Centre for Plant Biodiversity
Research
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Centre for Plant Biodiversity
Research
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Program Leader: Curt Brubaker
Systematics Program: The goal of our systematics program is to determine the botanical diversity, distribution, inter-relationships and genetic systems of native genera and species of the Australian Flora. In this context, the aim of the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research is to contribute to innovative basic and applied systematic research, botanical teaching, conservation, the maintenance of plant diversity, and to produce tangible and acknowledged results to improve management of the environment.
The Australian National Herbarium is a major centre for biosystematic and phylogenetic studies of the Australian flora. Knowledge generated is valuable in ensuring the effective conservation of Australia’s natural communities and the utilization of its plants as genetic resources. Our studies are multidisciplinary, featuring a wide range of morphological and molecular approaches that are enhanced through the specialized use of other approaches including anatomy, cytology, phytochemistry, and breeding system studies.
We have two general areas of research focus:
1. Systematics and phylogenetic studies of the Australian flora: Work in this area of the Program is largely focused on the angiosperms with particular emphases on: (i) families and groups in which we are examining systematic, phylogenetic and biogeographical questions at a range of spatial and taxonomic scales (Asteraceae, Myrtaceae [Eucalyptus, Melaleuca], Portulacaceae and Orchidaceae); (ii) an ongoing initiative in the Fabales aimed at developing studies in this ecologically significant group as a future focus of research interest; and (iii) groups for which major contributions have been, or are near completion, and are currently being wound down over a 1-3 year time period (i. e. Loranthaceae and Rutaceae). In addition, a wide range of other families are receiving some attention either as more minor projects by research staff or as the focus of PhD students in the Centre. Results from all these studies include taxonomic and phylogenetic treatments and classifications, as well as treatments for State floras, the Flora of Australia and related floras such as Flora Malesiana.
2. Development of computer-based, interactive identification and information systems: We have followed up the successful launch of EUCLID I in 1997, with the release of Australian Tropical Rain Forest Trees & Shrubs (February 1999). The latter product is a very much expanded and enhanced follow-up to the 1993 Rain Forest Tree Key. It contains over 1700 taxa (circa 800 shrubs) and a wide range of explanatory illustrations. Work by the north Queensland Atherton group is now focused on incorporation of approx. 500 Australian rainforest vine species. A revised version of EUCLID I (incorporating some minor changes, 200 more images and the addition of Angophora in a more technologically advanced software package) was published early in 2000. Work on EUCLID II (remainder of South Australia and south-west Western Australia) is currently underway. Interactive keys to Grevillea and the pea-flowered legumes of Australia are in the initial stages of development. The latter is a collaborative project involving many legume workers in Australia, coordinated by the Centre together with ABRS.
R.
Bayer: My main project focuses on evolutionary studies in the tribe Gnaphalieae
of the Asteraceae (sunflower family). The Gnaphalieae (paper daisies or everlastings)
are a group of sunflowers that have their greatest diversity in Australia, followed
by Southern Africa and South America and are poorly represented in the northern
hemisphere. Phylogenetic relationships among the approximately 181 genera of
the Gnaphalieae are poorly known and a recent morphology-based cladistic analysis
(Anderberg, 1991) of the tribe has stirred up much controversy among the world's
handful of experts. The short-term goal of the study is to resolve phylogenetic
relationships among Australian and South African genera of the tribe using molecular
tools (currently sequencing of several chloroplast spacer and gene sequences).
The two longer term goals of the project are: (1) To complete phylogenetic studies
including all genera and to resolve the relationships of the tribe to other
tribes in the Asteraceae (2) To resolve phylogenetic relationships among species,
and test the monophyly of the large Australian genera such as Angianthus,
Gnephosis, Rhodanthe, and Helichrysum.
Antennaria
microphylla, Helichrysum aureum,
Leucochrysum albicans, Phaenocoma
prolifera
E.
Cross: Rhodanthe Lindley is a moderately sized (ca. 45 species)
Australian endemic genus (Wilson 1992). Members of Rhodanthe are commercially
important in dried floral arrangements (Anderberg 1994). Rhodanthe was
recently erected from Helipterum DC., which was shown to be illegitimate
and polyphyletic in a morphological cladistic analysis (Anderberg 1991). Rhodanthe
was also polyphyletic and formed part of an unresolved basal assemblage in Angianthinae.
