Quantitative Morphology and Biogeography of Eriastrum Wooton and Standley (Polemoniaceae: Loeselieae)

Dissertation research (Jan. 2005–present)

This study investigates the evolution of morphological diversity in Eriastrum (Woolly-Star; Polemoniaceae).  Field observations of the morphological variation in Eriastrum suggest that about half of the species or subspecies have been described and named.  Geometric morphometrics, phylogenetics, and biogeography will be incorporated to test existing hypotheses of forces important in diversification in the family, namely, pollinator specificity and the aridity of habitats.  These data will provide the first statistically based comparative morphological study of the genus, offering great potential for refinement of species circumscriptions and classification, in addition to investigating species biogeography, dispersal, hybridization, and morphological evolution and development.  Finally, I intend to write an identification key to the taxa, that works.

This is a PRELIMINARY nrITS comb (parsimony strict consensus).  Thanks to J. Mark Porter and Abby Moore for sequences.