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Generally, I am interested in the evolution of plant functional traits. Most ecophysiological plant studies lack a phylogenetic perspective, while most plant evolutionary studies focus on anatomical/developmental/biogeographical aspects of the lineage in question. Including ecophysiological information in these sorts of studies allows for a more thorough understanding of whole plant evolution and the relationship between form and function. Similarly, tracing the evolutionary history of ecophysiological traits throughout one lineage, rather than comparing traits across a random assortment of lineages, provides for a finer picture of their relative roles in ecological adaptation. Currently I am working with Pereskia (Cactaceae), 17 species of leafy shrubs and trees that have long been thought to represent the “ancestral cactus”. My thesis work focuses on answering two main questions: 1) how are Pereskia species related to other cacti? and 2) how do they regulate their water use? Ultimately I hope to use this information to infer the physiological conditions that preceded the evolutionary loss of leaves in the cacti.Erika's publications
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