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
Pollination studies in ProstantheraDr Barry Conn - Principal Research Scientist and Trevor Wilson - PhD student Part of the research program towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Trevor Wilson (University of Sydney) is to test if pollinators and phylogenetic relationships can be correctly inferred from the design of flowers. It is hoped that it will be possible to infer the evolutionary history of pollination characteristics within Prostanthera and to suggest how pollination has developed within this genus. During the year, the pollination of Prostanthera sieberi, P. rotundifolia and P. lasianthos (all thought to be insect-pollinated), and P. monticola and P. porcata (both presumed to be bird-pollinated) were analysed. It was observed that all of these species attract their expected pollinators, but P. lasianthos also attracts birds, such as silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) and spinebills (Ancanthorhyncus tenuirostris). These results are being considered within the framework of a molecular phylogeny, based on ETS nuclear and trnT–F chloroplast data. The monophyly of the bird-pollinated Prostantheras (section Klanderia) and the bird-pollinated group (section Prostanthera) has not received strong support so other genetic markers are being considered. Trevor is co-supervised by Dr Barry Conn of Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, and Murray Henwood (University of Sydney). |
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