|
Other research projects: reticulative evolution Reticulate evolution: detecting the phenomenon of hybrid speciation and assessing its implications for plant systematics. Bastiaantje Vriesendorp - NHN Wageningen Hybrid speciation is claimed to be one of the most important angiosperm speciation modes. However, most extant hypotheses of hybrid speciation events have not been rigorously tested, probably because of limiting network reconstruction methodology rather than the absence of good molecular markers. This project sets out to explore the possibilities of different markers and methodological approaches for hybrid detection and network reconstruction in several model genera (e.g. Solanum, Pelargonium, Cliffortia, Amorphophallus, Begonia, Lepidium). The first part of this project will involve testing of different "network reconstruction methods". These methods will be evaluated for their performance in detecting hybrid relationships between species, but they also might provide solutions to the problem of the placement of hybrids in phylogenetic trees by producing a network instead of a branching pattern. Evaluation will be based on simulated as well as real data sets (DNA sequences and AFLPs™) of the selected angiosperm taxa.
|