy Research Grants Program (Australian Biological Resources Study). Dr Wilson has been appointed to this fellowship and will continue phylogenetic research of the Westringieae, amounting to approximately 300 species. Molecular and morphological data will be examined to resolve relationships and species boundaries. This will be the first comprehensive revision of this group since the pioneering publications of the 1800s. In addition to documenting and improving our understanding of Australia’s floral diversity, this project will describe species of high conservation value as well as make discoveries about pollination and evolution of Australian flora. |
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