The Solanaceae, or tomato family, is one of the world's most economically important plant families, and includes the large and diverse genus Solanum, thought to encompass some 1500 to 2000 species. Despite its importance, phylogenetic relationships in the Solanaceae as a whole and particularly those in Solanum are poorly understood. This project will examine phylogenetic relationships in the subfamily Solanoideae of the Solanaceae, concentrating on sectional classification in Solanum. Previous research has shown the Solanoideae to be a monophyletic group derived from the solanaceous subfamily Cestroideae. Data sets to be used in phylogenetic reconstruction include restriction fragment variation and DNA sequence information. Species will be chosen from as many sections of Solanum as possible, with broader representation from genera in the subfamily Solanoideae. Trees will be rooted using the Cestroideae as the outgroup. The goal of this study is to provide a phylogenetic framework for the subfamily, which will focus further systematic work on the group at finer levels and provide working hypotheses of relationships for assessment of character polarity and examination of biogeographic patterns,

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9207359
Program Officer
B. Jane Harrington
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-10-01
Budget End
1995-03-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
$25,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Utah
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112