Fabian A. Michelangeli

Associate Curator, Institute of Systematic Botany

Ph.D., Cornell University
Ithaca, NY (2000)
"Evolution, systematics and ecology of the myrmecophytic genus Tococa (Melastomataceae) "
Expertise: Systematics and taxonomy of Melastomataceae, ant-plant interactions, floristics of the Guayana Highlands

Profile

My research focuses on the evolution and systematics of Neotropical plants and animal-plant interactions. I have focused most of my research in the large tropical family Melastomataceae. Currently I am working on an analysis of relationships within the tribe Miconieae, using molecular, anatomy and morphological data, in collaboration with Walter Judd (University of Florida), Renato Goldenberg (Universidade Federal do Parana) and Frank Almeda (California Academy of Sciences). These phylogenies will be used for the study of character evolution within the group. I am particularly interested in ant-plant symbiotic relationships, especially in those cases in which the ants nest on the plant, protecting the plant against herbivores (myrmecophytism). This type of associations is found in over 80 species of Melastomataceae and has evolved independently in different lineages.  Other lines of research include chloroplast evolution of the grass family (Poaceae) and its close allies (Ecdeicoleaeceae, Restionaceae and Joinvilleaceae),(in collaboration with Jerry Davis, Cornell University and Dennis Stevenson, NYBG), and plant ecology and floristics in the Guayana Highlands (tepuis) in southern Venezuela.