Developmental morphology, biogeography, and systematics of the fringed gentians (Gentianopsis, Gentianaceae). PI: Barbara A. Whitlock
One species of fringed gentian (Gentianopsis thermalis) is the official plant of Yellowstone National Park. Other species are indicators of threatened wetland habitats throughout North America including wet meadows of western mountains, prairie fens, and Appalachian wetland communities. However, little is known about the evolutionary history of Gentianopsis species, and the current scientific literature about their ecology and way of life has been proved inaccurate. This study will include extensive fieldwork in North America, sampling many Gentianopsis populations for DNA data to reconstruct the phylogeny (evolutionary history) of these species. This framework will allow a series of analyses of evolutionary processes in Gentianopsis on the formation of new species, rates of evolutionary change in structure, growth and reproduction, and changes in geographic distribution correlated with past climate change.
This group of plants provides an ideal study system in which to examine the interrelationships of many aspects of plant evolution. This fundamental contribution to the knowledge base of evolutionary biology may be the most significant outcome of the project. Conclusions of this work will also establish the number and limits of species, influence the management of rare Gentianopsis species, and clarify what inferences can be drawn from the distribution of these plants when used as wetland indicators.
