Systematics and Genetics of Liliales
Systematic studies of Liliales are an ongoing focus of monocot studies at Kew.
Among the major advances of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification (APG, 1998, APG II, 2003, APG III, 2009) was the resolution of which families belong in Liliales and how they are related to each other. These phylogenetic studies, many of which were done at Kew, have revolutionised concepts of Liliaceae and Liliales, with many groups previously thought to be related to the true lilies being transferred to other orders. Some of these relationships are supported by anatomical features in addition to data from DNA sequences.
Order-wide studies based on a collaboration with groups in the USA, Europe and elsewhere have provided a phylogenetic tree in which most branches are strongly supported. This is now being used as a framework for studies focusing on character evolution, floral development, genome evolution etc. At Kew, current work within the order is focused on phylogenetic studies in Liliaceae, with detailed studies being undertaken of Fritillaria, Gagea and Tulipa. Genome size evolution in Liliaceae and Melanthiaceae is another major focus of study.
Project Team
Selected CVs
Project Leader: Fay, Michael F.
Herbarium
Paul Wilkin
HPE
Richard Wilford
Jodrell Laboratory
Mark Chase, Mike Fay, Paula Rudall, Laura Kelly, Ilia Leitch, Jaume Pellicer
Project Partners and Collaborators
Australia
University of Adelaide
Canada
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Denmark
University of Copenhagen
Kenya
National Museums of Kenya
Korea
Kyungwon University
UK
Imperial, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London
NHM Botany
USA
Columbia University
Cornell University
Missouri Botanical Garden
University of Hawaii
