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
DNA studies of the RestionaceaeDr Barbara Briggs, Honorary Research Associate & Dr Adam Marchant Continuing their studies on Restionaceae, Dr Adam Marchant and Dr Barbara Briggs assembled sequence data from chloroplast DNA from further species. Assisted by Dr Andrew Perkins, they developed phylogenies showing the relationships between Australian genera and species and considered the status of the group of diminutive plants known as the Centrolepidaceae. The findings suggest that the Centrolepidaceae should be regarded as a subgroup of the Restionaceae, rather than a separate, but related, family. The work involved interpreting (often discordant) results from different genes and different methods of analysis in these plant groups which have exceptionally fast rates of evolutionary change in their DNA. A paper on their findings was prepared for presentation at the Monocots IV conference in Copenhagen. Since three robustly supported clades are apparent within Restionaceae, Dr Briggs and Professor Peter Linder of the University of Zurich have recognised these as subfamilies. They have prepared descriptions of two new Australian subfamilies of Restionaceae to provide names for these major groups. A name already exists for the one African subfamily of Restionaceae and also for the Centrolepidaceae clade if this is included within Restionaceae. |
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