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prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Spalik

Scientific interests

Our team focuses 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.

Our current main project is „ Ecological factors and developmental preconditions shaping the evolution of secondary woodiness in the umbellifer subfamily Apioideae” (more information). Concurrently, we work on the phylogenetics and taxonomy of Apiaceae. The main projects and their published results may be found 0n my ResearchGate profile. An updated publication list, together with quotations, is also available on Google Scholar.

Organisational experience

Currently I hold the office of the Dean at the Faculty of Biology as well as of the head of the Scientific Council of the Biological-Chemical Research Centre. I also lead the Committee of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology PAS.  In the past I held the offices of the head of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Botany UW and – for two terms of office – the deputy head of the Committee for Evolutionary and Theoretical Biology PAS.  I was also a member many times in expert panels for the National Science Centre Poland (NZ8), Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Ministry of Education and Science.

Didactics and popularization

I am a co-coordinator of the following subjects: Botany, Ecological education: theory and practiceEvolutionism (for B&SB), Mechanisms of  evolution II, Methods of contemporary taxonomy. I also teach classes as part of the following subjects: Practical botany, Biodiversity, Flora and fauna. I like to teach, which is why one of my most important distinctions is the title of Academic Teacher of the Year at UW, in the field of exact and natural sciences, which I was awarded in 2013.

You may see the recording of my lecture on youtube

My texts on popular science may be found here, among others.

Since a long time ago, I take part in educational research, collaborating with the Institute of Educational Research (Instytut Badań Edukacyjnych), which carries out the national edition of the international PISA OECD research. I am also an expert in the Central Examination Board.

Publications

2024

Bartoszek, Krzysztof; Fuentes-González, Jesualdo; Mitov, Venelin; Pienaar, Jason; Piwczyński, Marcin; Puchałka, Radosław; Spalik, Krzysztof; Voje, Kjetil Lysne

Analytical advances alleviate model misspecification in non-Brownian multivariate comparative methods Journal Article

In: Evolution, vol. 78, iss. 3, pp. 389-400, 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2023

Puchałka, Radosław; Spalik, Krzysztof; Trzeciak, Paulina; Banasiak, Łukasz; Piwczyński, Marcin

Phylogenetic position of Dorema within Ferula (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Plant Systematics and Evolution, vol. 309, no. 28, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Bartoszek, Krzysztof; Fuentes-González, Jesualdo; Mitov, Venelin; Pienaar, Jason; Piwczyński, Marcin; Puchałka, Radosław; Spalik, Krzysztof; Voje, Kjetil Lysne

Model selection performance in phylogenetic comparative methods under multivariate Ornstein–Uhlenbeck models of trait evolution Journal Article

In: Systematic Biology, vol. 72, iss. 2, pp. 275-293, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Bartoszek, Krzysztof; Fuentes-González, Jesualdo; Mitov, Venelin; Pienaar, Jason; Piwczyński, Marcin; Puchałka, Radosław; Spalik, Krzysztof; Voje, Kjetil

Fast mvSLOUCH: Model comparison for multivariate Ornstein-Uhlenbeck-based models of trait evolution on large phylogenies [Dataset] Miscellaneous

Dryad, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2022

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

2021

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

2020

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

2019

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

Spalik, Krzysztof; Wojewódzka, Aneta; Constantinidis, Theophanis; Downie, Stephen R; Gierek, Michał; Banasiak, Łukasz

Laserocarpum, a new genus of Apiaceae endemic to Greece Journal Article

In: Acta Soc Bot Pol, pp. 9, 2019.

Abstract | BibTeX

2018

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

Spalik, Krzysztof

Apiaceae Book

2018, ISBN: 978-3-319-93604-8, (Publication Title: Flowering Plants. Eudicots).

Links | BibTeX

2016

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

Kadereit, J W; Albach, D C; Ehrendorfer, F; Galbany-Casals, M; Garcia-Jacas, N; Gehrke, B; Kadereit, G; Kilian, N; Klein, J T; Koch, M A; Kropf, M; Oberprieler, C; Pirie, M D; Ritz, C M; Röser, M; Spalik, K; Susanna, A; Weigend, M; Welk, E; Wesche, K; Zhang, L -B; Dillenberger, M S

Which changes are needed to render all genera of the German flora monophyletic? Journal Article

In: Willdenowia, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 39–91, 2016.

