Read more
Chromosomal change has been important in the evolution of flowering plants. Cytogenetic modifications resulting in dysploid and polyploid alterations of plant genomes have often led to the formation of new species. A genus that represents an excellent example of such changes during its evolutionary history is Melampodium (Asteraceae), occurring primarily in Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States. This book is a detailed presentation of the diversity of species in Melampodium, their ecological requirements and phylogenetic relationships, the biogeographic patterns and migrational pathways, chromosomal diversity, and evolutionary origins of species, especially the tetraploids and hexaploids through allopolyploidy. It is an instructive case study of evolution through chromosomal change in a broadly distributed genus of importance in the ecosystems of Mexico and adjacent regions.
List of contents
Chapter 1. Biodiversity and Chromosomal Evolution.- Chapter 2. Melampodium and Its Significance.- Chapter 3. Morphological Diversity.- Chapter 4. Distribution and Ecology.-Chapter 5. Chromosomal Variation.-Chapter 6. Reconstruction of Phylogeny.- Chapter 7. Chromosomal Evolution.- Chapter 8. Modes of Speciation.- Chapter 9. Biogeography.-Chapter 10. Systematics.- Chapter 11. Conclusions.
About the author
Tod F. Stuessy is Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University and University of Vienna. His interests include principles of classification, island biology, and plant genetic variation and speciation. He is the author, co-author, or editor of seventeen books and over three hundred scientific papers. He has received the Engler Medal in Gold and was co-recipient of the Stebbins Medal from the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT). He has also received the Asa Gray Award from the American Society of Plant Taxonomists (ASPT), and the Merit and Centennial Awards from the Botanical Society of America. He has been President of the ASPT, Secretary-General of the IAPT, and Vice President of the International Botanical Congress 2005 Vienna, Austria. He has been Director of the Botanical Garden at the University of Vienna and Director of the Herbarium and Museum of Biological Diversity at The Ohio State University.
Hanna Weiss-Schneeweiss is Full Professor at the University of Vienna, Austria. Her research focusses on chromosomal evolution of various plant groups with special emphasis on polyploidy and types of repetitive DNAs, among others. She is also interested in processes and patterns involved with plant genome restructuring. She is the author or co-author of ninety scientific papers.
Gerald M. Schneeweiss is Associate Professor at the University of Vienna, Austria. His interests include molecular phylogenetics and phylogenomics using different analytical methods in various plant groups, biogeography including phylogeography, and plant taxonomy and floristic research. He is the author or co-author of over one hundred scientific papers.
Jose L. Villasenor is member of the Department of Botany, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. His work focuses on achieving a better knowledge of the rich Mexican flora and understanding its distributional patterns. He is the author or co-author of five books and more than two hundred scientific papers. He has been honored with the Medal of Botanical Merit from the Botanical Society of Mexico.
Summary
Chromosomal change has been important in the evolution of flowering plants. Cytogenetic modifications resulting in dysploid and polyploid alterations of plant genomes have often led to the formation of new species. A genus that represents an excellent example of such changes during its evolutionary history is Melampodium (Asteraceae), occurring primarily in Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States. This book is a detailed presentation of the diversity of species in Melampodium, their ecological requirements and phylogenetic relationships, the biogeographic patterns and migrational pathways, chromosomal diversity, and evolutionary origins of species, especially the tetraploids and hexaploids through allopolyploidy. It is an instructive case study of evolution through chromosomal change in a broadly distributed genus of importance in the ecosystems of Mexico and adjacent regions.
