The genus Odontites, r?dtopp in Norwegian, is mainly distributed in coastal areas of Southern and Eastern parts of the country, in meadows and fields. The plants are hemi-parasites and annual (lives for one year). In Norway the genus is regarded to comprise one species with three subspecies, but their delimitation and status is uncertain. It could for example be that the subspecies should rather be regarded as separate species. Two chromosome numbers are found: 2n = 18 and 20. The Red List status is critically endangered (CR) to near threatened (NT) depending on subspecies. To be able to conserve threatened species knowledge as for example genetic variability within and between population, seed production and seed viability is crucial.
Research questions include:
- How well are the three subspecies separated morphologically and genetically?
- Should Odontites in Norway be regarded as one species with three subspecies or three separate species?
- Is there any pattern in distribution of chromosome numbers?
- How is the status Norwegian populations regarding factors as genetic variation, seed production, recruitment?
Relevant methods may be studies of morphology, genetic variation, chromosome counting, distribution modelling, demographic studies, and seed production with germination tests. The outlined project is probably too big for one master project and could without problems accommodate two students. Alternatively selected parts of it could be done by one student.
Main supervisor: Brita Stedje, brita.stedje@nhm.uio.no (with collaborators)
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