BibTeX

2015

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

Piwczyński, Marcin; Puchałka, Radosław; Spalik, Krzysztof

The infrageneric taxonomy of Chaerophyllum (Apiaceae) revisited: new evidence from nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequences and fruit anatomy Journal Article

In: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. 178, no. 2, pp. 298–313, 2015.

BibTeX

2014

Spalik, Krzysztof; Banasiak, Łukasz; Feist, Mary Ann E; Downie, Stephen R

Recurrent short-distance dispersal explains wide distributions of hydrophytic umbellifers (Apiaceae tribe Oenantheae) Journal Article

In: Journal of Biogeography, vol. 41, no. 8, pp. 1559–1571, 2014, ISSN: 03050270.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Weitzel, Corinna; Rønsted, Nina; Spalik, Krzysztof; Simonsen, Henrik Toft

Resurrecting deadly carrots: towards a revision of Thapsia (Apiaceae) based on phylogenetic analysis of nrITS sequences and chemical profiles Journal Article

In: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014.

Links | BibTeX

Spalik, Krzysztof

Pre-Linnaean herbaria viva of Helwing in the collections of the National Library of Poland and the University of Warsaw Journal Article

In: Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae, vol. 83, no. 1, pp. 13–16, 2014.

BibTeX

2013

Banasiak, Łukasz; Piwczyński, Marcin; Uliński, Tomasz; Downie, Stephen R; Watson, Mark F; Shakya, Bandana; Spalik, Krzysztof

Dispersal patterns in space and time: a case study of Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae Journal Article

In: Journal of Biogeography, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 1324–1335, 2013, (Number: 7).

Links | BibTeX

2011

Grzebelus, Dariusz; Barański, Rafał; Spalik, Krzysztof; Allender, Charlotte; Simon, Philipp W

Chapter 7. Daucus Book Section

In: Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources, Vegetables, pp. 91–113, 2011.

BibTeX

Bone, T S; Downie, S R; Affolter, J M; Spalik, K

A phylogenetic and biogeographic study of the genus Lilaeopsis (Apiaceae Tribe Oenantheae) Journal Article

In: Systematic Botany, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 789–805, 2011.

BibTeX

2010

Downie, Stephen R; Spalik, Krzysztof; Katz-Downie, Deborah S; Reduron, Jean-Pierre

Major clades within Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae as inferred by phylogenetic analysis of nrDNA ITS sequences Journal Article

In: Plant Diversity and Evolution, vol. 128, no. 1, pp. 111–136, 2010.

BibTeX

Spalik, K; Piwczyński, M; Danderson, C A; Kurzyna-Młynik, R; Bone, T S; Downie, S R

Amphitropic amphiantarctic disjunctions in Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae Journal Article

In: Journal of Biogeography, vol. 37, no. 10, pp. 1977–1994, 2010.

BibTeX

2009

Spalik, K; Downie, S R; Watson, M F

Generic delimitations within the Sium alliance (Apiaceae tribe Oenantheae) inferred from cpDNA rps16-5′trnK (UUU) and nrDNA ITS sequences Journal Article

In: Taxon, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 735–748, 2009.

BibTeX

2008

Kurzyna-Młynik, R; Oskolski, A A; Downie, S R; Kopacz, R; Wojewódzka, A; Spalik, K

Phylogenetic position of the genus Ferula (Apiaceae) and its placement in tribe Scandiceae as inferred from nrDNA ITS sequence variation Journal Article

In: Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2008.

Links | BibTeX

2007

Spalik, K; Downie, S R

Intercontinental disjunctions in Cryptotaenia (Apiaceae, Oenantheae): An appraisal using molecular data Journal Article

In: Journal of Biogeography, vol. 34, no. 12, pp. 2039–2054, 2007.

BibTeX

2006

Spalik, Krzysztof; Downie, Stephen R

The evolutionary history of Sium sensu lato (Apiaceae): dispersal, vicariance, and domestication as inferred from ITS rDNA phylogeny. Journal Article

In: American Journal of Botany, vol. 93, no. 5, 2006.

Links | BibTeX

2005

Spalik, Krzysztof

Molecular systematics of the trans-Pacific alpine genus Oreomyrrhis (Apiaceae): phylogenetic affinities and biogeographic implications. Journal Article

In: American Journal of Botany, 2005.

