The genus Lysipomia was chosen as the subject of a systematic revision because most of the species are narrow endemics of high elevation Andean paramo and puna. The only two widespread species occur at the latitudinal and elevational extremes for the genus. Endemics are found throughout the Andes but most occur adjacent to the major geologic division of the northern Andes known as the Piura Divide or the Huancabamba Depression.

This Ecuadorian/Peruvian "hot-bed" of narrow endemics directly correlates with a considerable gap seen in the distribution of the widespread species. This unique distribution, coupled with two evolutionary levels of differentiation (the widespread species have many recognized geographical subspecies), has made Lysipomia an excellent subject for phylogenetics, studies of biogeography, speciation, and the origin of adaptations.

The goals of the research were to produce a monograph of the genus and a species-level phylogeny, based on morphology, anatomy, cytology, and molecular data (nrITS sequences and restriction site mutations in the chloroplast genome). The phylogenies were then used to formulate hypotheses regarding the origin and radiation of the genus and the origin of adaptations to high elevation environments. Activities included four trips to South America (three by the PI and one by Dotti, the graduate assistant) during 1996-1998 to collect material for the research. Thirty-five of the 40 species were recollected, including 10 new species. Based upon loans from all major herbaria, two of the new species had never been previously collected so that the types made during this field work represent the only collections in existence. Range extensions were made for the widespread species and some species previously known only from the type localities. All aspects of the herbarium studies and laboratory research were shared with the various undergraduate research assistants. Plants were grown from seed in a very cold walk-in growth chamber. Mitotic chromosome counts were made from root tips. Morphological characteristics were studies under a dissecing scope. SEM and light microscopy studies were done on pollen, seeds, leaf cross sections, and roots. Total DNA was extracted and used in restriction reactions and for PCR amplifictions. Students helped code data sets, align sequences, and run cladistic analyses. During a one semester sabbatical, spring 1999, type specimens at the Natural History Museum in Paris (P) were examined and the PI learned mapping skills necessary to generate biogeographic hypotheses from faculty and graduate students who comprise the Andes Project, Geology Department, Cornell University, Ithaca.

To date, the results of the research have been presented in five presentations at various meetings including the Peruvian Botanical Congress in 1998. Co-authored presentations were made by the graduate student and two undergraduates. The PI also gave two invited lectures on the research, as well as various lectures illustrating current systematic research in her plant taxonomy class.

Presentations with Published Abstracts

Ayers, T.J. and A. Hindman. 1996. Evolution of contractile roots in Lysipomia. Amer. J. Bot. 83:162.

Ayers, T. J., K. Husinga, and A. Hindman. 1997. Systematics of Lysipomia: evolution in a páramo endemic. Amer. J. Bot. 84:174.

Dotti, K. R. and T. J. Ayers. 1997. Resolving the phylogeny of Lysipomia using nrITS sequences. Amer. J. Bot. 84:188.

Ayers, T. J. and K. R. Dotti. 1998. Systemática de Lysipomia: La historia evolutiva de un endémico del Páramo. Resumenes de Congreso Nacional de Botanica VII, Cajamarca Perú. Price, Kevin and Tina Ayers. 1999.

Price, K. and T. J. Ayers. 1999. Systematic Significance of Pollen Morphology in Lysipomia (Campanulaceae): The use of pollen in determining phylogenetic relationships and observations on inadvertent artifact production. AZ-NV Acad. Sci. Suppl. 34.