Staff Spotlight
Dr. Matthew A. Gitzendanner
Collection Manager, Laboratory of Molecular Systematics and Evolutionary Genetics
301 Dickinson Hall
Museum Road & Newell Drive
Gainesville, FL 32611
Tel: (352) 273-1960
Fax: (352) 846-2154
Email: magitz - add "@ufl.edu" for full address
Ph.D. Washington State University, 2000
Laboratory of Molecular Systematics and Evolutionary Genetics
Concurrent Appointments
Assistant Scientist, Department of Botany
Research Interests
I am a population geneticist focusing on conservation genetics and evolutionary biology. One of the main goals of my research is to understand the genetic properties or rare species. Only through a better understanding of rarity, will it be possible to effectively manage the genetic diversity of the ever increasing numbers of species threatened with extinction. Moving beyond populations to species, I am also interested in studying the evolutionary dynamics of speciation.
Current Research Projects
- Ziziphus celata conservation genetics: Ziziphus celata is a federally endangered shrub species restricted to a handful of populations in the Lake Wales Ridge of central Florida. I am currently investigating the genetic properties of Ziziphus, identifying both variation in natural populations, as well as providing data for the choice of individuals in introduced populations. Additionally, I am investigating the genetic mechanism that controls self incompatibility to facilitate the production of seedlings for introductions.
- Lomatium phylogenetics: With about 90 species, the genus Lomatium is endemic to western North America. Species relationships within the genus are poorly understood. I am currently working on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus. Using this phylogeny, I will focus on a small group of species that contains rare and widespread species and study the evolutionary dynamics leading to specieation as well as the population genetic factors effecting commonness.
Courses Taught
Botany 6935: Special Topics, Population Genetics. When needed, please contact me if you are interested in this course.
Representative Publications
Oliveira, L. O., R. B. Huck, M. A. Gitzendanner, W. S. Judd, D. E. Soltis, and P. S. Soltis. Molecular phylogeny, biogeography, and systematics of Dicerandra (Lamiaceae), a genus endemic to the southeastern United States. American Journal of Botany, in press.
Mavrodiev, E. V., M. Tancing, A. M. Sherwood, M. A. Gitzendanner, J. Rocca, P. S. Soltis, D. E. Soltis. Phylogenetic relationships in Tragopogon L. (Asteraceae) based on ITS and ETS sequence data. International Journal of Plant Sciences, in press.
Mavrodiev, E. V., C. E. Edwards, D. C. Albach, M. A. Gitzendanner, P. S. Soltis, and D. E. Soltis. Phylogenetic Relationships in Subtribe Scorzonerinae (Asteraceae: Cichorioideae: Lactuceae) Based on ITS Sequence Data. Taxon, in press.
Gitzendanner, M.A., and P.S. Soltis. 2001. Genetic variation in rare and widespread Lomatium species (Apiaceae): a comparison of AFLP and SSCP data. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 58:347-356.
Gitzendanner, M. A., and P. S. Soltis. 2000. Patterns of genetic variation in rare and widespread plant congeners. American Journal of Botany 87:777-786.
Soltis, P. S., and M. A. Gitzendanner. 1999. Molecular systematics and the conservation of rare species. Conservation Biology 13:471-483.
Kinloch, B. B. Jr., R. D. Westfall, E. E. White, M. A. Gitzendanner, G. E. Dupper, B. M. Foord, and P. D Hodgskiss. 1998. Genetics of Cronartium ribicola. IV. Population structure in western North America. Canadian Journal of Botany 76:91-98.
Soltis, D. E., M. A. Gitzendanner, D. D. Strenge, and P. S. Soltis. 1997. Chloroplast DNA intraspecific phylogeography of plants from the Pacific Northwest. Plant Systematics and Evolution 206:353-373.
Gitzendanner, M. A., E. E. White, B. M. Foord, G. E. Dupper, P. D. Hodgskiss, and B. B. Kinloch Jr. 1996. Genetics of Cronartium ribicola. III. Mating system. Canadian Journal of Botany 74:1852-1859.