Wilson (1992) moved several species into other genera within Angianthinae but
classification of the remaining Rhodanthe species was hindered by their
highly variable morphology which suggested many different affinity groups. Consequently,
Wilson accepted the polymorphic and likely polyphyletic assemblage. He simplified
Rhodanthe by establishing 11 sections, several of which he acknowledges
are dubious. Primarily, this project aims to construct a phylogeny of Rhodanthe
and allies using cladistic analyses of both molecular and morphological
characters. Molecular sequence data from the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS),
External Transcribed Spacer (ETS) regions, trnL intron, trnL/trnF
intergenic spacer, and novel histone region will be used to test the monophyly
of Rhodanthe and the existing classification. An expanded morphological
study incorporating Anderberg and Wilson’s work, supplemented by new micromorphological
characters such as the shape of the style base, ornamentation of the filament
collar and endothecial cells and morphology of the carpopodium (basal portion
of the achene) (Sundberg 1985) will also be undertaken, with the aim of producing
a predictive taxonomy without contradiction. Given a well-resolved phylogeny,
the biogeography of Rhodanthe and allies will be investigated. [Ph.D.
Supervisors: R. Bayer (CPBR); M. Crisp (ANU), C. Quinn (UNSW)]
Lawrencella davenportii & Polycalymma
craspedioides, Rhodanthe chlorocephala
ssp splendida, Rhodanthe chlorocephala
ssp rosea, Rhodanthe anthemoides,
Lawrencella rosea,
The program is currently undertaking taxonomic studies in three main families of this tribe in Australia: namely Amaranthaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Portulacaceae. This relatively primitive group has been well researched in other parts of the world, but there is still controversy as to the membership of the tribe and relative relationships. Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses are needed to place the Australian genera.
J.
Palmer: The family Amaranthaceae has a worldwide distribution in tropical
and warm temperate regions, with 71 genera and c. 1000 species. This project
is focused upon the production, of a flora treatment of the family for the Flora
of Australia. The treatment covers 15 genera with 184 species; 157 of which
are endemic or native. The genera Nyssanthes, Omegandra, Hemichroa
and Ptilotus (excluding one species) are endemic, Ptilotus being
the largest genus with c. 96 species. A revision of the genus Gomphrena
has been published with a total of 33 species, including 12 new species. About
one third of the known species of Gomphrena occur in Australia, the remainder
occur in Central and South America and southern United States. In Australia
there are as many naturalized Amaranthus species as endemic/native ones
with two new endemics to be published shortly. Many of the native Amaranthus
species occur in central and northern Australia whereas the introduced species
occur mainly in the east and south of the country. There are several economically
important species in the family. For example Amaranthus tricolor
and Alternanthera sessilis are vegetables, Amaranthus cruentus
is a grain crop, Gomphrena globosa and Amaranthus caudatus
are common garden ornamentals and Alternanthera philoxeroides
and Aerva javanica are widespread weeds.
Gomphrena
rosula, Ptilotus macrocephalus,
Deeringia amaranthoides
J.
West, L.G. Adams and C.H. Miller: This is a cosmopolitan but mainly northern
hemisphere family of some 80 genera and more than 2000 species. In Australia
the family is represented by 24 genera and c. 110 species, many of which are
introduced to this country, e.g. Cerastium (mouse-ear, chickweed), Silene
(campion, catchfly). We are undertaking both floristic studies and more in-depth
research concentrating on the native taxa. Flora treatments have been contributed
for both regional projects (e.g. Flora of Victoria) or on a national
basis (Flora of Australia). For the four primarily native genera, Spergularia,
Stellaria, Scleranthus and Colobanthus, research focuses on revisionary,
phylogenetic and biogeographic studies of the Australian elements.
