Presentation Title
Se Llama Calaguala: Examining the Ethnobotanical History and Phylogeny of Phlebodium
Abstract
In markets throughout Mexico and Central America, various Phlebodium species are sold for medicinal purposes under the shared name “Calaguala”. Historically the name “Calaguala” has been applied to fern species that are both closely- and distantly-related to Phlebodium and that range geographically from the Peruvian Andes to parts of Florida and California. Our research aims to piece together the story of how the term “Calaguala” has been used and understood by locals, traditional healers, and field botanists throughout Latin America over time. This will be accomplished by analyzing ethnobotanical literature as well as historical botanical documents that date back to the early 1800’s. Apart from its ethnobotanical significance, Phlebodium is intriguing since there is discrepancy among the scientific community as to how many species of it exist. Our research tests two hypotheses that serve to clarify the phylogenetic relationships between potential Phlebodium species. Specifically we are interested in recognizing hybrid species and challenging the argument that P. araneosum is not a distinct species. We hypothesize that 1) a hybrid tetraploid, P. aureum, exists from a cross between P. pseudoaureum and P. decumanum and 2) P. araneosum is a distinct species rather than a subspecies of P. pseudoaureum. Our investigation may also provide insight into the existence of a fertile hybrid from crossing P. pseudoaureum and P. araneosum, thereby painting a fuller picture of the diversity of Phlebodium. The morphology and genomics of each species of interest will be analyzed through microscopic observation and Sanger sequencing.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Michael Sundue
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Plant Biology
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Se Llama Calaguala: Examining the Ethnobotanical History and Phylogeny of Phlebodium
In markets throughout Mexico and Central America, various Phlebodium species are sold for medicinal purposes under the shared name “Calaguala”. Historically the name “Calaguala” has been applied to fern species that are both closely- and distantly-related to Phlebodium and that range geographically from the Peruvian Andes to parts of Florida and California. Our research aims to piece together the story of how the term “Calaguala” has been used and understood by locals, traditional healers, and field botanists throughout Latin America over time. This will be accomplished by analyzing ethnobotanical literature as well as historical botanical documents that date back to the early 1800’s. Apart from its ethnobotanical significance, Phlebodium is intriguing since there is discrepancy among the scientific community as to how many species of it exist. Our research tests two hypotheses that serve to clarify the phylogenetic relationships between potential Phlebodium species. Specifically we are interested in recognizing hybrid species and challenging the argument that P. araneosum is not a distinct species. We hypothesize that 1) a hybrid tetraploid, P. aureum, exists from a cross between P. pseudoaureum and P. decumanum and 2) P. araneosum is a distinct species rather than a subspecies of P. pseudoaureum. Our investigation may also provide insight into the existence of a fertile hybrid from crossing P. pseudoaureum and P. araneosum, thereby painting a fuller picture of the diversity of Phlebodium. The morphology and genomics of each species of interest will be analyzed through microscopic observation and Sanger sequencing.