Peter Lyko

PhD Student

Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity
Plant Evolutionary Genomics
Hüfferstraße 1
D-48149 Münster
Tel.: +49 251/83-21044
Mail

Research interests

Phylogenetic Reconstruction of the evolutionary history of Orobanchaceae

Hosts are a major environmental factor for parasitic plants. But the effect of different host ranges on the phylogeny of such parasites has barely been assessed. We focus on the Orobanchaceae family and investigate the correlation between host ranges and phylogeny. Doing this, we also analyse the ancestral states of the parasitic Orobanchaceae concerning host plants but also ecological ranges.

See also Genetic reconfigurations en route to a nonphotosynthetic lifestyle in plants

Effects of the environment on the photosynthesis of hemiparasites

Many parasitic plants retain the ability to photosynthesize, and are therefore considered hemiparasites. However, the conditions under which hemiparasites favor parasitism over their own photosynthetic activity and the mechanisms by which this dualism is regulated are still unknown. This project assesses the effects of environmental factors such as light intensity, nitrogen availability, as well as the presence of different host plants on the ecophysiology of hemiparasitic species.

This project is a "Student's research project" and funded through SAFIR