Christopher S. Campbell
Professor of Plant Systematics
Research Topic:
Plant systematics, molecular phylogeny, reproductive biology, and quantitative morphology
Research Program:
I study plant systematics, reproductive biology, and phylogeny, with special emphasis on the Rosaceae (the rose family) and Pinaceae (the pine family). Along with collaborators, I am interested in the molecular phylogeny of these families based on sequences from multiple genes. Current focus is on one of the genera of the rose family, Amelanchier (the shadbushes or serviceberries), which has long challenged systematists with its unclear species boundaries and complex patterns of morphological variation. These small trees and shrubs also provide a model for the evolution of apomixis (asexual seed production). Research goals include identifying the relevance of apomixis and polyploidy to patterns of variation, understanding the biology of apomixis, establishing a workable species concept, and developing a tractable species classification. We are also involved in working out the tree of life for the Pinaceae and related plants. Research techniques include field studies, DNA sequencing, phylogenetic analyses, quantitative morphology, and studies of breeding systems. Graduate students I have advised have used these techniques to study problems in these groups and other groups as well.
Publications:
Havill, N.P., C.S. Campbell, T.F. Vining, B. LePage, R. J. Bayer, and M.J. Donoghue. 2008. Phylogeny and biogeography of Tsuga (Pinaceae) inferred from nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS and chloroplast DNA sequence variation. Systematic Botany 33:478-489. MAFES ext. pub. 3008.
Campbell, C., R. Evans, D.R. Morgan, T.A. Dickinson, and M. Arsenault. Phylogeny of Pyrinae (Rosaceae): 2007. Limited resolution of a complex evolutionary history. Plant Systematics and Evolution 266:119-145. MAFES ext. pub. 2894.
Potter, D., T. Eriksson, R. Evans, S.-H. Oh, and J. Smedmark, D. Morgan, M. Kerr, K. Robertson, M. Arsenault, and C. Campbell. 2007. Rosaceae phylogeny and classification. Plant Systematics and Evolution 266:5-43. MAFES ext. pub. 2895.
Campbell, C. R. Evans, D.R. Morgan, T.A. Dickinson, and M. Arsenault. Phylogeny of Pyrinae (Rosaceae): 2007. Limited resolution of a complex evolutionary history. Plant Systematics and Evolution, in press.
Campbell, C.S., W. A. Wright, M. Cox, , and T.F Vining, C.S. Major, and M.P. Arsenault. 2005. Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) in Picea (Pinaceae): secondary structure and phylogeny. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 35:165-185. MAFES ext. pub. 2770.
Hilu K. W., T. Borsch, K. Maller, D. E. Soltis, P. S. Soltis, V. Savolainen, M. W. Chase, M. Powell, L. A. Alice, R. C. Evans, H. Sauquet, C. Neinhuis, T. A. Slotta, J. G. Rohwer, C. S. Campbell, and L. Chatrou. 2003. Angiosperm phylogeny based on matK sequence information. American Journal of Botany 90:1758-1776.
Smedmark, J. E. E., Eriksson, T., Evans, R. C., Campbell, C. S. 2003. Ancient Allopolyploid Speciation in Geinae (Rosaceae): Evidence from Nuclear Granule-Bound Starch Synthase (GBSSI) Gene Sequences. Syst. Biol. 52: 374-385.
Liston, A., Gernandt, D.S., Vining, T.F., Campbell, C.S. and Pinero, D. 2003. Molecular phylogeny of Pinaceae and Pinus. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 615:107-114. http://www.actahort.org/books/615/615_7.htm.
Judd, W.S., C.S. Campbell, E.A. Kellogg, P.F. Stevens, and M.J. Donoghue. 2002. Plant systematics. A phylogenetic approach. (An introductory textbook, Second ed. The third ed. is due out in 2007). Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.
Evans, R.C. and C.S. Campbell. 2002. The Origin of the apple subfamily (Rosaceae: Maloideae) is clarified by DNA sequence data from duplicated GBSSI Genes. American Journal of Botany 89:1478-1484. Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station external publication 2530.
Alice, L. A., T. Eriksson, B. Eriksen, and C. S. Campbell. 2001. Intersubgeneric hybridization in Rubus (Rosaceae). Systematic Botany 26:769-778.
Evans, R.C., L.A. Alice, C. S. Campbell, E. A. Kellogg, and T.A. Dickinson. 2000. The granule-bound starch synthase (GBSSI) gene in Rosaceae: multiple putative loci and phylogenetic utility. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 17:388-400. MAFES ext. pub. 2430.
Campbell, C.S., L.A. Alice, and W.A. Wright. 1999. Comparisons of within-population genetic variation in sexual and agamospermous Amelanchier (Rosaceae) using RAPD markers. Plant Systematics and Evolution 215:157-167.
Alice, L.A. and C. S. Campbell. 1999. Phylogeny of Rubus (Rosaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences. American Journal of Botany 86:81-97.
Campbell, C.S. 1999. The evolutionary role of hybridization in agamic complexes, with special emphasis on Amelanchier (Rosaceae). In L.W.D. van Raamsdonk J.C.M. den Nijs (eds.). Plant evolution in man-made habitats. Proceedings of the VIIth International Symposium of the International Organization of Plant Biosystematists. MAFES ext. publ. 2332.