Silene
latifolia subsp.alba,
Stellaria pungens
J
G West: My main research in this family focuses on revisionary, phylogenetic
and biogeographic studies of the Australian elements, primarily Calandrinia
and Portulaca. The short term aim of my work is to resolve the relationships
among the Australian species, and in the longer term to understand the phylogenetic
relationships of these genera within the family. The succulent ephemeral endemic
Calandrinia species show considerable diversity in arid and semi-arid
regions. The genus provides some worthy examples of the evolution of different
life history strategies in closely related species, with inbreeding and outcrossing
mechanisms being well developed and reflected in the morphology. Portulaca
is a pantropical genus, which has not previously been treated taxonomically
or phylogenetically on a world-wide basis. Several regional treatments have
been produced for non-Australian taxa over the past 10 years, resulting in an
uncoordinated number of accounts and particularly with the cosmopolitan P.
oleracea being divided into numerous infraspecific taxa. The genus is largely
tropical in Australia with several species also occurring in Malesia.
Calandrinia
sp. nov.
L.
Craven: The genus Glycine includes soy bean, G. max, a species
of east Asian origin that is now one of the most important of the world’s
pulse crops. Glycine species occur also in Australia and the Centre has
been conducting research, lead by Tony Brown, into the population genetics
of the Australian wild species of the genus and the prospects for introgressing
traits from these into soy bean. The genetic resources-oriented research has
stimulated systematic studies of novel genotypes that have been discovered during
the genetic resources work. Taxonomic and floristic investigations by Bernard
Pfeil and Lyn Craven are proceeding in collaboration with Mary Tindale,
herbarium NSW, Sydney. It is now known that there has been very significant
diversification of the genus in Australia. The majority of the species of Glycine
are endemic to Australia; present research indicates that there are about 30
species in the region. Several difficult species complexes exist and resolution
of these is being achieved in conjunction with Tony Brown who has been studying
the molecular systematics of the Australian species with Jeff and Jane Doyle,
Cornell University, Ithaca.
Glycine
latrobeana,
B. Hyland: The primary focus of this project is to determine the relationships within the family at least to the generic level. Plants in the family Lauraceae are found throughout the world, but the family tends to be more diverse in tropical regions particularly in rain forests. The family is regarded as a primitive member of the angiosperms. Because of problems with the delimitation of species and genera, the size of the family is difficult to quantify but it probably consists of about 50 genera and more than 3000 species. It is hoped to gain an understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among genera and species. However, it is feared, that because of the complex manner of dispersal of the family, and the subsequent recombination of various branches of the family, most of the currently popular algorithms will not be adequate for the task, irrespective of the types of data accumulated, e.g. morphological, chemical, molecular, phytogeographical etc.
L.
Craven: While species of Malvaceae usually are only locally dominant in
Australian plant communities, the family nonetheless contributes significantly
to biodiversity at both the generic and specific levels. Perhaps the best known
genus of the family is Hibiscus, commonly cultivated in gardens for its
showy flowers. Another significant genus is Gossypium which includes
the important crop, cotton; a third of the species of this genus are endemic
to Australia.
The tribe Hibisceae includes several economic plants, such as okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) and hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis). The taxonomy of the tribe is poorly known overall, although some groups have received attention because they contain economically important species (e.g. Abelmoschus, Hibiscus sect. Furcaria). Present research is focused upon three major areas: Hibisceae, phylogeny of Hibiscus sect. Furcaria, and floristic and taxonomic studies of selected taxa. Bernard Pfeil is re-evaluating the classification of Hibisceae using molecular and morphological data. The evolutionary relationships of the members of the tribe are of particular interest as the tribe previously has been associated with Bombacaceae and the presently recognised tribe Gossypieae. Recently obtained molecular data have indicated that Hibisceae may be paraphyletic and this will be explored further with additional sequences and morphological data. Curt Brubaker, Bernard Pfeil and Lyn Craven are collaborating with Randy Small, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in studying the phylogeny and genome evolution of Hibiscus sect. Furcaria. This section is pan-tropical with c. 120 species of which c. 30 occur in Australia. Lyn Craven is revising the taxonomy of H. sect. Furcaria in Australia in collaboration with Doug Wilson, Tempe, and Paul Fryxell, Austin.
The 17 Australian species of Gossypium comprise three distinct
groups recognised at sectional level within the genus, i.e. sects. Grandicalyx,
Hibiscoidea and Sturtia. The three sections themselves are placed
in a separate subgenus, subg. Sturtia. One species, G. sturtianum,
Sturt’s Desert Rose, has been found to be both extremely variable and widespread.
