Dr James Clugston ‘Towards a better understanding into the Bush Peas Mirbelieae (Fabaceae) in Australia’

Recent evidence shows that the tribe Mirbelieae is greatly underdescribed and James, from the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, will talk about recent advances in DNA sequencing of Mirbelieae that has helped a consensus on the taxonomic relationship of species and genera within the tribe.

Abstract
The tribe Mirbelieae (Fabaceae; bush peas and their relatives), consist of 18 genera and c. 540 species, includes 32% of Australia’s pea flora. Species within the tribe have a wide distribution across Australia, occupying habitats from coastal to alpine zones, and wet forests to arid deserts. But recent evidence shows that Mirbelieae is greatly underdescribed, and phylogenetics has so far been ineffective in aiding in the understanding of the evolution and relationships among and between species. However, recent advances in DNA sequencing of Mirbelieae has helped to make a consensus on the taxonomic relationship of species and genera within the tribe.

Biography
Dr James Clugston is a systematic botanist with a broad interest in morphological and genetic diversity of both angiosperms and gymnosperms. His research interests focus on molecular and morphological diversity and evolution of both angiosperms and gymnosperms. HIs current projects use novel molecular DNA sequencing techniques to address taxonomic questions and identify genetic diversity in the pea family (Fabaceae). He likes to use a broad range of molecular techniques and approaches in conservation genomics, systematics, phylogenetics, and plant evolution to explain and unravel complex taxonomic questions. Such research addresses questions relating to the genetic diversity and history of species, to critical genetic issues for conservation, and documentation of fundamental diversity.

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