Research Grants

This page is used to provide your ranking for each application. Please use the section below the application details to enter your name, your scores, and any notes on the application.

Resolving infrageneric and infraspecific complexities in the genus Anaphalis (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae) DC. in India utilizing morpho-molecular evidences

Project summary:

This project applies an integrative taxonomic approach to resolve species limits in two problematic Anaphalis (Asteraceae) complexes in India, combining field surveys, herbarium visits, detailed morphology, including SEM-based cypselae micromorphology, and molecular phylogenetics to clarify infraspecific and infrageneric boundaries and improve taxonomic stability of the genus.

First Name:

Priya Singh

Highest degree:

Master of Science in Botany

Year obtained:

2022

Applicant Status:

Other

India

Flowering plants

Relevant publications (minimum 1, maximum 4):

Kushwaha P.S. & A. Bhattacharjee 2025. A comprehensive overview of the genus Anaphalis DC. (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) in India. Nelumbo 67(2):41–61. https://doi.org/10.20324/nelumbo/v67/2025/173513

Ranking

Your name:

This proposal addresses a genuine taxonomic problem in an Indian center of diversity for Anaphalis, focusing on two difficult complexes where morphology-based circumscriptions are unstable and misidentifications are common. The strengths are the integrative design (targeted recollection including type-locality efforts, explicit type study, and cypsela micromorphology via SEM) and a focused, fundable set of activities that directly supports a broader PhD revision. The molecular plan (ITS/ETS plus trnL–F) is suitable for an initial delimitation framework and will add needed sequence data, but it is a limitation for the stated goal of “building a phylogeny”: the sampling is essentially India-centered and does not include fresh sampling of extra-Indian species, which weakens any broader phylogenetic claims for the genus. In addition, three Sanger markers may be insufficient for recent divergence/reticulation, and the proposal would benefit from clearer sampling targets per taxon/population and explicit decision criteria for species versus infraspecific ranks. The scope remains feasible and likely to deliver strong nomenclatural and identification outcomes, but the phylogeny objective should be reframed (India-focused clade framework) or expanded in sampling.

Where does this proposal rank?

Notes and justification

Applicant Details

Country:

Target organism/s:

Previous publications

Applicant's CV

Proposal

Budget

Budget: $

2000

Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India

Affiliation:

Grant Assessment

psk.phylo@gmail.com

email:

Last Name:

Kushwaha