Its morphological and genetic variation is being studied by Curt Brubaker and
Lyn Craven with the aim of explaining the evolutionary and biogeographical history
of the species. Taxonomic concepts in the prostrate and semiprostrate species
of sect. Grandicalyx are unclear and there is considerable overlap in
morphological variation. Brubaker and Craven in collaboration with Mac Stewart,
Arkansas, and Jonathan Wendel, Iowa, will use morphological and molecular data
to demonstrate the evolutionary relationships within sect. Grandicalyx
and devise a new taxonomy at species level.
Abelmoschus
manihot, Gossypium
sturtianum, Hibiscus
panduriformis,
The biodiversity of much of the Australasian region is dominated by the largely southern hemisphere family Myrtaceae. A focus of our research is the preparation of primary source accounts of the taxonomy, floristics and phylogeny of the three most important generic groups: the eucalypts (Eucalyptus); the paperbarks and tea trees (Melaleuca and allies); and the water gums, satin ashes and apples (Syzygium and allies).
M.
I. H. Brooker: My research is exclusively on Eucalyptus sens. lat.,
particularly the classification of the genus. This includes the genus Angophora,
which is to be published as one of several subgenera in genus Eucalyptus.
The principal project of the eucalypt group which comprises myself, Andrew
Slee and John Connors is EUCLID,
the copiously illustrated interactive key and information system for the whole
genus. EUCLID I, which treats the species of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania
and South-eastern South Australia, is already available. We are currently working
on EUCLID II which
covers southern Western Australia and most of South Australia. In the long term
we envisage EUCLID III to cover all of northern Australia. Other projects are
the revision of the western endemic group based on Eucalyptus subseries
Cornutae Bentham and the Eucalyptus series Siderophloiae
ironbarks which are largely from Queensland. I am undertaking a continuing series
of research projects testing for congruence between essential oils in various
groups of eucalypts and morphological classification. Basic to all our research
is the curation of the Eucalyptus herbarium at CANB which includes about
70 000 specimens and is expanding all the time with material from all over Australia.
Angophora
robur, Eucalyptus
grossa, Eucalyptus taurina
L.
Craven: Melaleuca species occur throughout Australia, with a few
species extending into Malesia and a few endemic species in New Caledonia. There
are c. 260 species in the genus making it one of the larger such groups of Australian
plants; the plants themselves range from being dwarf heathland shrubs to tall
woodland trees. They are important elements in the monsoon woodlands, southern
and eastern heathlands, and mallee shrublands in the southern arid zone. Species
have potential for forestry, as sources of essential oils and other products,
degraded-land reclamation, farm tree/windbreak plantings, and ornamental horticulture,
among other applications. Taxonomic and floristic studies of Melaleuca
and its relatives such as Conothamnus and Regelia are being co-ordinated
by Lyn Craven. Species groups in Melaleuca that have high conservation
and/or potential agronomic value are being investigated to elucidate their taxonomy;
presently the M. uncinata (Broom bush) species complex is the subject
of field- and laboratory-based studies in collaboration with Margaret Byrne,
CALM, Perth. A survey of the essential oils of Melaleuca is under way
with Joe Brophy, University of New South Wales, Sydney. A handbook and CD-ROM
(the latter to include an interactive identification system) giving basic information
on the botany, distribution, and chemistry of the genus is planned.
Syzygium
has c. 60 species in Australia but is the largest genus of Myrtaceae in the
Old World tropics with between 600 and 1000 species. The full range of the genus
is from Africa east to the Hawaiian Islands and from India-southern China south
to southeastern Australia and New Zealand. Many species are utilised as timber
trees; other uses include cloves and cottage fruit trees. Syzygium
especially is an important element in the rainforest ecosystem, being a food
source for blossom-feeding and fruit-eating animals. There are significant problems
to be resolved at generic level as doubts exist as to the validity of at least
some of the presently recognised relatives (such as Acmena, Acmenosperma,
Cleistocalyx, Piliocalyx, Waterhousea, etc). The taxonomy
and morphology of the Australian and Malesian species is being studied by Lyn
Craven (with Tom Hartley for those in Papuasia). The phylogeny is being
studied with Paul Gadek, James Cook University, Cairns using both morphological
and molecular data sets. Due to the inherent difficulties in writing identification
keys for specimens lacking flowers and/or fruit, development of interactive
identification systems is being given high priority.
