9701413 Springer This award will provide funds for materials and supplies to enhance the dissertation research of Ms. Angela Burk, a doctoral student at the University of California - Riverside who is working under the supervision of Dr. Mark Springer. Ms. Burk's dissertation research involves acquisition of DNA sequences from three mitochondrially-encoded genes (12S rRNA, valine tRNA, and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear-encoded gene (protamine P1) from a representative of all living genera of Macropodidae. Macropodids consist of kangaroos, wallabies, and rat-kangaroos, and are the most species-rich group of all known marsupials. The groups contains 62 living species that occupy a wide diversity of habitats, including tropical rain forests, alpine tussock grasslands, and arid inland plains. Numerous attempts have been made previously to unravel the phylogenetic history of Macropodidae, but thus far complete resolution has not been obtained. Ms. Burk's research will establish such a phylogenetic framework and, in addition, will provide estimates of divergence times of examined taxa. Her research also will examine the historical development of several morphological characters and character complexes, address questions regarding rates of evolution (divergence) of each gene, and evaluate different character-weighing approaches for phylogenetic inference. Support for training of graduate students in modern technologies is critical to maintain the workforce of scientists capable of addressing questions and issues in global biology.
