Kate B

Advisory Committee:

Research Interests - Chelonanthus:

I am interested in the systematics of the Neotropical gentian genus Chelonanthus. Complicated taxonomic issues are being resolved using morphological and molecular phylogenetics as well as morphometrics and GIS based methods. The paraphyletic state (Struwe et al., 2002; unpubl.; Lepis et al., unpubl.) resulting from two separate evolutionary lineages will lead to a new taxonomic system for the genus.

One lineage contains the type species Chelonanthus purpurascens with purple flowers and pollen released as polyads (many pollen grains stuck together). The other lineage is composed of all other species with green to white to yellow flowers and pollen shed as tetrads (four pollen grains stuck together). The later group includes the most widespread species of the genus, Chelonanthus alatus, which has also been shown to be polyphyletic as currently defined (Lepis et al., unpubl.). This group also contains species representing a continuum of habitat strategies from rare endemics to widespread weeds. Once a phylogeny emerges based on data from multiple levels of organismal organization, theories on the evolution of habitat strategies will be developed.

Other Interests:

I am also interested in the conservation, propagation and use of native plants in the landscape.
Developing lesson plans on nature that supplement existing grade school curriculums.

Click here to see a third grade lesson plan on Northeastern forests with emphasis placed on forest community and ethnobotany. This plan includes aspects to achieve NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards in Science.