ASPT Newsletter
December 1996
Edited by:
Kenneth R. Robertson
Illinois Natural History Survey
607 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820 USA
Phone: 217 244-2717; Fax: 217 333-4949; e-mail: krrobert@uiuc.edu
Much has changed since the last printed copy of the ASPT Newsletter was issued (Volume 9, Number 4, October 1995). At the August 1995 meeting of the ASPT Board, the decision was made to suspend the printed Newsletter and instead distribute it only electronically via the World Wide Web. Volume 10 Number 1 was issued in this manner. However, many members of the Society do not have ready access to the Web or prefer to read a printed copy of the Newsletter. Consequently, at the August 1996 meeting of the Board, it was decided to reinstate the Newsletter in printed form, while still maintaining the electronic version.
This is the first issue resulting from that decision. The format and production methods of the Newsletter have been changed substantially to save costs. The hard copy edition will only be sent to those ASPT members who indicated in the October 1996 questionnaire (see below) that they preferred the printed format. The Newsletter continues to be available in electronic form through the ASPT Home Page (http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/ aspt/aspthome.htm).
The ASPT Newsletter prospered greatly under the editorship of Laurence J. Dorr from 1992 to 1996. He produced 13 hard copy issues and one electronic issue. The Society owes him much gratitude for all the time, dedication, and just plain hard work that he put into the Newsletter.
In June 1996 I was appointed the new editor of the Newsletter. The first priority was to set up Current News on the ASPT Home Page to inform members of items of interest much more rapidly than is possible with formal issues of the Newsletter. Items that come to my attention are normally posted weekly or even daily to Current News. Most items that have been posted in Current News will then be put together to form the issues of the ASPT Newsletter.
I want to thank the Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey, Lorin I. Nevling, for encouraging me to take on the editorial responsibilities for the ASPT Newsletter. The staff of the Survey's editorial office, Charles Warwick and Tom Rice, have helped greatly with the production of the printed Newsletter. Please send me any items you wish included in the Newsletter or in Current News. Suggestions for improvement of the format of either are also welcome.--Ken Robertson
Total
|
U.
S.
|
Foreign
| ||
| Number
of Members Responding to Section 1.
|
108
|
97
|
11
| |
| Surveys
with no comment in Section 1
|
130
|
93
|
37
| |
| A.
|
Would
like to continue to meet with BSA
|
74
|
66
|
8
|
| B.
|
Would
like to look into meeting sometime in the future with SSB
|
20
|
17
|
3
|
| C.
|
Would
like to meet sometime with SSB only if we can also meet with BSA
|
17
|
14
|
3
|
| D.
|
Would
like to meet on a regular basis with SSB (i.e., every 2nd, 3rd, or 5th year)
|
19
|
17
|
2
|
| E.
|
Would
not like to meet with SSB
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
| F.
|
Would
like to meet with other groups but no group specifically mentioned
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
| G.
|
Would
like to continue meeting with AIBS
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
| H.
|
Would
like to look into meeting with ESA
|
5
|
5
|
0
|
| I.
|
Would
like to look into meeting with SCB
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| J.
|
Would
like to look into meeting with SSE
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
| K.
|
Would
like to look into meeting with MBS
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| L.
|
Would
like to look into meeting with MSA
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| M.
|
Look
into meting with AABGA
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| N.
|
Look
into meeting with Bryological & Lichenological Society
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
| O.
|
Look
into meeting with SEB
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| P.
|
Horticulturists
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| Q.
|
Geographers
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| R.
|
Paleontologists
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| S.
|
Look
into meeting with ATB
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Section 2: Membership Directory:
Total
U.
S.
Foreign
Number
of Members Responding to Section 2
232
186
46
Surveys
with No Comment in Section 2
6
4
2
A.
Comfortable
with Internet Membership Directory
63
52
11
B.
Would
like hard copy of Membership Directory
166
131
35
C.
Would
like both Internet and hard copy
3
3
0
Section 3: ASPT Newsletter
Total
U.
S.
Foreign
Number
of Members Responding to Section 3
232
184
48
Surveys
with No Comment in Section 3
6
6
0
A.
Comfortable
with only internet ASPT Newsletter
29
26
3
B.
Would
like e-mail announcement of internet newsletter
27
21
6
C.
Would
like ASCII version of newsletter via e-mail
13
10
3
D.
Would
like to subscribe to hard copy of newsletter
109
82
27
E.
Comfortable
with only internet ASPT Newsletter and would like to receive e-mail
announcements of new issues of internet version (A & B)
37
30
7
F.
Would
like e-mail announcements of new issues of internet version and would like
ASCII version of newsletter via e-mail (A & C)
8
7
1
G.
Comfortable
with internet version of ASPT Newsletter but would like to receive ASCII
version via e-mail (A & C)
3
3
0
H.
Would
like e-mail announcements of new issues of internet version but would like to
subscribe to a hard copy of newsletter (B & D)
4
3
1
I.
Would
like e-mail announcement, ASCII version via e-mail, and hard copy of newsletter
(B, C, & D)
2
2
0
Nancy Morin, convening editor of Flora of North America, has accepted the position of Executive Director of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta (AABGA), effective 1 November 1996. She will continue to be the convening editor for FNA. Nancy has worked for the Missouri Botanical Garden since 1981, first as Administrative Curator of the Herbarium and editor of the Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, then as head of the Botanical Information Management department, and finally as Assistant Director. AABGA was founded in 1940, and today it serves 410 institutions and some 2,000 individual members. The AABGA offices are currently located in Chanticleer, a botanical garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia; in late 1997 the offices will move to Longwood Gardens, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Lorin I. Nevling will be retiring on December 31, 1996 as Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey. Dr. Nevling is a past secretary, council member, and president of ASPT. He has also served as president of the Association of Systematics Collections (see the "Awards" part of this Newsletter) and the Association of Science Museum Directors. He is currently president of the Consortium of State Biological Surveys. A native of St. Louis, Dr. Nevling received his doctoral training in systematic botany at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Henry Shaw School of Botany, Washington University, St. Louis. His work experience seems to be on a 14-year cycle with the first segment at the Arnold Arboretum, Gray Herbarium, and Farlow Herbarium at Harvard University. The second 14-year segment was at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, where he served as head of the Botany Department, Assistant Director, and Director. In 1987, he was appointed Chief of the Illinois Natural History in Champaign, and in 1995 he also became Acting Chief of the Illinois State Water Survey; both Survey's are now part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He is the author of more than 80 scientific publications, with his interests focused on the Thymelaeaceae, Fabaceae subfamily Mimosoideae, the Flora of Veracruz project, and climbing mechanisms in plants. With his retirement, he will be Chief Emeritus, have office space near the herbarium in the Center for Biodiversity, and focus on his research.
