U.S.-BRAZIL RESEARCH PLANNING VISIT: PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS OF XYRIDACEAE (POALES)---TOWARDS A MONOGRAPH OF THE YELLOW-EYED GRASSES

New York Botanical Garden, Bronx NY

Investigators

Abstract

The proposed U.S.-Brazil planning visit will allow the U.S. PIs Drs. Lisa Campbell and Damon Little (New York Botanical Garden) to plan an interdisciplinary, collaborative research program on the systematics of Xyridaceae with Brazilian collaborator Dr. Maria Das Gracas Lapa Wanderley from the Instituto de Botanica de Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Xyridaceae are a small family of flowering plants, common in wetlands in many parts of the world. They have never been studied thoroughly; current knowledge is based on fragmentary and local studies. Meeting in person will provide a venue for effectively communicating details regarding responsibilities for data gathering and analysis, research expenses, and dissemination of anticipated results. The planning visit aims to propose research that will produce a classification based on evolutionary relationships and on sound taxonomy. These are essential for meaningful studies on the biology and ecology of Xyridaceae. Furthermore insight into the diversity of this lineage will be critical in formulating conservation priorities.