Browse by
Summary Table
Presenting Author
All Authors
Title
Keywords
Institution
Program/Schedule
Date/Time
Programs
Sessions
Locations
At-A-Glance
or
Search
Home
Login

Abstract Detail


Resolving the green branch of life: Current progress and future challenges

McManus, Hilary A. [1], Lewis, Louise A. [1].

Integrating molecular and morphological data to infer phylogeny in the Chlorophyta.

The green algae comprise five classes that occur in marine and fresh waters, as well as terrestrially in soil and snow. They are morphologically diverse and ubiquitous, yet only 17,000 species have been defined for this group. Traditionally, similarities in overall growth forms served the basis for classifications, however studies of the flagellar apparatus ultrastructure, mitosis and cytokinesis, life history, and more recently molecular sequence data, have illustrated that the morphological characters used to define the groups arose independently multiple times due to similar environmental selection pressures. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analyses are revealing hidden genetic variation and offering information regarding convergent evolution. Highlighted is progress made in resolving evolutionary relationships within the green algae, with references to studies incorporating both molecular and morphological data to infer phylogenies or explore morphological evolution and the taxonomic importance of characters.


1 - University of Connecticut, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 75 North Eagleville Rd., Storrs, Connecticut, 06269-3043, USA

Keywords:
Chlorophyta
morphology
phylogeny
molecular data.

Presentation Type: Symposium
Session: 56-1
Location: Ballroom 3 (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2004
Time: 1:30 PM
Abstract ID:201


Copyright © 2000-2004, Botanical Society of America. All rights reserved.
l>