Geoffrey A. Levin of the Illinois Natural History Survey has been named Director of the Center for Biodiversity. Dr. Levin joined the Survey in 1994 as a research scientist. Previously, he had been Deputy Director for Research and Collections at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Robbin C. Moran, formerly of the Botanical Institute, University of Aarhus, Denmark, has joined the faculty of the Department of Biology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR 72204. Phone: 501 569-3337; e-mail: rcmoran@ualr.edu.
Henri Alain Liogier retired from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras in 1995. He has moved to Ft. Worth, Texas and is now continuing his work on plants of the Caribbean area at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.
Gordon C. Tucker, formerly with the Biological Survey, New York State Museum, Albany, has joined the faculty of the Department of Botany, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920. Phone: 217 581-6240; e-mail: cfgct@eiu.edu. Dr. Tucker's position replaces that of John E. Ebinger, who retired at the end of 1995.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Vanderbilt University for the transfer of the Vanderbilt Herbarium (VDB) to BRIT. The Vanderbilt Herbarium, comprised of some 300,000 specimens, was built by the singular commitment, dedication, and determination of Dr. Robert Kral, Professor of Botany at Vanderbilt for 35 years. The collections are mostly from the southeastern United States.
The Council of the New England Botanical Club wishes to announce that there are no longer page charges for publication in Rhodora. The Council has appointed Janet R. Sullivan Editor-in-Chief and Margaret Bogle Managing Editor, beginning with volume 98. Any new manuscripts should be submitted to: Dr. Janet R. Sullivan, Department of Plant Biology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824-3597. Fax: 603 862-4757; e-mail: janets@christa.unh.edu. Monographs or scientific papers concerned with systematics, floristics, ecology, paleobotany or conservation biology of the flora of North America or floristically related areas will be considered.
The offices of American Association for the Advancement of Science have moved to 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: 202 326-6400.
As noted above under the Minutes of the 1996 Business Meeting, ASPT selected K. M. Matthew, Rapinat Herbarium, St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli, India, as Corresponding Member of the Society. The Asa Gray Award was presented to Peter Raven, Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden; full details of this latter award will be given in Systematic Botany Volume 22 Number 1, 1997.
The Geneva "Société de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle" (SPHN) is pleased to announce that in 1998 it will award the "Augustin-Pyramus De Candolle Prize" to the author or co-author of the best monograph on a genus or family of plants. It should be preferably recent and unpublished on 31 December 1997. The monograph should be a complete coverage of the groups considered, i.e. description of external characters (morphology), a scheme of distribution of subordinate units, and an up-to-date, complete bibliography. Critical synonymy, and keys of classification, description of anatomical, caryological and physiological details, as far as they can be used to distinguish the sub-groups in line with the international rules of nomenclature, will also constitute important elements for evaluation. Partial treatments, i.e. monograph of a sub-family, a tribe, a sub-genus or a section, provided that the group is defined clearly with respect to its neighbours and distinctly subordinated to superior units, would be acceptable. Additionally, partial treatment of a group in which all the sub-ordinate levels have not been studied (e.g. rearrangement of genera, varieties and forms omitted) would be acceptable. However, it is expressly stipulated that the enumeration of species (e.g. "Rare plants of the Geneva Botanical Garden") should not be accepted, and partial treatment limited geographically ("Cirsien der Schweiz") would be taken into consideration only if no world monograph of any other group is presented at the same competition. This last condition does not apply to the revision of groups that can be studied on live material only, like fleshy fungi for example. There is no restriction of nationality or domicile. The text may be written in Latin, French, German, English, Italian or Spanish. A summary must be translated into French or English and contain a dozen pages (roughly 4000 words or 20,000 characters). The reward is CHF 3000 and can not be shared. It may be reduced or not be offered if the presented works are insufficient or do not fulfil the criteria of this notice. Application will be examined by a Committee. The successful monograph remains the property of the author, but a copy will be deposited at the SPHN. Two copies of the manuscripts, along with a curriculum vitae, must be submitted to the following address before 31 March 1998: Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle Prize, Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, de la Ville de Genève, Case postale 60, CH-1292 Chambèsy/GE, Switzerland.
The Adolph Engler Award of the International Association of Plant Taxonomy has been awarded to Dr. Grady Webster, past president of ASPT and of the Botanical Society of America. The Engler Medal, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of plant taxonomy, is given periodically to the author of the single most outstanding work published in this field. Dr. Webster's award is for his publication: "Synopsis of the genera and suprageneric taxa of Euphorbiaceae," Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 81: 33-144. 1994. Dr. Webster is Professor Emeritus and Emeritus Director of the Herbarium at the University of California, Davis.
The 1996 Lawrence Memorial Award has been awarded to Amy J. Litt of the New York Botanical Garden. A student of Dr. Scott Mori, Ms. Litt has undertaken a study on the phylogeny of the Vochysiaceae. She will use the proceeds of the Award for travel to Cameroon for field research. Commemorating Dr. George H. M. Lawrence, founding Director of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at Carnegie Mellon University, the biennial Award of $1,000 is made to an outstanding doctoral candidate for travel in support of dissertation research in systematic botany, horticulture or the history of the plant sciences.
The 1996 Jesse M. Greenman Award has been won by Paul Kores for his publication "A systematic study of the genus Acianthus (Orchidaceae: Diurideae)", published in Allertonia 7: 87-220. 1995. This study is based on a Ph.D. dissertation from Tulane University under the direction of Dr. Steven P. Darwin. The Greenman Award - a certificate and a cash prize of $1,000 - is presented each year by the Missouri Botanical Garden. It recognizes the paper judged best in vascular plant or bryophyte systematics based on a doctoral dissertation published during the previous year. Papers published during 1996 are now being accepted for the 29th annual award. Reprints of such papers should be sent to Dr. P. Mick Richardson, Greenman Awards Committee, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-0299 USA. In order to be considered for the 1996 award, reprints must be received by 1 June 1997.
The 1996 Award for Service of the Association of Systematics Collections was presented to Lorin I. Nevling, Jr., Scientist, Administrator, Counselor, and Public Servant, for his: 1) lasting contributions to the systematics of higher plants, especially the family Thymelaeaceae and years of service in many capacities to the national botanical community; 2) enlightened, humane, resolute leadership in science administration posts of increasing scope and responsibility, from the Herbaria of Harvard University to the Field Museum of Natural History and the Illinois Natural History Survey; 3) selfless dedication to the work of ASC, serving on the board for over a decade--one of the few who retained a sense of focus on the big picture for the commonwealth of North American collections; 4) impressive knowledge and wise counsel in matters of national policy relating to systematics biology collections and biological survey.
