Drs. Givnish and Sytsma of the University of Wisconsin are studying the evolutionary history of species of the genus Brocchinia of the pineapple family, Bromeliaceae. This group of plants is of scientific interest because they are considered primitive members of the family and may be transitional to advanced epiphytic forms, because they are native to the most ancient part of South America, the Guyana Shield, and because they have evolved a remarkable range of means for capturing mineral nutrients including carnivory, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and feeding by ants. The investigators will collect specimens of the estimated 21 species of the genus in Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia. They will assess genomic relationships among species through analysis of chloroplast DNA. Comparison of these results with study of floral and vegetative traits will permit evaluation of the reliability of traditional anatomical characters in taxonomic classifications. The goal of the research is to understand how the species evolved, how they have adpated to conditions of extreme soil infertility, and how they have dispersed through geological time across the northern range of South America.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
8806520
Program Officer
Scott L. Collins
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1988-09-01
Budget End
1991-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
$93,389
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715