Project:BB|2892

Title
Peperomia
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URL
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Abstract

The Peperomia collection now includes some 1000 specimens of approximately 350 species, and is still increasing. It is together with the Peperomia collection of our German cooperation partners in the Botanical Garden of the Technical University Dresden the largest and most representative ex-situ living collection of Peperomia in the world.   The specimens of our collection are distributed among several greenhouses according to their temperature and humidity preferences. The majority of the species is housed in one greenhouse where they are organised according to their phylogenetic relationships and collection origin. All Andean succulent species and the geophytic species are in the neighbouring greenhouse  with lower temperature and humidity. The species from Madagascar and some epiphytes growing on bark need the high humidity in the tree fern house. The collection is not open to the public except for some Andean species in the succulent greenhouse. Nevertheless, it is possible to visit the collection behind the scenes upond demand. The collection is invaluable for our research. From a molecular point of view, DNA-isolation from succulent leaves is only possible from living plants because the DNA deteriorates very fast during the drying process of the plant. Moreover, fast growth of fungi contaminates the DNA finally. From a morphological point of view are many characters lost during drying: e.g. leaf succulence, fruit morphology. Because of the succulent nature of many Peperomia species, many specimens are badly dried and worthless for thorough morphological research. Until now, two expeditions have been entirely dedicated to the genus Peperomia: one to Madagascar in 2001 and one to Ecuador in 2004. Both expeditions yielded several species new to science. More expeditions to Central and South America are planned in the next few years.

Keywords

Classifications

Genetic {Integration level}
Species {Integration level}
Ecosystem {Integration level}
International (non-EU) {Cooperation status}
Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable use of Biodiversity {Research orientation}
Africa {Geographical scope}
Australia {Geographical scope}
Mexico {Geographical scope}
Central America {Geographical scope}
Northern South America {Geographical scope}
Brazil {Geographical scope}
Dry and Sub-humid Lands {Habitat type}
Forest {Habitat type}
Island {Habitat type}
Mountain {Habitat type}
Ex-situ Conservation {Research purpose}
Magnoliophyta {Taxonomical scope}

People

Name Role Start End
Vanderschaeve, Liesbeth member
Mathieu, Guido member
Samain, Marie-Stéphanie member
Goetghebeur, Paul promotor

Orgunits

Name Role Start End
Ghent University Botanical Garden member
Research Group Spermatophytes member

Collaborations

Name Role Start End
Phylogeny and evolution of the genus Peperomia (Piperaceae) partner

created:2011-12-14 14:18:59 UTC, source:web

© 2012 by the Belgian Biodiversity Platform