9408019 Watson The sagebrush tribe, Anthemideae, of the sunflower family is the focus of extensive molecular phylogenetic analyses by Dr. Linda Watson of the University of Oklahoma, to acquire new data for taxonomic and genealogical study. Data from restriction enzyme mapping and gene sequencing of chloroplast DNA are being collected from representatives of the ca. 1740 species of the tribe, from throughout the world. These will be used to assess mutational differences among species and genera, and to construct hypotheses of phylogenetic relationship. In turn, such molecule-based phylogenies will be compared with current morphology-based inferences, and areas of disagreement subjected to further study with additional DNA datasets. Corroborated patterns of evolutionary history will provide test cases for evaluating changes in mating systems, pollination (whether by wind or insects), geographic distribution, and growth form in this widespread tribe. The Anthemideae provides an opportunity to examine patterns of evolutionary relationships using modern molecular techniques and to make direct comparisons to an existing morphology-based phylogenetic tree and thereby assess the reliability of traditional taxonomic characters. The combined datasets will lead to a comprehensive taxonomic account of an economically and ecologically important group of plants.
