NA
Ph.D. candidate
Supervisor: Étienne Léveillé-Bourret
Julian Starr, University of Ottawa
Start: 2023-09-01
End: 2027-04-30

Project

Resolving the phylogeny and taxonomy of the sedge grade Fuireneae sensu lato (Cyperaceae)
Few taxonomic changes to the sedge tribe Fuireneae s.l. have been made despite convincing evidence of unnatural infratribal classification. Though a recent study found support to divide Fuireneae into four tribes, they did so with only 30% of the tribe's diversity. Fuireneae is of interest due to its phylogenetic distribution of annual and perennial species (suggesting some perennials evolved from annuals), its amphi-basicarpic annuals, and its numerous species complexes. I will use molecular, morphological, and micromorphological characters with a full taxonomic sampling of Fuireneae to (1) test whether taxonomic classifications within Fuireneae are natural, (2) test whether some perennials are derived from annuals and determine related ecological factors, (3) determine how amphi-basicarpy is gained and lost, and (4) work to resolve species complexes. These findings may ultimately contribute to species conservation, elucidating evolutionary patterns, and perennial crop development.

Keywords

Cyperaceae, Fuireneae, botany, systematics