Background
Among the bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts), liverworts have the most diverse body plans, making them very interesting for understanding evolution of plant form. Yet liverworts get little attention in botanical research. Bryophytes have in the past been considered slow evolving, partially due to observations of apparently very broad distributions for some morphologically defined species which span multiple continents. However, the accumulation of genetic studies of bryophyte phylogenetics and population genetics indicate that there may be many more species hiding within these supposedly cosmopolitan species. The liverwort genus Ptilidium (frynsemoseslekta, see photo) is one taxon where this may be the case. These liverworts, which have an unusual fringed leaf shape, are common on wood, soil, and rock across Norway. They can have significant variation in morphology based on plant sex and growing conditions, but the two known species separate clearly between wood and other substrates. However, our preliminary data from another project point to at least one new species in the genus occurring in Norway which grows on wood but appears to be more closely related to the species found on the ground.
Research Aims & Methods
This project aims to revise the taxonomy of genus Ptilidium and explore population genomics in the widespread members of the genus. This work will use phylogenomic methods which have so far rarely been applied to liverworts. The results will contribute not only to taxonomy, but also to the understanding of plant genomes and adaptation to grow on different substrates.
What You Will Learn
Through this project, you will be able to gain experience in the whole process of a phylogenetic study, from field collection of specimens, to DNA lab work, through bioinformatics and interpretation of evolutionary patterns. In addition to bryological expertise, you will gain skills applicable to any DNA-based evolutionary research.
Supervisors:
Dr. Jessica Nelson and Professor Charlotte Sletten Bjor?