Chris Martine
I am a biodiversity scientist with a particular focus on botany, especially the ecology and evolution of plant reproduction. Much of my work has been in the plant family Solanaceae, including more than a decade looking into the unusual breeding systems of the genus Solanum in northern Australia through a combination of field studies and molecular phylogenetics.
My broad interests in natural history have also kept me rooted in my home region, the northeastern US, where I have engaged in field-based studies with students and colleagues.
It is my opinion that one key to stemming the tide of biodiversity loss is producing outreach materials that are effective in generating public interest in what we do and the organisms we study. To that end, I am developing a web-based program called "Plants Are Cool, Too!" - and am on the look-out for plants (and their researchers) to highlight.
PhD, Botany (Ecology & Evol. Bio), University of Connecticut
MS, Ecology & Evolution, Rutgers University
BS, Conservation Biology (Nat. Res. Mgmt.), Rutgers University
Supervisors: John E. Kuser (Rutgers) and Gregory J. Anderson (UConn)
Phone: 550-577-1135
Address: Burpee Professor
Department of Biology
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA 17837
My broad interests in natural history have also kept me rooted in my home region, the northeastern US, where I have engaged in field-based studies with students and colleagues.
It is my opinion that one key to stemming the tide of biodiversity loss is producing outreach materials that are effective in generating public interest in what we do and the organisms we study. To that end, I am developing a web-based program called "Plants Are Cool, Too!" - and am on the look-out for plants (and their researchers) to highlight.
PhD, Botany (Ecology & Evol. Bio), University of Connecticut
MS, Ecology & Evolution, Rutgers University
BS, Conservation Biology (Nat. Res. Mgmt.), Rutgers University
Supervisors: John E. Kuser (Rutgers) and Gregory J. Anderson (UConn)
Phone: 550-577-1135
Address: Burpee Professor
Department of Biology
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA 17837
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Papers by Chris Martine
Methodology: To better understand population genetics of the species, we coupled field-based assessments of E. bulbosa with a population genomics approach. We sampled multiple individuals from eight populations throughout the state in 2018 and generated a genotyping by sequencing (GBS) dataset of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that we use for population-level demographic, multivariate, and phylogenetic analyses.
Pivotal Results: The data support genetic isolation in the disjunct eastern populations. While perhaps an unsurprising outcome for the plants on the very edge of the range, we also found moderate to high levels of homozygosity throughout the state which indicates that an increased conservation concern may be warranted state-wide.
Conclusions: In Pennsylvania, Erigenia bulbosa is genetically isolated and, to varying degrees, inbred within populations. Thus, we suggest that all populations in the state warrant conservation consideration. Furthermore, we expect that most populations will continue to be threatened by land use and other development activities. This work illustrates the strength of academic and non-academic partnerships in fostering outcomes that inform conservation activities for local species of concern.
The ability to sequence genome‐scale data from herbarium specimens would allow for the economical development of data sets with broad taxonomic and geographic sampling that would otherwise not be possible. Here, we evaluate the utility of a basic double‐digest restriction site–associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) protocol using DNAs from four genera extracted from both silica‐dried and herbarium tissue.
Methods
DNAs from Draba, Boechera, Solidago, and Ilex were processed with a ddRADseq protocol. The effects of DNA degradation, taxon, and specimen age were assessed.
Results
Although taxon, preservation method, and specimen age affected data recovery, large phylogenetically informative data sets were obtained from the majority of samples.
Discussion
These results suggest that herbarium samples can be incorporated into ddRADseq project designs, and that specimen age can be used as a rapid on‐site guide for sample choice. The detailed protocol we provide will allow users to pursue herbarium‐based ddRADseq projects that minimize the expenses associated with fieldwork and sample evaluation.
as a new species belonging to the Australian “Solanum dioicum group” of the Ord Victoria Plain
biogeographic region in the monsoon tropics of the Northern Territory. Although now recognised to be
andromonoecious, S. plastisexum Martine & McDonnell, sp. nov. exhibits multiple reproductive phenotypes,
with solitary perfect flowers, a few staminate flowers or with cymes composed of a basal hermaphrodite
and an extended rachis of several to many staminate flowers. When in fruit, the distal rachis may
abcise and drop. A member of Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum, Solanum plastisexum is allied to the S.
eburneum Symon species group. Morphometric analyses presented here reveal that S. plastisexum differs
statistically from all of its closest relatives including S. eburneum, S. diversiflorum F. Meull., S. jobsonii Martine,
J.Cantley & L.M.Lacey, S. succosum A.R.Bean & Albr. and S. watneyi Martine & Frawley in both reproductive
and vegetative characters. We present evidence supporting the recognition of S. plastisexum as a
distinctive entity, a description of the species, representative photographs, a map showing the distribution
of members of the S. eburneum species group and a key to the andromonoecious Solanum species of the
Northern Territory of Australia. This new species is apparently labile in its reproductive expression, lending
to its epithet, and is a model for the sort of sexual fluidity that is present throughout the plant kingdom.
establishing and/or caring for plant collections held in small greenhouse facilities. Once
plants are in place, an especially acute challenge is managing plant pest/pathogen populations. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches are an excellent option, but few examples exist in the literature of successful programs that have been developed in academic small greenhouse settings.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Over several years, we developed an IPM program for two small research greenhouses on the campus of a primarily undergraduate institution where hundreds of plants have been grown for studies in the genus Solanum. We here present a synopsis of the cultural, mechanical, physical, and biological controls used as part of our successful IPM strategy—including details on the efficacy of multiple predatory insects—with the hope of providing a model for sustainable pest management in the higher education environment.
CONCLUSIONS: IPM can be an effective strategy for maintaining healthy plant populations in small research greenhouses, but it requires a consistent investment of time and funding. A well‐cared‐for plant collection might help support numerous positive outcomes, including advances in faculty scholarship and opportunities for student learning and/or training.