Unit of Systematic botany
Lab of Lab. of molecular systematics andpollination biology; herbarium.
tel. ++39.51.2091309
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.
- Pollination biology. The objective of this research is to investigate the reproductive strategies of Mediterranean species with a narrow and/or fragmented distribution, with special emphasis on pollination. 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. Recent studies have been carried out on Legumes, particularly Cytiseae. The aim is to evaluate reproductive efficiency in small isolated populations in the Mediterranean environment.
- 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)
Patents :
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Selected Publications :
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 :
Reproductive success in plants: the role of floral rewards and signals : Universities of Siena, Calabria
Pollination biology : University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece
Pollination biology : CNRS Montpellier, France
Links :
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Research group :
Annalisa Managlia (Technician)
Umberto Mossetti (Technician)
Alessandro Fisogni (PhD student)
Silvia Crema (PhD student)
Martina Rossi (PhD student)
Marta Galloni (Research Associate)
Lucia Conte (Research Associate)
Giovanni Cristofolini (Full professor)
