Next-generation systematics for Australia's challenging taxa: Unravelling phylogeny, evolution and species delimitation in the sun orchids (Thelymitra Orchidaceae) (Old ID 21617)

Department of the Environment and Energy
Role

Collaborator

Description

Standard molecular markers provide only limited insights into phylogenetic relationships in cases where plant groups i) underwent a recent and rapid diversification, ii) are subject to reticulate evolution, and/or iii) include polyploids. Next-generation sequencing technologies now offer the unprecedented opportunity to investigate the evolution of such challenging plant groups. In this project, we aim to apply Next-Generation sequencing approaches in the sun orchids (Thelymitra, Orchidaceae) to a) unravel infrageneric relationships; b) assess the taxonomic value of key morphological characters; c) improve our understanding of interspecific relationships and species delimitation in three significant species complexes through population-level molecular analysis.

Date

01 Jul 2014 - 30 Jun 2018

Project Type

FELLOWSHIP

Keywords

Sun Orchids (Thelymitra Orchidaceae);Molecular Phylogeny;Systematics and Taxonomy;Evolution;Next Generation Sequencing;Hybridisation

Funding Body

Department of the Environment and Energy

Amount

270000

Project Team

Darren Crayn