Dr John Conran

Research Interests

Molecular and morphological evolution, reproductive biology and community ecology of Australasian seed plants, especially petaloid monocots, southern conifers, carnivorous plants and weeds.

My research involves studies of character evolution and biogeography in Australasian plants, especially the Lilianae (petaloid monocotyledons), Commelinaceae (Spiderworts), carnivorous plants (especially Byblidaceae, Cephalotaceae, Droseraceae and Lentibulariaceae), Malvaceae (Mallows) and Podocarpaceae (southern conifers), in response to changes in climate throughout their evolution.

This work involves the use of both classical and molecular approaches and involves families that, although of worldwide distribution, have both major centres of diversity in Australia, and endemic, primitive members mainly confined to the rainforests of E Australia. The research explores the relationships of these often highly isolated ancient groups, and the ecological processes which led to their diversification with the spread of arid and nutrient-poor regions.

I am currently involved in a major collaborative study with the University of Otago (NZ) on the fossil floras of southern Otago (Sth Is. NZ) ranging from the Late Cretaceous through to the Miocene, and in particular the extremely rich fossil flora of the Foulden Hills Diatomite (a 23 MYO fossilised lake), which appears to be one of the richest fossil monocot sites yet discovered. I am also involved in studies with the Xishuangabana Tropical Botanic Gardens (Yunnan, China) on the evolution of various Old World tropical plant families, particularly the cinnamon family (Lauraceae) as well as Chinese Liliaceae sens. lat. and Commeliniaceae.

Files

• Curriculum Vitae and publications - JGConran_CV_Sep_2009.pdf [138.1K] (application/pdf)

Expertise for Media Contact

Categories	Environment
Expertise	Evolution (origins of the Australian flora); environment (impact assessment, nature conservation, endangered plant species, lichens as air pollution monitors); botany; nature conservation; botany (endangered plants); endangered species; lichens as air pollution monitors; impact assessment; environmental damage; evolution of plants
Notes	Alt phone: (08) 8303 3999
Mobile	0403 131 834
After hours	(08) 8264 3695

Entry last updated: Sunday, 5 Feb 2012