Research Interests:
My research frames questions in a phylogenetic framework, to elucidate evolutionary relationships among plant groups with interesting geographic distributions or complicated morphologies. I have utilized two very different groups of flowering plants to address the questions above, members of the dicot tea family (Theaceae), and two families of the monocot ginger order: the prayer plant family (Marantaceae), and canna lilies (Cannaceae).

Current projects include:
Species boundaries in Canna. The genus is the only member of the family Cannaceae. Over 100 species have been named, but that number is probably grossly inflated. I am collaborating with W. John Kress (Smithsonian Institution), Hiltje Maas van de Kamer (Utrecht), and Paul J. M. Maas (Utrecht) to elucidate relationships in this group of widely cultivated plants using a combination of anatomical, molecular, and morphological data. Our strategy involves extensive sampling of individuals and types of data. One of the biggest challenges of the project involves rooting the phylogenetic tree since there are no close relatives for comparison. Molecular data from the chloroplast and nuclear genome have been collected. Current research is focusing on vegetative anatomy (stem, rhizome, roots, and petioles).

Morphological trends in Theaceae fruits. Theaceae are a group of warm-temperate and tropical plants with approximately 410 species distributed across 9 genera. The family has historically been divided into three major lineages based on fruit and seed characters. A careful investigation of fine scale morphological characters may reveal striking differences among the major lineages that are inconsistent with traditional classifications.

Recent projects include:
Theaceae treatment for the Flora of North America Project.  The Flora of North America Project is a comprehensive review of all plants that occur in North America, excluding Mexico (and Hawaii).  Generic and species descriptions, distribution maps, and identification keys have been created.

Guzmania (Bromeliaceae) fast evolving chloroplast and nuclear ITS sequence data.  Molecular phylogenetics at the infrageneric level has progressed slowly for Bromeliads due to a lack of appropriately variable markers.  Similarly, nuclear ITS (internal transcribed spacer) data have not been employed due to technical difficulties. Careful screening of dozens of plastid spacer and intron regions has identified a collection of quickly evolving regions that may prove valuable for many genera in the family. Technical difficulties with ITS were improved but may not be worth the time, effort, and expense due to low sequence variability.

Degrees:
Ph. D., University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Department of Biology, 1998
M. S., University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Department of Biology, 1995
B. A., University of Vermont, Department of Biology, 1987

Recent Papers:

Prince, LM. 2007. A brief review of 20th century nomenclature for genera and tribes of Theaceae sensu stricto. Aliso 24: 105–121. Prince_2007.pdf

Friar, E. A., L. M. Prince, E. H. Roalson, M. E. McGlaughlin, J. M. Cruse-Sanders, S. J. DeGroot, and J. M. Porter.  2006.  Ecological speciation in the East Maui-endemic Dubautia (Asteraceae) species. Evolution 60: 1777-1792. Friar_2006.pdf

Givnish, T. J., J. C. Pires, S. W. Graham, M. A. McPherson, L. M. Prince, T. B. Patterson, H. S. Rai, E. H. Roalson, T. M. Evans, W. J. Hahn, K. C. Millam, A. W. Meerow, M. Molvray, P. J. Kores, H. E. O'Brien, J. C. Hall, W. J. Kress, and K. J. Sytsma. 2006. Phylogenetic relationships of monocots based on the highly informative plastid gene ndhF: evidence for widespread concerted convergence.  Aliso 22: 28–52. Prince_Kress_2006.pdf

 Prince, L. M., and W. J. Kress. 2006. Phylogenetic relationships and classification in Marantaceae: insights from plastid DNA sequence data. Taxon 55: 281–296. Prince_2006.pdf

 Prince, L. M., and W. J. Kress. 2006.  Biogeography of the prayer plant family: getting to the root problem in Marantaceae. Aliso 22: 645-659.

Givnish, T. J., J. C. Pires, S. W. Graham, M. A. McPherson, L. M. Prince, T. B. Patterson, H. S. Rai, E. H. Roalson, T. M. Evans, W. J. Hahn, K. C. Millam, A. W. Meerow, M. Molvray, P. J. Kores, H. E. O'Brien, J. C. Hall, W. J. Kress, and K. J. Sytsma. 2005. Repeated evolution of net venation and fleshy fruits among monocots in shaded habitats confirms a priori predictions: evidence from an ndhF phylogeny. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B. 272: 1481–1490. Givnish_2005.pdf

Xia, Y.-M., W. J. Kress, and L. M. Prince. 2004. Phylogenetic analyses of Amomum (Alpinioideae: Zingiberaceae) using ITS and matK DNA sequence data. Systematic Botany 29: 334-344. Xia_2004.pdf

For a complete list of publications, please download a long version of my cv