The George R. Cooley Award for 1996 was presented to Lawrence M. Kelley, Cornell University, and to Kenneth M. Cameron, University of North Carolina. The Cooley Award is presented each year by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists for the best contributed paper in plant systematics presented at its annual meeting. The title of Kelley's paper was "Phylogenetic relationships in Asarum based on ITS sequences and morphological data" and that of Cameron's was "Systematic investigations of the vanilloid orchids: evidence from DNA sequences, anatomy, and morphology."
Kenneth M. Cameron also received the Katherine Esau Award from the Botanical Society of America for his paper entitled "Foliar architecture of the reticulate-veined vanilloid orchids." This award is given to the graduate student who presents the most outstanding paper in developmental and structural botany at the Society's annual meeting.
Botanical Society of America Merit Awards for 1996 included two members of ASPT: Hugh H. Iltis, University of Wisconsin, and Robert F. Thorne, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. The award to Dr. Iltis was for "his research on the evolution of Zea mays and the systematics of Capparaceae, for his strong concern for the next generation of botanists in the U.S. and Mexico, for his extensive botanical field work and development of the University of Wisconsin herbarium, and for his devotion and tireless commitment to the preservation of biological resources." The award to Dr. Thorne cited his "landmark contributions in understanding large-scale phylogenetic patterns in flowering plant evolution, for insightful papers in the field of plant geography, most notably those on major disjunctions in seeds plants, South African-American plant relationships, Australasian rain forests, major floristic regions of North America and desert vegetation in southwestern North America, and as an enthusiastic and inspirational teacher."
Mrs. Lyndon Baines (Lady Bird) Johnson is being awarded the Third International Award of Excellence by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. The bronze medal, to be presented at a celebration dinner to be held in Fort Worth, Texas, on 26 February 1997, recognizes Mrs. Johnson's tireless effort to promote beauty and environmental responsibility throughout America.
The Nature Conservancy received a donation of $1.5 million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for the continuation of its Ecosystem Research Program, now in its fourth year. The initial 1993 grant funded 22 cutting-edge conservation research projects. The Conservancy will raise a matching $1.5 million to support the program. Participating researchers, in turn, will be required to match half of the total funds they receive, bringing the total committed to conservation research to $4.5 million. The Conservancy uses a two-step process to select research projects for funding. A panel of senior Conservancy scientists first reviews brief, conceptual proposals for the appropriateness to the Ecosystem Research Program. Researchers are then asked to prepare full, scientifically-detailed proposals, which are reviewed by scientists from outside the Conservancy for the quality of their science. As of August 1996, the Conservancy was in the process of reviewing proposals for 1996 awards, but a new request for proposals will be issued in early 1997. For information about the program, or to get on the mailing list to receive a request for proposals when issued, call Christine Wisnewski, Program Coordinator, at 703 841-4583.
Job descriptions have been edited to conserve space; obtain complete descriptions before applying. Listed by deadline date and/or date received. Deadlines may have already passed for some positions; these are retained in this Newsletter as a matter of interest to readers.
Director, Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Reporting to the President and the CEO of Carnegie Institute and working closely with the Board of Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH), the Director will oversee the staff of CMNH. The Director will provide leadership and direction in developing strategy, implementing programs and ensuring that the financial operations of CMNH are sound. The Director will be the chief spokesperson for CMNH and will communicate and articulate its mission, vision, and goals to its regional, national, and international audiences. The Director must ensure that the Museum maintains its primary position as a scientific research institution, and finally, the Director should be active in the scientific community and the life of the Pittsburgh community that supports the Museum. Individuals must have an advanced degree that will complement the mission of the Museum and 10 years experience in a senior level management position with a proven track record as a leader. It will be particularly important for the Director to increase revenue by obtaining scientific grants and overseeing the development of programs to increase visitor attendance, product sales and fundraising. While this person might come from a variety of institutions, museums, science centers, zoological institutes, botanical gardens, or universities, the unusual candidate may be a business person with experience, demonstrated leadership, and sensitivity to the not-for-profit sector. Please send nominations and applications in confidence immediately to: Carnegie Museum of Natural History, c/o Heidrick & Struggles, Inc., 1301 K Street, NW, Suite 500 East, Washington, DC 20005. Fax: 202 289-4451. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Vascular Plant Systematist, East Tennessee State University. Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences. Tenure track. Ph.D. required with specialization in vascular plant systematics using modern techniques and a demonstrated commitment to teaching and research. Salary competitive and commensurate with education and experience. Preference given to persons with teaching and research interests in vascular plant systematics, with field botany and herbarium experience. The successful candidate expected to develop an active research program and to participate in a graduate program at the master's level. Teaching responsibilities include participation in general biology and a graduate systematics course as well as courses emphasizing Southern Appalachian flora. Applicants should send curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching and research interests, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Minorities are encouraged to apply. Deliberations begin on 14 February 1997. The starting date is 15 August 1997. The complete job description is available at: http://www.etsu-tn.edu/biology/botanis2.htm. Send applications to: Dr. David Benner, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, Box 70703, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614-0703. Phone: 423/439-5678; e-mail: bennerd@access.etsu-tn.edu. East Tennessee State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Associate Director, The Australian Museum, Sydney. Advertisements will be published in Nature, New Scientist, and Science early in January 1997. The Associate Director manages the overall functions of the scientific divisions, including Information Science and Material Conservation. A specific new component of the position is to provide leadership in the further integration of scientific research and collection programs with the public programs of the Australian Museum. The Associate Director is the 2IC of the Museum, acting on behalf of the Director in his absence. Achievement in scientific research of a high standard and demonstrated capability in leadership, management, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution and communication are some of the qualifications. The Australian Museum has a total staff, both temporary and permanent, of some 275, of which 37% are in the scientific divisions. The total annual budget is about $A20 million. Web site: http://www. austmus. gov.au. The deadline for the receipt of applications is around 21 March 1997. Contact: John Paxton, Fish Section, Australian Museum, 6 College St., Sydney, N.S.W. 2000. Phone: 61 (2) 9320-6139; Fax: 61 (2) 9320-6059; e-mail: johnp@amsg.austmus.gov.au.
Reference/Archives Librarian, Botany Libraries, Harvard University Herbaria, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology. Identifies and provides access to materials in the five botanical collections. Supervises and trains staff in the libraries' two reading rooms, orients new users, provides reference service, bibliographic instruction, interlibrary loan support, and processes permissions for reproduction of archival and other library materials. Assists in collection and development and database design, and oversees Web page updates and modifications. Maintains statistics and provides reports on public services activities. M.L.S. or equivalent experience required; knowledge of MARC and HTML formats; familiarity with DOS/Windows 95 networked environments, WWW, and database design; excellent communication skills and ability to work independently or on a team; ability to lift oversized objects up to 30 lb. Familiarity with botanical and standard print and electronic reference sources; experience in bibliographic instruction and supervision, cataloging via OCLC and use of HOLLIS; knowledge of foreign languages; experience in handling rare books and archival materials in an academic research setting. Send cover letter and résumé to: Mary Reynolds, OEB Research, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Field Biologists, Illinois Natural History Survey. Six Field Biologists for the Critical Trend Assessment Project's monitoring component at the Assistant Supportive Scientist level (grant-supported full-time, non-exempt position). The biologists will work as a team throughout Illinois to conduct field surveys and assist with data entry, analysis, and the preparation of reports. Other duties include contacting landowners and training coordinators of volunteer monitoring crews. Expertise required with field sampling and identification of at least one of the major groups of plants and animals to be sampled: terrestrial plants, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, benthic organisms, and large terrestrial insects. Preference may be given to individuals with experience with more than one of these groups. The biologists must have a drivers license and be willing and able to travel overnight, hike to remote sites, work under adverse weather conditions, and to work as a member of a team. Salary $25,000 to $30,000. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by Friday, 24 January 1997. Send letter of application indicating areas of expertise, résumé, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to: Jacqueline Sanders, Human Resources Manager, CTAP Monitoring Positions, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820. Phone: 217 244-7790. Refer technical questions to: William Ruesink, 217 244-2163. Non-smoking environment. An Equal Opportunity Employer and an Americans with Disabilities Employer without regard for race, age, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disabled conditions.
Plant Systematist, University of Oklahoma. 12-month joint tenure-track position starting August 1997 in Oklahoma Biological Survey and Department of Botany and Microbiology for Assistant/Associate Curator of Bebb Herbarium and Assistant/Associate Professor. Curator of jointly administered 230,000-specimen herbarium to conduct research and oversee collection development. Departmental faculty responsibilities include teaching, participation in graduate program and research. Seek dynamic scientist to develop research/teaching programs using plants to examine systematic and evolutionary questions of broad significance. Preference given for having facility with modern systematic techniques and familiarity with Great Plains flora. Ph.D. required. Must demonstrate: mastery of systematics as shown by research productivity; collection care and management skills; and teaching ability. For further information, see: http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/. Provide résumé, written summary of how requirements are met, reprints, and three letters of recommendation letters to: John J. Skvarla, Search Committee Chair, Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019. Phone: 405 325-5823; Fax: 405 325-7619; e-mail: jskvarla@ou.edu. Screening begins 3 February 3 1997, continuing until position filled. Equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. University has a policy of being responsive to needs of dual-career couples.
Chief, Illinois Natural History Survey. Nominations and applications are invited for the position of Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey, a Division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and an affiliated agency of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The staff consists of more than 200 scientists and support personnel with a total budget of approximately $10M. The Chief is the Survey's top administrator with responsibility for the staff, programs, and finances of the Survey, and is the principal interface with state and federal agencies. The candidate must possess a Ph.D. in a relevant field of the biological sciences; must have a substantive and sustained research/publication record; demonstrated management, interpersonal, and leadership skills; and demonstrated written and verbal communication skills. Experience in managing a complex scientific organization and interacting with governing boards, or other advisory groups, is highly desirable. Salary com-mensurate with qualifications and past experience. To ensure full consideration, send letter of application, résumé including publication record, and names and telephone numbers of five references by 3 February 1997 to Secretary to the Search Committee for the Chief, Illinois Natural History Survey, P.O. Box 948, Champaign, IL 61824-0948. Phone: 217 333-6830, TDD 217 782-9175. The search will continue until the position is filled. This appointment shall be effective on or about 1 July 1997. The State of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and an American Disabilities Employer without regard to race, age, religion, color, national origin, sex or disabled conditions.
Systematics and Evolution of Land Plants, University of Michigan. The Department of Biology and the University Herbarium seek to fill a tenure-track position in the systematics and evolution of land plants at the level of Assistant Professor, although applications from candidates at all ranks will be considered. People who work with all groups of land plants and use all research methods are encouraged to apply, but preference will be given to those who study bryophytes or pteridophytes and who incorporate molecular techniques and data in their research. Must be qualified to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in biology and plant evolution and systematics and must develop an active research program in the systematics and evolution of land plants. Ph.D. required in Biology, Botany, Plant Sciences, or a related area plus postdoctoral or comparable experience. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a letter describing teaching and research interests, and reprints of up to three publications. Send these materials and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to: Land Plants Position, Search Committee Chair, University of Michigan, Department of Biology, 830 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048. Deadline for receipt of application materials is 31 January 1997. For more information, contact Pamela L. Baker by e-mail: pambaker@biology.lsa.umich.edu. The University of Michigan is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
Plant Systematist, University of Wisconsin, Madison. The Department of Botany seeks a distinguished Plant Systematist to assume a tenured professorial position preferably at the Associate Professor level. Duties include teaching, research, and directorship of the Wisconsin State Herbarium. The Department and Herbarium seek candidates whose training and/or abilities will expand the University's and Department's breadth in biosystematics including, but not limited to, tropical systematics, plant animal interactions, paleobotany, morphological evolution, or fern systematics. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the development of systematic biology on the campus, provide leadership in the Herbarium, and develop an active program of research and instruction. The deadline for receiving applications is 15 January 1997, and the earliest start date is 20 August 1997. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, a statement of research and teaching interests, current and long-term goals, and three letters of recommendation: Professor Kenneth J. Sytsma, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706. Phone: 608 262-4490 (office) or 262-4422 (lab); Fax: 608 262-7509;
e-mail: kjsytsma@facstaff.wisc.edu.
Conservation Biology Instructor, Costa Rica Tropical Biology Program, University of California Santa Barbara. The Education Abroad Program (EAP) is recruiting for an Instructor for its Costa Rica Tropical Biology Program for Spring 1997. EAP offers a one-quarter program in tropical biology at the Las Cruces Biological Station in southern Costa Rica. The Station covers approximately 532 acres and includes the Wilson Botanical Garden. Twenty-four undergraduate students from the eight UC campuses are expected to participate in this program. Program Dates: 1 April 1-13 June 1997. The program commences with a lengthy field trip (approx. 10 days) and subsequent weeks include several other field overnights. Qualifications: M.S. or Ph.D. and experience teaching field courses. Knowledge of Costa Rica and Spanish. Salary commensurate with education and teaching experience. Room and meals provided. Send letter of interest and C.V. to: Gloria D. Blakemore, Regional Director, Education Abroad Program Univer-sity wide Office, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-1140. Fax: 805 893-2583; e-mail: blakemor@uoeap.ucsb.edu. Open until filled, but applications accepted no later than 15 January 1997.
Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University. The Department of Biology seeks applications for a tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level for a Plant Biologist. Candidates must have completed a Ph.D. by January 1997. The position begins 1 September 1997. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. See http://www.bio.gasou.edu/ for additional information about the Department. The successful candidate must be broadly trained in botany and should be able to teach general botany, plant physiology, and general biology along with a course in his or her speciality. The specific area of research is relatively open, but preference given to persons who can work in ecosystems of the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Applicants should send, by 2 January 1997, a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statements of teaching and research interests and have three letters of reference sent to: Dr. Donald Drapalik, Search Chair, Search # 31787, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460-8042, USA. The names of applicants and nominees, vitae, and other general non-evaluative information are subject to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Persons who need accommodations in the application process under the Americans with Disabilities Act should notify Dr. John E. Averett, Department Chair. For more information, contact Lorne Wolfe, phone: 912 681-0848; Fax: 912 681-0845; e-mail: wolfe@gasou.edu.
Population Geneticist, University of Kansas. The Department of Systematics & Ecology invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in population genetics. Applicants expected to have an active research program in theoretical and/or empirical population genetics and to teach graduate and undergraduate courses in population genetics and other areas (e.g., population biology, evolution, biostatistics, general biology, or seminars). Preference given to individuals with post-doctoral experience, teaching ability and experience, ability to interact with behaviorists, ecologists, and systematists, quantitative skills, and ability to acquire external funding. Send curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, goals and current research activities, statement of teaching philosophy, experience, and interests including courses the applicant would like to teach, copies of publications and/or manuscripts, and have 3 letters of reference sent to: Chair, Search Committee, Department of Systematics & Ecology, Haworth Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-2106. Initial review of applications begins 2 January 1997 and will continue until the position is filled. Availability of position is contingent on final budgetary approval. EO/AA employer. For more information and/or a more complete description of the position, contact Helen Alexander, Chair, Search Committee, Phone: 913 864-3221, e-mail: silene@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu.
Plant Taxonomist, U.S. National Arboretum. The Arboretum has initiated a search for an outstanding, innovative Ph.D. level plant taxonomist to conduct research on cultivated woody plants and their wild relatives. The successful candidate expected to conduct both traditional and laboratory oriented, molecular and biosystematic studies, conduct periodic field work, often in other countries, and supervise a 600,000 specimen herbarium. This is a regular appointment in the USDA's Agricultural Research Services Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit at the United States National Arboretum, which has four sites. The main campus is a beautiful 444-acre site in northeast Washington, D.C. The majority of the research personnel are located in new horticultural research facilities at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland. A 120-acre research site in Glendale, Maryland serves as test plots for some of the tree and shrub breeding experiments and for much of the germplasm collections. In August of 1996, an ornamental tree and shrub research laboratory based at an agricultural research station in McMinnville, Tennessee was transferred to the Arboretum. Candidates may contact: Dr. Thomas Elias, Director, Phone: 202 245-4539; Fax: 202 245-4574; e-mail: telias@ars.grin.gov.
Temporary Lecturer in Plant Systematics, University of Cape Town, South Africa. The Department of Botany is seeking a plant systematist to teach plant diversity and advanced systematics courses during 1997. This involves ca. 50 lectures and 20 practical sessions, field excursions as well as some honours and post-graduate supervision. The University is situated in Cape Town, in the heart of the Cape Flora. Facilities include the Bolus Herbarium, a good library, electron microscope facilities and a modern greenhouse. Space in an active molecular laboratory is also available. Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, with its excellent living collections, is 5 km distant. The post is temporary and pay is approximately R 50 000 for the year. There will be ample time for research during the year. Send applications, with the names of suitable referees, to: The Head, Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa. Fax: +27-21-6504041 or by e-mail to: plinder@botzoo.uct.ac.za before 2 December 1996.
Director of Ecological Restoration, Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, California. Position begins approximately March 1, 1997, salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Limited travel required off-island. Directs the Conservancy's efforts with regard to scientific research and the ecological management and restoration of the island. Ph.D. required in plant or systems ecology from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience in restoration ecology, conservation biology, field ecology, landscape ecology or a related field. Experience in field research, designing and managing diverse projects, resource assessments and mapping, sampling, monitoring and analysis, and/or manipulative ecological restoration projects. Submit cover letter (limit 1 page); résumé or curriculum vita (limit 3 pages); publications list; and a statement of research goals or interests and ecological restoration philosophy (limit 1 page) no later than 31 December 1996. For details, contact: William W. Bushing, Ph.D., Vice-President for Science, Education and Ecological Restoration, Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, P. O. Box 2739, Avalon, CA 90704-2739. Phone: 310 510-2595 ext. 105; Fax: 310 510-2594; e-mail: seer@catalinas.net. The Conservancy is an "at will," affirmative action employer offering equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin or disability (within the physical parameters defined in the job description and those associated with remote island living).
Evolutionary Biology, Indiana University. The Department of Biology and the Program in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior seek to recruit a new faculty member at the junior or senior level in the broad area of evolutionary biology. Candidates' research should be integrative and focus on questions in areas such as physiology, development, or population/quantitative genetics. The successful candidate should have demonstrated ability as a creative scientist and will be expected to conduct a vigorous, independent, externally funded research program and contribute to teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels. Applications from women and minorities are strongly encouraged. For additional information, contact Loren Rieseberg at lriesebe@bio.indiana.edu. Junior candidates should send a curriculum vitae and brief description of research interests, and arrange to have three letters of reference sent to: Evolution Search Committee, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-6801. Senior candidates should send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae. Applications received before 1 December 1996 will be assured of full consideration. Indiana University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information about the Department, see: http://www.bio.indiana.edu.
Laboratory Research Specialist, University of Alabama. The Department of Biological Sciences and Museum of Natural History are seeking applicants to fill a research assistant/laboratory manager position beginning March 1997. The appointment is for a 12 month, full-time, professional staff position. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a molecular systematics labor-atory (research and personnel) and inventory of frozen tissues in a new Scientific Collections Building. Ph.D. in Biological Sciences or related field preferred; M.S. in Biological Sciences or related field and three years of experience required. Applicants must have training in systematic and molecular biology; knowledge and experience with methods for protein and DNA electrophoresis; safe use and management of radioactive compounds and other hazardous chemicals; skills in typing, data base management, accounting, and personnel management; knowledge and experience with use of computers, and cameras (video, still); and must be readily certified in radiation safety. Closing date 20 December 1996. Applicants should arrange for the submission of three letters of reference, and should submit their curriculum vitae, social security number, and a description of research experience and plans to: Richard L. Mayden, Department of Biological Sciences, Box 870344, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0344. Phone: 205 348-9166; Fax: 205 348-1786; e-mail: rmayden@ua1vm.ua.edu The University of Alabama is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Plant Systematist, Lincoln, New Zealand. Landcare Research conducts biosystematics research on New Zealand's plants using its extensive collections (at CHR herbarium), databases, library, and laboratory resources. We seek a Plant Systematist to join our plant biosystematics team based at Lincoln, near Christchurch. The appointee will have proven skills in plant systematics, including the preparation of taxonomic revisions and the use of cladistic methodologies. They should be conversant with the scope and application of cytological, anatomical and molecular techniques. Experience in biodiversity assessment and species conservation would be an asset. The major research focus will be on monocotyledons. Ph.D. in plant systematics required along with post-doctoral research experience and relevant experience in field work and database use. For information contact: Dr. Ilse Breitwieser, Landcare Research, P.0. Box 69, Lincoln, New Zealand. Phone: +64-3-3256701 extension 3796#; Fax: +64-3-3252418; e-mail: BreitwieserI@landcare. cri.nz. Applications close 15 December 1996.
Evolutionary Biology, 2 Positions at the Assistant Professor level, State University of New York, Stony Brook. The Department of Ecology and Evolution seeks to fill two tenure-track assistant professorships, both to start in September 1997. EVOLUTIONARY THEORY. Research should include analytical or computer modeling of such subjects as evolutionary genetics, phenotypic evolution, or phylogeny. We expect broad familiarity with evolutionary biology, and would favor candidates whose theoretical research is complemented by empirical work, or who can supervise graduate students doing conceptually oriented empirical research. Graduate and undergraduate teaching duties will be based on areas of expertise. PLANT EVOLUTION. We seek a broadly trained botanist who takes a phylogenetic approach to conceptual issues of plant evolution and diversity. Teaching could include graduate courses in plant phylogeny or phylogenetic methods and undergraduate courses in field botany, biodiversity, or conservation biology. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by 15 December 1996 to: Plant Evolution Search or Theory Search (specify), Department of Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5245. The State University of New York is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.
Systematic Botany and Environmental Education, Southern Oregon State College. The Department of Biology is searching for a position in Systematic Botany and Enviromental Education at the Assistant Professor level. Required are a Ph.D. with an emphasis in systematic botany, experience in teaching systematic botany, herbarium curation, and background in conservation biology and education. Duties include teaching Systematic Botany, participating in introductory biology, curating the herbarium and recruiting, advising and teaching in the Environmental Education Master's Degree Program, including summer session. Preference given to applicants who can take advantage of the rich floral diversity of the Klamath Mountains of southwest Oregon and northwest California. The successful applicant expected to develop strong working relationships with state and federal agencies to establish field opportunities for students. Salary $33,435, with additional salary for summer term. Tenure track, 9 month appoint-ment, plus summer session, annual contract beginning 16 September 1997. Send letter of application, three letters of reference, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching experience and approach to teaching Systematic Botany, research plans and list of pertinent courses taken. Application preference given to applications received by 4 December 1996. Contact: SBEE Search, Department of Biology, Southern Oregon State College, Ashland, OR 97520. Phone: 541 552-6341; Fax: 541 552-6415. SOSC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to development of an inclusive multi-cultural community.
Faculty Position Teaching Introductory Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston. The Department of Biology invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant/associate professor level for fall 1997. We seek an individual to teach a required year-long introductory biology course and to participate in a general education curriculum. We are interested in candidates with a strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching who have the experience and ability to manage large courses, incorporate exciting contemporary developments in biology into lectures and laboratory exercises, and generate extramural funding to support effective teaching and the use of instructional technology at the introductory level. Successful candidates are expected to have an active research program that is compatible with important teaching responsibilities. Preference given to those with research interests in environmental biology, particularly field ecology, conservation of biodiversity and systematics, or organismic biology. Promotion and advancement will depend significantly on strong leadership in developing an innovative successful teaching program. Applicants should have a Ph.D. and postdoctoral or equivalent experience. Submit a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching interests and research goals, and three letters of reference to: Dr. Robert W. Guimond, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125. Fax: 617 287-6650; e-mail: macleod@umbsky.cc.umb.edu. Deadline for receipt of applications is 15 December 1996. An Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, Title IX employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Plant Systematic Biologist, North Carolina State University. The Department of Botany invites applications for a 12-month tenure-track position as assistant professor, available 1 July 1997. We are seeking an individual to establish an innovative, competitively-funded research program in vascular plant systematics, with complementary teaching activities. Responsibilities include supervision of graduate students, academic advising of undergraduates, and curating the NCSU Herbarium. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to participate in interdisciplinary research are required. Postdoctoral experience preferred. Send résumé, statements of teaching and research interests, and three letters of recommendation to: W.F. Thompson and T.R. Wentworth, Co-Chairs Plant Systematist Search Committee, Department of Botany, Box 7612, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7612. Applications received prior to 1 January 1997 will be assured of full consideration. An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Assistant Curator - Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden. An exceptional opportunity exists for an individual to join the Research Division as Assistant Curator for the Flora of China project. This project is the first internationally based English-language treatment of the rich flora of China and is overseen by an international editorial committee of Chinese, North American, and European botanists. The selected individual will edit manuscripts; verify bibliographical citations; correspond with co-authors; prepare the scientific index and the project's newsletter; develop a database regarding the novelties, nomenclatural changes, and distribution of extensions of Chinese taxa; complete and update the Chinese taxonomic literature; produce taxonomic treatments; and create accounts and illustrations, in collaboration with other Research staff, and make them available on the Gopher and World Wide Web. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. in taxonomy and a strong knowledge in computer software applications. Chinese language skills are not needed. To apply, submit curriculum vitae to: Missouri Botanical Garden, Human Resource Management, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299. Fax: 314 577-9597; e-mail: rland@admin.mobot.org; Web site: http://www. mobot.org. Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, contact: Guanghua Zhu, above address. Phone: 314 577-9454; Fax: 314 577-9438; e-mail: gzhu@lehmann.mobot.org.
Curator, The Natural History Museum, London. Applications are invited to join the team managing the collections of the Department of Botany. Responsible for the management of the internationally important lichen herbarium and play a lead role in management of the Department's collections database projects. The work includes the preparation of loans, answering enquiries, assisting visitors to the lichen herbarium, database planning, monitoring and trouble shooting, and capturing specimen information on computer database. Applicants should have a degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience and experience in setting up computer databases, word processing and the use of the Internet. A diploma or post graduate qualification in museum studies and/or an information technology qualification would be desirable as would a knowledge of and interest in lichens or other cryptogams. The appointment is initially for a fixed period of 3 years, salary range 16,000-26,000 pounds. For further information and an application form, send an A5 Stamped addressed envelope to: Karen Bostock, Personnel Section, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK. e-mail to: k.bostock@nhm.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is 22 November 1996.
Lecturer in Botany, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland. Applications are invited for the above post, which will be tenable for a fixed-term of five years, commencing as soon as possible. The appointee must be able to contribute to the teaching and research in the Botany Department and preference will be given to candidates with a proven track record in the area of molecular systematics or molecular ecology. Salary scale: Lecturer II: Irish Pound 14,456 - 22,929 per annum. Lecturer I: Irish Pound 29,175 - 35,708 per annum. Application forms and further particulars relating to this post may be obtained from: Establishment Officer, Staff Office, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. Phone: +353-1-6081678; Fax: +353-1-6772169; e-mail: recruit@tcd.ie. Informal enquiries can be made to Professor M.B. Jones by Phone: +353-1-6081769 or e-mail: jonesm@tcd.ie. The Department Home Page is: http://www2.tcd.ie:80/Botany/home.html The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 30 November 1996. Trinity College is an equal opportunities employer.
Evolutionary Plant Biology Position, Ohio University. Applicants invited with research interest in Evolutionary Plant Biology to apply for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level. Candidates are expected to have completed the Ph.D. degree, to develop an active research program, and to secure external funding and attract doctoral students. The successful candidate will teach upper-division under-graduate/graduate courses in evolutionary plant biology, participate in introductory courses for majors or non-majors, and provide research opportunities for doctoral, master's and undergraduate students. Applicants should send by 8 November 1996 their curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests, reprints of publications, and three letters of recommendation to: Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Porter Hall 317, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701-2979. Ohio University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Plant Systematist, Hope College. We seek a broadly trained botanist for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level. The successful candidate will develop a vigorous research program with active participation by undergraduate students. While the particular research area is open, we seek someone who uses modern systematics techniques to address evolutionary or ecological questions of fundamental significance. S/he will teach a course in vascular plant systematics, an introductory course at the organismal or population level, and an additional course in his/her area of expertise. Hope College is a distinguished liberal arts college affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. Qualified applicants should arrange to have a curriculum vitae, transcripts, statements of research interests and teaching philosophy/competencies, and three letters of recommendation sent to: Dr. Christopher Barney, Chair, Department of Biology, Hope College, 35 East 12th Street, Holland, MI 49422-9000. Applications received by 8 November 1996 assured full consideration. Additional information about Hope College is available at: http://www.hope.edu. Hope College complies with all legal requirements prohibiting discrimination in employment. Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Assistant Professor, Evolution and Systematics of Vascular Plants, The George Washington University, Washington, DC. The Department of Biological Sciences of the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences invites applications for the position of: Robert F. Griggs Research Professor of Biological Sciences. This tenure-track position will be filled at the Assistant Professor level by a scientist studying the evolution and systematics of vascular plants. Applicants with research in the phylogenetic analysis of coevolution or biogeography are preferred but others studying the phylogeny of plants are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral experience preferred. The successful candidate should develop a funded research program involving graduate and undergraduate students. In addition, the Robert F. Griggs Research Professor will offer one or two courses in their field per year. Substantial start-up funds are available. Review of applications will begin on 1 November 1996 and continue until the position is filled. The starting date for the position 1 September 1997. Please send a letter of application describing research goals for the next five years and teaching interests, a curriculum vitae, three relevant reprints and three letters of reference to: Diana Lipscomb, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, 340 Lisner Hall, The George Washington University Washington, DC 20052. e-mail: biodl@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu. The George Washington University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. Applications from women and minority scientists are strongly encouraged.
Plant Systematics, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. The Department of Biological Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track position in plant systematics at the Assistant Professor level. We seek applicants with broad training in botany and expertise in evolutionary biology. We are particularly interested in candidates who take a broad view of plant systematics, but who apply molecular techniques to problems in evolution, conservation biology or other related fields. The successful candidate must have a commitment to general education, interdisciplinary education, and working with undergraduate students. Teaching respon-sibilities include a course in modern plant systematics, shared responsibility for teaching general botany for biology majors, and participation in teaching botany/biology undergraduate and graduate courses. Candidates should exhibit potential for independent and innovative research and teaching and a willingness to support the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental specialization in Biology and the Environmental Studies Program. Required are a Ph.D. in botany or biology, teaching and post-doctoral experience. To apply, send a letter of application with a statement of your teaching and research interests, curriculum vitae, university transcripts, names and address of three persons who will serve as references, and reprints of no more than three publications to: Chair, Botanist Search Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, Box 1651, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026. Review of applications begins 1 November 1996.
Systematic Botanist, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia. This is an opportunity to join the Research and Herbarium Division. You will be required to undertake specialist systematic research on vascular and/or non-vascular plants; develop and contribute to projects deriving from the Flora of Victoria; curate selected plant families; provide expert botanical advice to clients; and supervise post-graduate students. You will need a Ph.D. or equivalent experience; demon-strated ability in systematic research (with experience in modern systematic techniques); a high quality publication record; an extensive knowledge of the Victorian flora and herbarium procedures; and effective communication skills. The position is based at the National Herbarium of Victoria, South Yarra, and is offered for a five year term, with the prospect of extension. Salary range $AU34,548-$43,280. Copies of the duty statement and selection criteria are available from the Receptionist, phone: +61-3-9252 2300, Fax: +61-3-6252 2350. Additional infor-mation available from: Dr. Tim Entwisle, Research Manager, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Birdwood Ave., South Yarra, Victoria, 3141, Australia. Phone: 61-3-9252 2313; Fax: 61-3-9252 2350; e-mail: entwisle@botany.unimelb.edu.au. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research experience, a proposed five-year research program and the names of three referees to the Personnel Manager, address above, by 28 October 1996.
Lecturer's Post, School of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore. This is a three-year contract with renewal subject to job performance. It is preferable for candidates to have: 1) recent Ph.D., 2) 1-2 years postdoctoral experience, 3) specialized in Malesian cryptogamic botany, cryptogamic botany of other regions or, higher plants but able to teach cryptogamic botany, and 4) experience in field botany. The appointment involves teaching including cryptogamic botany at the undergraduate and Honours levels as well as conducting a one-week field course in Peninsular Malaysia. Lecturers are also expected to perform administrative duties and carry out research. Research facilities and salary scales are competitive with most of the best universities. Salary will be computed based on the credentials and experience of the candidate. Interested candidates can send their CV to: Prof. T.J. Lam, Director, School of Biological Sciences, The National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260, Republic of Singapore. Fax: 065-779-2486.