Melaleuca
styphelioides, Melaleuca
scabra, Syzygium
paniculosum, Syzygium
wilsonii
M.
Clements, D. Jones, I. Sharma: The Centre’s orchid research group studies
the biodiversity of the Australian Orchidaceae in relation to those of related
floras and to carry out systematic and biological studies of these plants to
elucidate their phylogenies. This involves studies in: phylogeny, molecular
and reproductive biology of the family and specific taxonomic groups there in
, e.g. Diurideae, Pterostylideae and Dendrobinae; the systematics of the Orchidaceae
in countries in the SW Pacific and Melanesia in relation to Australia; orchid
mycorrhizal associations; in vitro propagation of orchids including endangered
species. The project also involves compilation of photographic indices of Australian
Orchidaceae and of Orchidaceae types. The Orchidaceae is a major component of
the world flora (c. 35,000 species), and a significant number (c. 1200-1400)
of these occur in Australia and many more (c. 8-10,000) in the surrounding region
(New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and other SW Pacific
Island nations, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines). A primary
aim of our orchid research is the enunciation of the orchids in Australia. The
south-east Asian-Australasian and Western Pacific regions is one of the richest
areas for orchids on earth containing representatives of most major orchid groups
including all the so-called primitive species. As such it is an extremely important
area in which to undertake research on the Orchidaceae, especially in relation
to its phylogeny and classification and systematics. Numerous species of orchids
remain to be discovered and described from this region. More
information
Durabaculum nindii,
Drakonorchis barbarossa
Tom
Hartley: This study is concerned with the systematics of 32 of the 74 genera
of Rutaceae which occur naturally in the Australasian-Malesian region. Excluded
are the 25 genera which comprise the subfamily Aurantioideae in the region and
the 17 genera which are believed (Hartley, 1995) to constitute the Australasian
tribe Boronieae. Studies of the genera and their constituent species are based
mainly on morphology (including that of the pollen) and focus primarily on traditional
methods of analysis and presentation. They are concerned mainly with evolutionary
relationships, identification, nomenclature, and biogeography. Most of the plants
occur in the rain forest.
Tetractomia
barringtonioides, Dutaillya trifoliolata
B.
J. Lepschi: My research on the Santalaceae is focused on the Australian
elements of the tribe Amphorogyneae. The Amphorogyneae comprises ten genera
of aerial and terrestrial parasitic shrubs and climbers, extending from Asia
to Australia, with its centres of diversity in Malesia, and (to a lesser extent)
Australia. Three genera, Choretrum (c. 6 spp.), Leptomeria
(17 spp.) and the monotypic Spirogardnera, are endemic to Australia,
where they are widespread throughout the southern half of the continent. Unlike
some of the more showy members of the Australian flora, Choretrum and
its relatives have not attracted a great deal of taxonomic attention. Consequently,
little systematic work has been undertaken on these plants, and their taxonomy
and phylogenetic relationships are not well understood. A taxonomic revision
of Leptomeria has recently been completed, and the immediate aim of this
work is to undertake a similar revision of Choretrum. These treatments
will provide a basis for the longer-term aims of the project, which include
a re-assessment of the generic boundaries between Choretrum, Leptomeria
and Spirogardnera, and production of species-level phylogeny for
this group of taxa.
Choretrum
candollei, Leptomeria pauciflora
B.
Wallace: My project consists of revision and publication of my doctoral
dissertation The Australian Vascular Epiphytes Flora & Ecology completed
in 1982. I am updating the flora regarding name changes and taxa newly described
or discovered in Australia. Related research published since that time is being
reviewed for inclusion. Using a broad definition of the term epiphyte
about 400 taxa are included from the Australian flora. These are representative
of 33 families and four divisions of the plant kingdom. Since completion of
the work some 17 new taxa of epiphytic plants have been described, and eight
new taxa recorded from Australia, including 11 orchids and four ferns These
are being added to the flora list, descriptions adapted and illustrations produced,
and the key reconstructed to accommodate the new additions. A number of significant
new works on the floristics, ecology, ecophysiology and biology of vascular
epiphytes have been published since 1982 and these are being reviewed for inclusion
in the overview of research relevant to the study. On completion of the revision,
publication of the work as a single entity will be sought. The potential for
publication via CD ROM, including an interactive key to the flora, will be investigated.
epiphytes on Ficus watkinsiana, Peristeranthus
hillii, Dischidia major
showing cut bladder leaves with ants,
J.
