Research Grants

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Scutia (Comm. ex DC.) Brongn. (Rhamnaceae), an understudied and polyphyletic group of buckthorn species from the global south.

Project summary:

Scutia is an understudied and paraphyletic genus restricted to the southern hemisphere. Combining new genomic and traditional genetic techniques, we are taking a phylogeographic approach to study species delimitation and systematics in the group. Based on phylogenetic and morphological data, we will propose a new taxonomic treatment for these taxa.

First Name:

Rafael Urbina-Casanova

Highest degree:

Eng.

Year obtained:

2014

Applicant Status:

Current student

USA

Flowering plants

Relevant publications (minimum 1, maximum 4):

Cádiz-Véliz, A., N. Marín Román, R. Urbina-Casanova, N. García Berguecio, B. Palma-Villalobos & G. Sapaj-Aguilera. Rediscovery of Ivania juncalensis Al-Shehbaz (Thelypodieae; Brassicaceae), an endemic and threatened species from the Andes of Central Chile. Phytotaxa 558(3): 276-282. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.558.3.3

Saldivia, P., L. Faundez, R. Urbina-Casanova & R.A. Scherson. Domeykoa andina (Apiaceae; Azorelloideae), a New Species from Northern Chile. Systematic Botany 41(2): 457-463. https://doi.org/10.1600/036364416X691821

Sandoval-Leiva, P., N. Niveiro, R. Urbina-Casanova & R.A. Scherson. Lichenomphalia altoandina, a new species of Hygrophoraceae from the Chilean Altiplano. Mycologia 109(1): 92-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2017.1281682

Urbina-Casanova, R., P. Saldivia & R.A. Scherson. Systematic considerations of Chilean endemic vascular plant families and genera. Gayana Botanica 72(2): 272–295. (Spanish) http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-66432015000200011

Ranking

Your name:

Objectives sit within the larger PhD project and linked to another student proposal. This makes is somewhat complex to review (e.g., if other student does not get funded, how will this project work is not clear). Fascinating preliminary results that propose nomenclatural and taxonomic questions to follow up, as proposed in the project. The two distinct positions of the genus (and populations of one of the species) are distinct enough to be recognised separate, so i don't quite understand why phylogeographic study is needed, when the SANGER markers are enough to show the genus is not monophyletic and the two species S. myrtina and S. buxifolia are not closely related. Adding the Scutia species yet to be included has value, but based on results so far it is clear that Rhamnus diffusa is not part of Rhamnus (no need for further sequencing). Four previous publications on the topic proposed, one of them as first author. Strong CV with lost of publications and presentations. Budget applied covers sequencing costs.

Where does this proposal rank?

Notes and justification

Applicant Details

Country:

Target organism/s:

Previous publications

Applicant's CV

Proposal

Budget

Budget: $

2000

Chicago Botanic Garden and Northwestern University

Affiliation:

Grant Assessment

rcasanova@chicagobotanic.org

email:

Last Name: