Unit of Systematic botany
Lab of Lab. of molecular systematics andpollination biology; herbarium.
tel. ++39.51.2091320/ 2091318
fax ++39.51.242576
Group Leader: prof. Giovanni Cristofolini
E-mail : giovann.cristofolini@unibo.it
Research in progress :
- Plant molecular systematics. Research is aimed at estimating molecular diversity in isolated populations of Mediterranean species with a narrow and/or fragmented distribution. Methods employed include RAPDs, RFLP, AFLP. The following species were studied in recent years: Cytisus aeolicus, C. emeriflorus, Abies nebrodensis, Quercus crenata. Our aim is to define the amount and partition of genetic diversity, in order to understand the species' reproductive structure, to assess their possible endangerment, and to devise conservation strategies. A new research on population diversity and conservation of Primula apennina is now in progress.
- Reproductive ecology. Our aim is to provide insights into population dynamics and reproductive patterns of rare entomophilous plant species with a narrow and/or fragmented distribution, with special emphasis on pollination. Investigations are carried out in the field on natural populations, followed by appropriate lab analyses. Methods include monitoring and sampling of pollinating insects in natural stands, qualitative and quantitative analysis of pollen carried by the insects, qualitative and quantitative analysis of floral rewards, identification of mechanisms preventing self-pollination, estimates of resource allocation and partition. Plant's mating system, reproductive output and pollen limitation are investigated to elucidate the repercussions of plant-pollinator interactions for gene flow and population persistence and to obtain combined information on biological traits (reproductive mode, dispersal behaviour) and demography of populations (size and structure). Natural populations of Primula apennina, Dictamnus albus and Gentiana lutea are examined for the following purposes: 1) to analyze the role of floral rewards on insects' attraction and behaviour; 2) to evaluate the pressure of eventual deficit in pollinator service and pollen supply on the stability of small and fragmented populations; 3) to study and compare the mating systems of species phylogenetically and taxonomically related, in order to enlighten the evolution of strategies themselves and the adaptive value of pollination systems; 4) to estimate the size and define the demographic structure of wild populations, in order to provide information on their conservation and identify possible effects of risk factors on their future persistence; 5) to study phylogenetic relationship among Gentiana sect. Gentiana species.
- Herbaria and history of botany. This line of studies is focused on ancient herbaria, from Ulisse Aldrovandi to Antonio Bertoloni, and on the history of botany in Bologna from the 16th to the 18th century.
Funding :
- CNR 2000 "Programma strategico"
- PRIN 2000 (MIUR)
- PRIN 2003 (MIUR)
- PRIN 2005 (MIUR)
- PRIN 2008 (MIUR)
- Life+ Nature & Biodiversity LIFE09 NAT/IT/000212 www.pp-icon.eu
Patents :
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Selected Publications :
- Fisogni A., Cristofolini G., Podda L., Galloni M. 2011 Reproductive ecology in the endemic Primula apennina Widmer (Primulaceae) Plant Biosystems 145 DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2011.563514
- Fisogni A., Cristofolini G., Rossi M., Galloni M. 2011 Pollinator directionality as a response to nectar gradient: promoting outcrossing while avoiding geitonogamy Plant Biology doi:10.1111/j.1438-8677.2011.0.
- Crema S., Cristofolini G., Rossi M., Conte L. 2009 High genetic diversity detected in the endemic Primula apennina Widmer (Primulaceae) using ISSR fingerprinting Plant Systematics and Evolution 280 29-36
- Galloni M., Podda L., Vivarelli D., Quaranta M., Cristofolini G. 2008 Visitor diversity and pollinator specialization in Mediterranean legumes FLORA 203: 94-102
- Galloni M., Podda L., Vivarelli D., Cristofolini G. 2007 Pollen presentation, pollen-ovule ratios, and other reproductive traits in Mediterranean Legumes (Fam. Fabaceae - Subfam. Faboideae) PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION 266: 147-164
- Andrieu E., Debussche M., Galloni M., Thompson J.D. 2007 The interplay of pollination, costs of reproduction and plant size in maternal fertility limitation in perennial Paeonia officinalis OECOLOGIA 152: 515 - 524
- Cristofolini, G. & Crema, S. 2005 A morphometric study of Quercus crenata Lam. species complex (Fagaceae). Botanica Helvetica 115: 155 - 167
- Cafferty S., Jarvis CE, Cristofolini G, Duman H, Edmonson J, Förther H, Wells EF, Gibbs P, Güner A, Jonsell B, Majorov S, Mill M, Miller J, Moberg R, Reveal J, Selvi F, Sokoloff D. 2004 Typification of Linnean plant names in Boraginaceae. Taxon 53: 799- 805
- Conte L, Cotti C, Schicchi R, Raimondo F, Cristofolini G. 2004 Detection of ephemeral genetic sub-structure in the narrow endemic Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei (Pinaceae) using RAPD markers. Plant Biosystems 138: 279-289
- Caputo P, Cristofolini G, Jury SL. 2003 Approccio molecolare alla filogenesi del genere Genista L. (Fabaceae). Inform.Bot.Ital. 35: 253-254
- Cristofolini G, Conte L. 2003 Genetic diversity, reproductive biology, and conservation strategies of endangered species. Bocconea 16 (1): 445-453
- Galloni M, Cristofolini G. 2003 Floral rewards and pollination in Cytiseae (Fabaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 238: 127 - 137
- Conte L, Cristofolini G. 2003 Assessment of RAPD variation in Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei (Pinaceae) using haploid tissue analysis. Israel J.Plant Sciences 51:199-206
- Cristofolini G, Conte L. 2002 Phylogenetic patterns and endemism genesis in Cytisus Desf. and related genera. Israel J.Plant Sciences 50. 37-50
- Cristofolini G., Galloni M. 2001 Guida alle piante legnose dell'Emilia-Romagna. Editrice Compositori, Bologna 223 pp
- Conte L, Cristofolini G. 2000 Infraspecific diversity of Cytisus emeriflorus Reichenb. (Leguminosae), an endemic plant with disjunct distribution: evidence from isozyme data. Plant Biosystems 134 : 373-384
Postgraduate training :
- PhD in "Biodiversity and evolution" : Molecular systematics and reproductive biology of plants
Collaborations :
Pollination biology : University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece
Pollination biology : CNRS Montpellier, France
Reproductive success in plants: the role of floral rewards and signals : Universities of Siena, Calabria
Progetto Life+ PP-ICON : CRA-Apicoltura
Progetto Life+ PP-ICON : Fondazione Villa Ghigi, Bologna
Links :
Life+ Project PP-ICON website
www.pp-icon.eu
Research group :
Martina Rossi (PhD student)
Marta Galloni (Research Associate)
Lucia Conte (Associate Professor)
Giovanni Cristofolini (Retired professor)
Annalisa Managlia (Technician)
Umberto Mossetti (Technician)
Alessandro Fisogni (Research fellowship)