Croft: A dry continent, Australia is not as rich in ferns and allied species
as the wet, tropical lands to our north. Nevertheless, a number of species have
adapted to semi-arid conditions. These areas and the wetter forests, helped
by the wide latitude range of the continent, support a flora of c. 456 species
in 112 genera; c. 95-100 of these species are considered endangered, vulnerable,
rare or poorly known, and most of these survive in isolated populations in N
Queensland. The focus of this project is the documentation and visualization
of the pteridophyte flora of the Australasian and Papuasian regions by developing
and implementing a range of bioinformatic solutions to handling botanical data,
based primarily on the collections and databases of the Australian National
Herbarium. In addition to internal database access, external public Internet
gateways provide access to plant name information and distribution and occurrence
information, including dynamically generated maps; images of pteridophytes are
being added to these resources. On-line descriptions and keys to Australasian
and Papuasian pteridophyte families and genera are being developed and made
available on the Internet and a descriptive character list has been developed
for pteridophytes and a DELTA dataset is being populated for the c. 300 families
and genera of ferns and fern allies of the world with a view to building an
interactive Internet key.
Sticherus
flabelatus, Polystichum
formosum, Isoetes
gunnii
D.C.
Cargill: This is a brief introduction for those who are perhaps unfamiliar
with bryophytes. The mosses, liverworts and hornworts were traditionally lumped
together under the division Bryophyta, as a consequence of these plants sharing
very similar habit and life cycles. In general they are small herbaceous plants
with an alternating life cycle consisting of a dominant, persistent vegetative
gametophyte, and a short-lived sporophyte which is nutritionally dependent upon
the gametophyte. More recently they have come to be recognised as three distinct
divisions or phyla, arising from three distinct ancestors. They are now known
as the Bryophyta (mosses) the Marchantiophyta (liverworts) and the Anthocerotophyta
(hornworts). The liverworts are in turn divided into three morphologically and
developmentally distinct groups. These are the leafy liverworts, which as the
name suggests possess a simple stem and two or three rows of leaves; the complex
thalloids, whereby the thallus is differentiated into distinct layers with airpores
on the upper surface; and the simple thalloids which can appear either like
the leafy liverworts or like the complex liverworts.
My research interests lie with the liverworts and hornworts, and one of the aims of my work is to bring into axenic culture as many of the liverworts and hornworts that I will be working on, for molecular and experimental work.
My previous research involved a partial revision of the simple thalloid liverwort suborder Fossombroniineae, revising the genus Fossombronia and Sewardiella for Australia, Africa, Southwest Asia (the Middle East) and the subcontinent of India. Future projects will look into the taxonomy, phylogeny and phylogeography of the genus Fossombronia as well as the suborder.
Within the genus Fossombronia I am wanting to establish whether differences
occur at the molecular level between those populations which are currently conspecific
but which occur worldwide as well as in Australia. Much of the diversity of
the suborder is still unknown within Australia, and in particular in Western
Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. Two other genera within the
suborder; Austrofossombronia and Petalophyllum are also understudied
for Australia and these genera will also be included in my studies.
Fossombronia alata
Asterella is a complex thalloid liverwort, which is a widespread species, both within Australia and worldwide. A recent revision of this genus for the Northern Hemisphere by David Long has revealed that the Australian species are not as clear cut in their delineation as thought but may involve a complex. Molecular and morphological parameters would be used.
In terms of the hornworts, genera are still not clearly defined and the interrelationships
between each of the genera are also somewhat unclear. I am involved in a collaborative
project using both morphology, molecular and biogeographic work to clearly define
the genera and to determine the phylogeny within the group itself.
Phaeoceros laevis
