World Classification and Phylogeny of Salicaceae sensu stricto
Salix serissima. Credit: P. Hoffmann.
Despite the importance of Salicaceae sensu stricto as valuable resources for bioremediation and a potential biofuel there is no universally accepted classification. The species of this family are notoriously difficult to identify because of the great intraspecific variability and the supposed ease with which they hybridise. The aim of the project, funded for two years by an Incoming Researcher Marie Curie Fellowship of the European Union, is to create a definitive classification of the family.
Morphological analysis will be used to characterise all described taxa and hybrids of both genera, Salix L. and Populus L. of Salicaceae sensu stricto, comprising approximately 620 species worldwide. Outputs will include a comprehensive DELTA database of characters, taxonomically validated names, synonyms, bibliographic details, geographical distribution, illustrations and taxonomic comments. The database will be used to create a checklist and an interactive key to be published on the internet. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using plastid and nuclear genetic markers will also be used to establish phylogenetic relationships within these two genera.
Project Team
Project Leader: Belyaeva, Irina
Herbarium
Irina V. Belyaeva, Petra Hoffmann, Gill Challen, Alan Paton, Don Kirkup, Rafaël Govaerts
Jodrell Laboratory
Mark W. Chase
Project Partners and Collaborators
Russia
Botanical Garden of Russian Academy of Science, Ural Branch, Ekaterinburg
Funders
European Union
Incoming Researcher Marie Curie Fellowship