Plant-Taxonomic Methods

C-module, Efterår 2001, 2 point, 10 ECTS

NOTE: Kurset foregår på engelsk

Aims
To introduce the fundamental methods in plant taxonomy. To discuss the relationship between formal classification and natural variation/processes. After completion of the course the participants should be able to produce a complete and publishable taxonomic revision

Contents
At the beginning of the course, the participants will be assigned a plant group that will be the object of practice during the various minor assignments throughout the course. As an introduction, herbarium techniques and methods for plant collection are described. A number of particularly useful morphological character complexes are discussed in some detail, such as seed morphology, trichomes, vasculature, and palynology. Some of the associated techniques are demonstrated and practised as a minor assignment. The use of cytological data is discussed and demonstrated. Relevant molecular methods, particularly DNA sequencing, are introduced and some of the techniques are demonstrated. Multivariate statistics are introduced, and data analyses are performed during a minor assignment. Cladistic methods are described and, in the form of a minor assignment, data matrices are constructed and analysed using parsimony. Classification theory is covered, and the relationship between natural variation/processes and the taxonomic hierarchy are discussed. Botanical nomenclature is treated as well as the construction of keys and formal botanical descriptions. The final minor assignment will be to present a formal classification of the allotted plant group, with keys and botanical descriptions. Strategies for publication of results are discussed.

Teaching curriculum
Full days (09:0016:00) all weekdays, Mondays through Fridays. Lectures and practical exercises will be combined depending on the subject. The entire course, including all written assignments will be in English.

Prerequisisite
A good general knowledge of plant morphology and biology.
Correspending to Almen Botanik (tilmeldt eller bestået eksamen).

Teaching material
Lecture notes and compendium in morphological techniques. Recommended introductory text: "Plant Taxonomy" by T. F. Stuessy (Columbia University Press,1990). A list of additional recommended literature will be presented at the beginning of the course.

Teachers
Henrik Balslev, Anders Barfod, Finn Borchsenius, Mats Gustafsson, Simon Lægaard, Ivan Nielsen, Fleming Nørgaard, Anni Sloth and Benjamin Øllgaard

Examination
Students must complete all assignments.

Remares
12 attendees with preference given to those who write their thesis in botany.