Gareth Holmes (PhD candidate) , Dr Mark Blacket , Dr Andrew Drinnan and Ms Elizabeth James.

Molecular phylogenitic relationships in the south-eastern Australian holly leafed Grevillea (Proteaceae) species and the population biology of G. repens.

*In association with the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Funded by the Cybec Foundation. 

Grevillea (Proteaceae) is represented in Australia by over 360 species, making it the third most speciose plant genus in this country. Of the 19 currently recognised taxa representing the G. aquifolium ‘group’ found in south eastern Australia, 12 were included in the 1996 list of ‘Rare or Threatened Australian Plants’. A number of these holly-leafed ‘toothbrush’ grevilleas are narrowly endemic and may be at risk of localised extinction. Therefore, the major aim of this project is to obtain information of direct benefit to their conservation management. In addition, we are addressing larger questions relevant to the evolutionary biology of plants in small, isolated populations.

To help elucidate the phylogenetic relationships and help clarify the current taxonomy of species within the G. aquifolium ‘group’, I have analysed DNA sequence data from three chloroplast regions and a nuclear region (ITS). I have also been focussing on the population biology of the rare Creeping Grevillea (G. repens) which is restricted to central Victoria. For this species I have investigated the genetic differentiation and diversity of populations of varied size using microsatellite DNA markers and examined aspects of its pollination biology. Data from these studies are being utilised to examine factors that may be contributing to low reproductive output and fitness in G. repens populations.