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Plant Phylogeny and Evolution

Research topics

We focus on the phylogenetics, evolution, taxonomy and biogeography of plants, specifically those from a very economically important family Apiaceae, which includes crops such as carrot, celery, parsley, fennel, dill, coriander, aniseed and others. Though our research is not applicable, the understanding of the evolutionary relationships between crops and their wild brethren is vital for agriculture and biotechnology. For instance, the wild species of carrot (Daucus spp.) identified by us may work as a genetic diversity reservoir for the cultivation of new varieties of the domesticated carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus). Furthermore, the phylogenetically accurate classification system of the Thapsia and Ferula genera devised by us is an unparalleled aid for the researches searching for new biologically active substances, specifically cytostatic ones, which these plants are rich in. The topics undertaken by us include: 1) the evolution of plants on oceanic islands, including secondary woodiness, 2) the evolution of inflorescence, including pseundanthia (inflorescence which reminisce flowers), 3) the evolution of pollen.

Research projects

The role of genetic admixture in ecological diversification of the Anthriscus sylvestris complex, a putative ring species, NCN: 2022-2026

Ecological factors and developmental preconditions shaping the evolution of secondary woodiness in the umbellifer subfamily Apioideae, NCN: 2016-2020 (project site)

Publications review

Baczyński, Jakub; Celep, Ferhat; Spalik, Krzysztof; Claßen-Bockhoff, Regine

Flower-like meristem conditions and spatial constraints shape architecture of floral pseudanthia in Apioideae Journal Article

In: EvoDevo, vol. 13, pp. 19, 2022.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Frankiewicz, Kamil E; Banasiak, Łukasz; Oskolski, Alexei; Reduron, Jean-Pierre; Reyes-Betancort, Jorge Alfredo; Alsarraf, Mohammed; Trzeciak, Paulina; Spalik, Krzysztof

Long-distance dispersal events rather than growth habit and life-history traits affect diversification rate in tribe Apieae (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. 198, no. 1, pp. 1–25, 2022, ISSN: 0024-4074, (boab032).

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Baczyński, Jakub; Sauquet, Hervé; Spalik, Krzysztof

Exceptional evolutionary lability of flower-like inflorescences (pseudanthia) in Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae Journal Article

In: American Journal of Botany, vol. 109, no. 3, pp. 437-455, 2022.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Frankiewicz, Kamil E; Oskolski, Alexei A; Reduron, Jean-Pierre; Banasiak, Łukasz; Reyes-Betancort, Jorge-Alfredo; Trzeciak, Paulina; Spalik, Krzysztof

Stem anatomy of Apioideae (Apiaceae): effects of habit and reproductive strategy Journal Article

In: IAWA Journal, vol. 43, no. 1-2, pp. 42-65, 2021, ISSN: 0928-1541 .

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Piwczyński, Marcin; Trzeciak, Paulina; Popa, Madalina-Oana; Pabijan, Maciej; Corral, José María; Spalik, Krzysztof; Grzywacz, Andrzej

Using RAD seq for reconstructing phylogenies of highly diverged taxa: A test using the tribe Scandiceae (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Journal of Systematics and Evolution, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 58-72, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Frankiewicz, Kamil E; Banasiak, Łukasz; Oskolski, Alexei A; Magee, Anthony R; Alsarraf, Mohammad; Trzeciak, Paulina; Spalik, Krzysztof

Derived woodiness and annual habit evolved in African umbellifers as alternative solutions for coping with drought Journal Article

In: BMC Plant Biology, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 383, 2021, ISSN: 1471-2229.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Frankiewicz, Kamil E; Oskolski, Alexei; Banasiak, Łukasz; Fernandes, Francisco; Reduron, Jean-Pierre; Reyes-Betancort, Jorge-Alfredo; Szczeparska, Liliana; Alsarraf, Mohammed; Baczyński, Jakub; Spalik, Krzysztof

Parallel evolution of arborescent carrots (Daucus) in Macaronesia Journal Article

In: American Journal of Botany, vol. 107, no. 3, pp. 394-412, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Wojewódzka, Aneta; Baczyński, Jakub; Banasiak, Łukasz; Downie, Stephen R; Czarnocka-Cieciura, Agnieszka; Gierek, Michał; Frankiewicz, Kamil; Spalik, Krzysztof

Evolutionary shifts in fruit dispersal syndromes in Apiaceae tribe Scandiceae Journal Article

In: Plant Systematics and Evolution, vol. 305, no. 5, pp. 401–414, 2019, ISSN: 0378-2697, 2199-6881.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Panahi, Mehrnoush; Banasiak, Łukasz; Piwczyński, Marcin; Puchałka, Radosław; Kanani, Mohammad Reza; Oskolski, Alexei A; Modnicki, Daniel; Miłobędzka, Aleksandra; Spalik, Krzysztof

Taxonomy of the traditional medicinal plant genus Ferula (Apiaceae) is confounded by incongruence between nuclear rDNA and plastid DNA Journal Article

In: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. 188, no. 2, pp. 173–189, 2018, ISSN: 0024-4074, 1095-8339.

Links | BibTeX

Banasiak, Łukasz; Wojewódzka, Aneta; Baczyński, Jakub; Reduron, Jean-Pierre; Piwczyński, Marcin; Kurzyna-Młynik, Renata; Gutaker, Rafał; Czarnocka-Cieciura, Agnieszka; Kosmala-Grzechnik, Sylwia; Spalik, Krzysztof

Phylogeny of Apiaceae subtribe Daucinae and the taxonomic delineation of its genera Journal Article

In: Taxon, vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 563–585, 2016, ISSN: 0040-0262.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Panahi, Mehrnoush; Banasiak, Łukasz; Piwczyński, Marcin; Puchałka, Radosław; Oskolski, Alexei A; Spalik, Krzysztof

Phylogenetic relationships among textitDorema , textitFerula and textitLeutea (Apiaceae: Scandiceae: Ferulinae) inferred from nrDNA ITS and cpDNA noncoding sequences Journal Article

In: Taxon, vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 770–783, 2015, ISSN: 0040-0262.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX