Edward E. Schilling

See Also: Lab Page

Research Interests

My research interests are in higher plant systematics with a focus on members of the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Eupatorieae

A collaborative study being carried out together with Dr. Jose L. Panero of the University of Texas involves a systematic analysis of tribe Eupatorieae. This large group is primarily restricted to the New World, where it has produced an amazing amount of species-level diversity. Molecular phylogenetic analyses are being carried out with the goal of resolving issues of classification, and assessing the morphological changes associated with the success of this group.

Systematic Studies of Helianthus

The genus Helianthus comprises approximately 50 species native  to North America, and includes the agronomically important common sunflower, Helianthus annuus. Currently the focus of my studies are on the perennial species of the genus, with a particular emphasis on resolving issues of classification and working out the relationships of some of the polyploids, such as H. hirsutus, H. strumosus, and H. tuberosus.

Other Research in my Laboratory

Phylogenetic Analyses of Asteraceae of eastern North America - deciphering the relationships among species in the larger and more diverse genera of Asteraceae in eastern North America has proven to be challenging. Studies of Helianthus, Liatris, Eupatorium, and Solidago have revealed each to have a relatively low level of variability at the molecular level. We are seeking to find markers with an appropriate level of variability to help understand the causes for the contrasting high amount of species level diversity compared to the apparently low amount of genetic divergence.

Education

• 1978 - Ph.D., Indiana University

Selected Publications

• Schilling, E. E., R. J LeBlond, B. A. Sorrie, and A. S. Weakley. 2007.
Relationships of the New England boneset, Eupatorium novae-angliae
 (Asteraceae). Rhodora 109: 145-160.
• LeBlond, R. J., E. E. Schilling, R. D. Porcher, B. A. Sorrie, J. F.Townsend, P. D. McMillan, and A. S. Weakley. 2007. Eupatorium paludicola, sp. nov. (Asteraceae): A new species from the coastal plain of North and South Carolina. Rhodora 109: 137-144.
• Shaw, J., E. B. Lickey, E. E. Schilling, and R. L. Small. 2007. The Tortoise and the Hare III. Comparison of whole chloroplast genome sequences to choose noncoding regions for phylogenetic studies in angiosperms. American Journal of Botany 94: 275-288.
• Siripun, K. C. and E. E. Schilling. 2006. Molecular confirmation of the hybrid origin of Eupatorium godfreyanum (Asteraceae). American Journal of Botany 93: 319-325.
• Hardig, T. M., J. R. Allison, and E. E. Schilling. 2005. Conservation of rare plant species: molecular evidence of hybridization between Liatris oligocephala J. Allison (Asteraceae) and a more-widespread congener: assessing the potential for extinction. Castanea 70: 246-254
• Funk, V. A., R. J. Bayer, S. Keeley, R. Chan, L. Watson, B. Gemeinholzer, E. Schilling, J. L. Panero, B. G. Baldwin, N. Garcia-Jacas, A. Susanna and R. K. Jansen. 2005. Everywhere but Antarctica: Using a supertree to understand the diversity and distribution of the Compositae. In: Friis, I. & Balslev, H. (eds.) Proceedings of a Symposium on Plant Diversity and Complexity Patterns - Local, Regional and Global Dimensions. The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, Copenhagen.
• Shaw, J., E. B. Lickey, J. T. Beck, S. S. Farmer, W. Liu, J. Miller , K. C. Siripun, C. T. Winder, E. E. Schilling, and R. L. Small. 2005. The Tortoise and the Hare II. Relative utility of 21 noncoding chloroplast DNA sequences for phylogenetic analysis. American Journal of Botany 92: 142-166.
  

Contact Information

Edward E. Schilling
Professor
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
569 Dabney Hall
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-1610

Phone: (865) 974-2256
Fax: (865) 974-2258
Email: eschilling@utk.edu