Links | BibTeX

2004

Hardway, T M; Spalik, K; Watson, M F; Katz-Downie, D S; Downie, S R

Circumscription of Apiaceae tribe Oenantheae Journal Article

In: South African Journal of Botany, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 393–406, 2004.

BibTeX

Spalik, K; Reduron, J -P; Downie, S R

The phylogenetic position of Peucedanum sensu lato and allied genera and their placement in tribe Selineae (Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae) Journal Article

In: Plant Systematics and Evolution, vol. 243, no. 3-4, pp. 189–210, 2004.

BibTeX

2002

Stankovic, A; Spalik, K; Kamler, E; Borsuk, P; Weglenski, P

Recent origin of sub-Antarctic notothenioids Journal Article

In: Polar Biology, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 203–205, 2002.

BibTeX

2001

Spalik, K; Wojewódzka, A; Downie, S R

Delimitation of genera in Apiaceae with examples from Scandiceae subtribe Scandicinae Journal Article

In: Edinburgh Journal of Botany, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 331–346, 2001.

BibTeX

Katana, A; Kwiatowski, J; Spalik, K; Zakryś, B; Szalacha, E; Szymańska, H

Phylogenetic position of Koliella (chlorophyta) as inferred from nuclear and chloroplast small subunit rDNA Journal Article

In: Journal of Phycology, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 443–451, 2001.

BibTeX

Spalik, K; Wojewódzka, A; Downie, S R

The evolution of fruit in Scandiceae subtribe Scandicinae (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Canadian Journal of Botany, vol. 79, no. 11, pp. 1358–1374, 2001.

BibTeX

Spalik, K; Downie, S R

The utility of morphological characters for inferring phylogeny in Scandiceae subtribe Scandicinae (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, vol. 88, no. 2, pp. 270–301, 2001.

BibTeX

Downie, S R; Plunkett, G M; Watson, M F; Spalik, K; Katz-Downie, D S; Valiejo-Roman, C M; Terentieva, E I; Troitsky, A V; Lee, B; Lahham, J; El-Oqlah, A

Tribes and clades within Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae: the contribution of molecular data Journal Article

In: Edinburgh Journal of Botany, vol. 58, no. 02, pp. 301–330, 2001, (Publisher: Cambridge Univ Press).

BibTeX

2000

Downie, S R; Katz-Downie, D S; Spalik, K

A phylogeny of Apiaceae tribe Scandiceae: Evidence from nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences Journal Article

In: American Journal of Botany, vol. 87, no. 1, pp. 76–95, 2000.

BibTeX

Downie, S R; Watson, M F; Spalik, K; Katz-Downie, D S

Molecular systematics of Old World Apioideae (Apiaceae): Relationships among some members of tribe Peucedaneae sensu lato, the placement of several island-endemic species, and resolution within the apioid superclade Journal Article

In: Canadian Journal of Botany, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 506–528, 2000.

BibTeX

1997

Spalik, Krzysztof

Influence of the size and density of Carpinus betulus on the spatial distribution and rate of deletion of forest-floor species in thermophilous oak forest. Book

1997, (Publication Title: Plant Ecology).

Links | BibTeX

Spalik, Krzysztof

Revision of Anthriscus (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Polish Botanical Studies, vol. 13, 1997.

BibTeX

1996

Spalik, Krzysztof

Species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and ecological differentiation in Anthriscus (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Plant Systematics and Evolution, vol. 199, no. 1-2, pp. 17–32, 1996.

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1995

Reduron, J -P; Spalik, K

The genus Anthriscus (Apiaceae) in the French flora textbar Le genre Anthriscus (Apiaceae) dans la flore francaise Journal Article

In: Acta Botanica Gallica, vol. 142, no. 1, pp. 55–96, 1995.

BibTeX

Spalik, Krzysztof

Typification of the Boissier names in Anthriscus Pers. (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. 119, no. 1, pp. 77–86, 1995.

BibTeX

1994

Spalik, K; Woodell, S R

Regulation of pollen production in Anthriscus sylvestris, an andromonoecious species Journal Article

In: International Journal of Plant Sciences, vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 750–754, 1994.

BibTeX

1991

Spalik, Krzysztof

On evolution of andromonoecy and 'overproduction' of flowers: a resource allocation model Journal Article

In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 325–336, 1991.

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1989

Spalik, Krzysztof; Jarvis, Charles E

Typification of Linnaean Names Now in Anthriscus (Apiaceae) Journal Article

In: Taxon, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 288, 1989.

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