About This Project
Little is known about the origins of the blue-pygmy flower (genus Monnina). Monnina has about 150 species and is common in disturbed areas throughout the New World. Birds, ants and bees likely rely on these plants because of the nectar and fleshy fruits produced by Monnina. We are looking for your support for this project so that we can propose a new classification for this group of plants and to determine how Monnina arrived to the USA.Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Monnina belongs to the snake-root family Polygalaceae . Polygalaceae is closely related to the pea-family ( Legumes) and it grows mainly in the tropical regions of the world.
Monnina only grows in the New World, and has approximately 150 species. About 74% of the genus is restricted to the Tropical Andes and Mesoamerica, and the remaining 25% occurs primarily in open areas of southern South America . Interestingly, only one species, the blue-pygmy flower (Monnina wrightii) reaches New Mexico and Arizona.
Ongoing research suggests that this group originated in South America and migrated to North America. More data/studies are needed to determine when this migration happened.
What is the significance of this project?
This study could provide answers as to how species that grow in Argentina/Bolivia arrived to Mexico and North America, but left no trace of their presence in Central America and the northern South America (or maybe the direction was in the other way?).
We could also have better support for the classification within this highly diverse plant group. Many species grow in very small areas, and could be threatened for extinction. A clear understanding about their distribution and relationships could provide guidance for their protection.
What are the goals of the project?
With phylogenetic hypotheses presented in my current research, I expect to answer the questions below:
Q. Is the high number of Monnina due to a recent rapid radiation event, as has been observed in other genera of Fabales (e.g., Lupinus)?
Q. Did all the North American and Mesoamerican species of Monnina migrate from South America after the formation of the Panama land bridge during the Late Pliocene?
Q. How many dispersal events took place within Monnina and in which direction did they occur?
Budget
Although I have DNA data and hypothesis regarding the relationships among species in Monnina as well as its origin, more molecular data and further analyses are needed. With more evidence at hand, I will be able to have more confidence in my results and conclusions. Since this project has been funded so far with my own money or with small grants, I will need additional support to obtaining the additional data. For the analysis of the data, I would need to work in close collaboration with a colleague from England. The requested funds will be for me to travel to England and continue the research/analysis there.
In order to answer my questions, additional molecular research is needed, with the obtained funds it will be possible for me to cover laboratory expenses and also to travel and work in collaboration with colleagues in the UK.
Without your support, it would be very difficult for me to continue with this research and to perform these analyses with the help of another specialist in my plant group.
Meet the Team
Team Bio
I am botanist from the mountains in Ecuador. During my childhood, my father used to take us hiking to the nearby mountains. Since then I knew I liked plants, and nature.I have been working with the plant genus Monnina since I was an undergraduate in Ecuador and a graduate in Brazil. After a hiatus of many years, I have returned to work with my first love, Monnina!
The genus has more than 400 names and the species grow from Southern USA to Chile/Argentina/Uruguay/Brazil. This genus is widely distributed, and has an important ecological role due to presence of nectaries at the base of leaves and flowers, fleshy or dry fruits, attractive flowers, and roots with methyl salicilate.
Now I am working on the phylogeny of the group using DNA, and after I finish my dissertation, I would like to do the taxonomic revision of the whole genus, starting subgenus by subgenus.
Since for my field trips I need to be in shape, I train martial arts (Shindo Muso Ryu, Aikido, Krav Maga, and Kick Boxing).
Alina Freire-Fierro
HI! I am an Ecuadorian botanist who have been interested in plants and since early on. My father used to take me and my siblings for hikes in the mountains nearby Banios de Agua Santa, my hometown. I loved and cherished those activities! I have been working in the plant genus Monnina since I was an undergraduate. The genus has more than 400 names and the species grow from Southern USA to Chile and Uruguay. This genus is widely distributed, and has an important ecological role due to presence of extra-floral nectaries, fleshy fruits, zygomorphic flowers with secondary pollen presentation, cleistogamy, and roots with methyl salicilate. Now I am working on the phylogeny of the group using DNA, and after I finish my dissertation, I would like to do the taxonomic revision of the whole genus, starting subgroup by subgroup.
Since I need to be in shape for my collecting field trips, I train martial arts (Shindo Muso Ryu, Krav Maga, and Kickboxig!).
Lab Notes
Nothing posted yet.
Additional Information
The brightly fruits are very likely an important food resource for birds. Another food source, for ants, would be the nectar produce by the nectaries at the bases of flowers and/or leaves. A third resource, it is likely the nectar harvested by the visiting bees.
Project Backers
- 1Backers
- 11%Funded
- $405Total Donations
- $405.00Average Donation