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    Published: January 5, 2015

    Molecular Evolution of Quillworts (Isoetes)

    Stephanie Ware, Manager, Morphology Labs, SEM

    Project Mentors: Dr. Matt von Konrat (Head of Botanical Collections, Collections Manager (Bryophytes & Ferns), Gantz Family Collections Center) and Dr. Felix Grewe (Postdoctoral Researcher, Integrative Research Center)

    Project Description: Quillworts (Isoetes) belong to the oldest group of vascular plants on earth, the Lycophytes, which were the most diverse plant species during the Carboniferous period around 310 million years ago. However, the approximately 150 Isoetes species in existence today are very difficult to distinguish by their general appearance. Therefore, a phylogenetic reconstruction of this plant group requires microscopic analyses of spores and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA marker sequences. In this project, we will take advantage of the large selection of herbarium specimens to revisit the phylogeny of this unique plant group. A special focus of this project will be to define the enigmatic phylogenetic position of two South American species which were initially separated into the genus Stylites.

    Research methods and techniques: REU participants in this project will receive training in molecular and organismal research methods. They will learn how important a combination of both methods is for an understanding of the evolution of the diversity of life. The training will include an introduction to the literature, handling of herbarium specimens, microscopic analyses on morphology, and molecular techniques including DNA isolation, PCR, and subsequent direct sequencing of certain gene regions. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data will be performed.

    Stephanie Ware
    Manager, Morphology Labs

    Stephanie started volunteering at the Field Museum in 1998, working with Curator John Bates in the Bird Division. In 1999, John Bates hired her as a research assistant. After that project finished in 2007, she went to work for Carl Dick in the Division of Insects helping him to complete his work on the museum's Bat Fly collection. She spent a great deal of time generating images for the Bat Fly portion of theDiptera Taxonomy Database. When Carl left for University of Kentucky in 2009, she continued her imaging work in the Insect Division. In the intervening years, she has imaged hundreds specimens, mostly types, from the rove beetle (Staphylinidae), ant and myriapoda collections.

    Stephanie began working with the Chicago Peregrine Program in 2006.  Initially, she monitored the Metropolitan Correctional Center nest in downtown Chicago.  Over time, her duties have expanded to include other nests in the metro region, emphasizing the identification of nesting adults.  In March of 2007, Stephanie created a group called Midwest Peregrine Falcons on the photo sharing website Flickr with the goal of providing a place for photographers across the country to submit their photographs of peregrine sightings in the Midwestern United States. She also has many of her own peregrine photos on Flickr as well.