Patterson, Robert - San Francisco State University

个人简介

Systematic Botany. Phylogenetics of Linanthus & Leptosiphon (Polemoniaceae) and Phacelia (Boraginaceae). California floristics. The research focus of our lab group is systematics of Polemoniaceae and Hydrophyllaceae. We are especially interested in understanding relationships among closely related species of western North American genera of these families. We are equally interested in understanding the evolution of morphological characters that have been traditionally used to classify these taxa. We use an array of approaches ranging from morphometrics to ascertain species limits to molecular sequence analysis to reconstruct evolutionary histories of species. For the masters thesis projects coming out of our lab students generally take on a group of reasonable size and address specific questions about evolutionary patterns in the group. This approach allows the students to gain a wide selection of technical skills while making critical progress toward our understanding of relationships among closely related species and species-groups.

研究领域

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We are botanists. Our primary interests are systematic relationships among species within genera. Specifically we are focusing on genera of Polemoniaceae and Hydrophyllaceae (i.e., the hydrophylloid Boraginaceae). In this pursuit we maintain collaborative relationships with other labs who also focus on these groups. Polemoniaceae and Hydrophyllaceae have their centers of diversity in western North America, and are prime examples of arrays of evolutionary patterns — species-rich vs species-poor genera; rare vs widespread taxa; varying reproductive and ecological modes. We are centered on reconstructing phylogenies, using whatever data yield interesting results. Because many species of polemons and hydrophylls are sensitive/rare/endangered, we are also interested in conservation issues, particularly those dealing with the flora of California. Visit the web site of the individual lab members for more information about specific projects.