Ferns Taxonomy and Evolution

Our team studies fern and lycophyte diversity, focusing on the evolutionary and developmental processes that drive their remarkable diversity and morphological variation. By integrating fieldwork, phylogenomics, evo-devo, and herbarium research, we address fundamental questions about the evolution of these plant lineages.

The Ferns Taxonomy and Evolution Program at BRIT is led by Research Botanist Dr. Alejandra Vasco.

Program/Area Summary

The Program focuses broadly on taxonomy, systematics, and evolution of these two plant lineages. We ask questions about species diversity, evolutionary relationships among taxa, trait evolution using comparative methods, and the role that genes play in plant morphological diversity. Our work, whether on ferns or lycophytes, integrates techniques from several disciplines, including traditional specimen-based research in herbaria, fieldwork, anatomy, phylogenetic systematics, and evolutionary genomics. We are a diverse team with many ongoing projects. Check our research projects and write us if you are interested in joining.

Current Research

Ferns of Colombia

The Ferns of Colombia project is a long-held dream of one of its principal investigators and BRIT Research Botanist, Dr. Alejandra Vasco. Funded by the National Science Foundation to document plant diversity in one of the most species-rich countries on Earth, Alejandra and colleagues are racing against time to find new fern species threatened by climate change and other human activities. When it comes to ferns, Alejandra’s specialty, Colombia holds the greatest species diversity in the Americas with more than 1500 species. This project embraces a multi-pronged approach: revising historical collections deposited in herbaria; performing field expeditions to understudied regions of Colombia; and producing new digital research tools and genomic resources. The project also helps improve scientific collaboration by providing training for US and Colombian students in biodiversity research.

National Science Foundation Grant (DEB-2045319)

For the most updated content of this research, visit the project website: www.fernsofcolombia.com

For videos visit our Youtube channel

Taxonomy and Systematics of Ferns and Lycophytes

We are interested in describing and understanding the diversity of ferns and lycophytes. For example, what the species are and where they occur—something often poorly known for tropical species and key to conservation efforts. We also study the evolutionary relationships among species. We generate phylogenetic trees based on DNA sequences that show how the species are related and use the trees as a framework for answering questions about character evolution, biogeography, and evolutionary processes.

Ferns and Lycophytes of Texas

Texas is home to over 127 native fern and lycophyte species across diverse habitats, from piney woods to desert canyons. Our research documents their distribution, ecological roles, and evolutionary connections. By understanding these plants, we help guide conservation and foster appreciation for their place in Texas’s natural heritage.

Evolution and Development of Leaves

The evolution of leaves changed life on Earth. We study the expression and phylogeny of leaf development genes in lycophytes and ferns to better understand the evolution and development of leaves in the land plants.