Santa Cruz Island Reserve

10 Jan, 01 AM - 13 Jan, 10 AM

Oceanic islands have long been used as natural laboratories to study evolution. The endemic species found on islands often represent early stages of evolution, because oceanic islands tend to be short-lived on geological time-scales. However, most studies have been conducted on isolated archipelagos with well-separated islands to allow investigators to focus on patterns and mechanisms of speciation in isolation of persistent gene flow from a source of colonists. This focus on isolation and separation, however, hinders researchers from addressing critical questions regarding patterns of plant dispersal and speciation when dispersal rates are higher. We propose to study patterns of plant dispersal and evolution on the California Channel Islands, which are close to the mainland and also close to each other. We will test five hypotheses of dispersal and differentiation using three endemic taxa: Eriogonum grande, Ceanothus megacarpus, and Lotus dendroideus. Genetic data will be obtained from chloroplast and nuclear DNA. Field work will consist of collection of leaf material from individuals in natural populations on the Channel Islands.

Visit #8733 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 6087 | Research

Phylogeography in the California Channel Islands: dispersal and evolution of endemic plants.

faculty - University of South Dakota

Reservation Members(s)

Kaius Helenurm Jan 10 - 13, 2006 (4 days)
Group of 2 Research Scientist/Post Doc Jan 10 - 13, 2006 (4 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Dorm 3 Jan 10 - 13, 2006
Jeep 3 Jan 10 - 13, 2006