Lecturer in Plant Taxonomy, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following contract post from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1999. The successful candidate specifically required to teach course modules in Plant Taxonomy and related aspects of Botany at undergraduate and honours levels; to participate in the day-to-day running and management of the Selmar Schonland Herbarium, which is run jointly by the Department of Botany, the Albany Museum and the Range and Forage Institute; and to participate fully in the department's active postgraduate training programme. While the successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in existing research programmes within the Botany Department, the individual will be actively encouraged to initiate his/her own research projects. Application forms, salary particulars and further information may be obtained from: Mrs. A. Orsmond, Personnel Division, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa. Phone: +27 0461-318115 or -318117; Fax: +27 0461-27626; e-mail: adao@warthog.ru.ac.za. Completed applications should be sent by 27 September 1996.
Interim Manager, Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity, Georgetown, Guyana. The Smithsonian Institution's Biological Diversity of the Guianas Program (BDG) is a field-oriented endeavor that has been in operation since 1983. Its goal is to study, document, and preserve the biological diversity of the Guianas. Originally confined to botany, it has since been expanded to include faunal studies and general biodiversity studies as well. In Guyana the Program operates out of the "Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity" (CSBD) on the campus of and in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG). The CSBD opened in June 1992 and houses a herbarium, a zoological collection, a small library, a GIS Centre, and staff offices. The Interim Manager runs the Centre and is the focal point for all biological diversity activities for the BDG Program. The person should have a good knowledge of field research and taxonomy and be willing to work under what are at times less than optimal conditions. This is a 1/2 time contract position with the anticipation that the Interim Manager will have his or her own research to be conducted during the other half of their time. We prefer that the position be filled for 2 years at a time. The position is expected to be available in October or November of 1996. For more information, contact Dr. V.A. Funk, Department of Botany, NHB#166, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560. Phone: 202 357-2560; Fax: 202 786-2563; e-mail: mnhbo003@sivm.si.edu or Carol L. Kelloff at the above address, Phone: 202 2518; e-mail: mnhbo041@sivm.si.edu.
Manager-Endangered Plant Research, Chicago Botanic Garden. The Manager of Endangered Plant Research is responsible for developing and managing the program for the preservation, propagation, and reintroduction of rare, threatened, and endangered plants of the Greater Chicago region. Reporting to the Director of Research, the Manager has two direct reports: a research botanist and a research ecologist. The Garden supports a well-balanced, applied research program which addresses botanical, horticultural, and conservation issues of the Midwest, with particular emphasis on the highly developed metropolitan region. We seek an experienced program manager with a background in both laboratory research and field research. Qualified candidates must possess a doctoral degree in botany, ecology, horticulture, or equivalent; experience in writing/administrating grants supporting research initiatives; knowledge of budgeting, personnel management, and overall administration of a research department. For consideration contact: Richard M. King, Managing Partner, Kittleman & Associates, 300 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1710, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: 312 986-1166; Fax: 312 986-0895; e-mail: kittleman@aol.com.
Job descriptions have been edited to conserve space; obtain complete descriptions before applying. Listed by deadline date and/or date received. Deadlines may have already passed for some positions; these are retained in this Newsletter as a matter of interest to readers.
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. A one-year internship, beginning mid-June 1997, is available to work on the Flora of Pennsylvania Project. The intern will assist the herbarium curator, participate in the preparation of a field manual of the plants of Pennsylvania, attend weekly classes, seminars and field trips and carry out an independent study project thereby earning graduate credit at the University of Pennsylvania. Approximately $5 per hour for a 40 hour week plus full university benefits including medical insurance and tuition. The internship is intended for students of botany who have completed an undergraduate program and are seeking more exposure to the field before entering graduate school. To apply, send letter of intent, 3 leters of recommendation and transcript to: Janice McFarlan, Internship Coordinator, Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 9414 Meadowbrook Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118. Application deadline: 30 March 1997. For more information contact Dr. Ann F. Rhoads at 215 247 5777 ext. 134; e-mail: rhoadsaf@pobox.upenn.edu, or Dr. Alfred E. Schuyler at 215 299 1193;
e-mail: schuyler@say.acnatsci.org.
The Tilton Postdoctoral Fellowship in Systematics, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco. Applications are invited for collection oriented research and curation in any of the fields of systematics research represented at the California Academy of Sciences. The applicant's doctoral degree must have been awarded within the past five years. This one-year Fellowship includes a stipend of $27,000 plus $1,000 for expenses. For more information, see: http://www.calacademy.org/research. Research Areas: Anthropology, Aquatic Biology, Botany, Diatoms, Entomology, Geology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mammalogy, Ornithology, and Paleontology. Applicants should send: a current résumé, a description of the collections-based research to be undertaken during the Fellowship period, including the desirability of working at the Academy, and names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references to: Tilton Fellowship Committee, Research Administration California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118. Application closing date: 1 February 1997. Award announced 1 April 1997. Starting date is flexible; normally a one year appointment. Contact: Director of Research Office 415 750-7277; Fax: 415 750-7346;
e-mail: ayingling@cas.calacademy.org. The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employeer.
Post-doctoral Positions in Evolution, Ecology, Behavior, University of Maryland and Smithsonian Institution. The newly created Research Training Group on the Biology of Small Populations seeks applications for several post-doctoral positions. The group consists of 18 faculty members from the University of Maryland at College Park (in the Departments of Zoology, Plant Science and Entomology) and the Smithsonian Institution (in the National Zoological Park, the Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, and the Environmental Research Center). The program's goal is to investigate how ecological, evolutionary, and behavioral processes are affected by small population size. We anticipate awarding 3-4 postdoctoral positions (of 1 or 2 years duration) in 1997. The application deadline is 31 January 1997 for applicants wishing to begin their fellowship during the calendar year 1997. To obtain information or application procedures, send a request to BSP-RTG@zool.umd.edu or write to Biology of Small Populations, c/o Department of Zoology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742; or contact one of the co-directors: Gerald Wilkinson, 301 405-6942, (wilkinson@zool.umd.edu) or Peter Abrams, 301 405-6038 (abrams@zool.umd.edu). Applications from women and minorities are encouraged. Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to receive fellowships from the Training Grant; however, applicants with other support (including Smithsonian fellowships) are welcome to participate in program activities.
Postdoctoral Fellowships, The Research Training Group in The Analysis of Biological Diversification at the University of Arizona. A coalition of faculty members from the Departments of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Geosciences, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Entomology, and Plant Sciences, and the Divisions of Neurobiology and Biotechnology is continuing a Research Training Group in the Analysis of Biological Diversification, with funding from the National Science Foundation and the University of Arizona. Postdoctoral Fellowships for up to two years are available to pursue innovative research projects that integrate disparate approaches to biological diversification, including molecular biology, organismal biology, systematics, ecology, paleobiology, developmental biology or population genetics. Our goal is to encourage persons with training in any of these areas to cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines, and in particular to use phylogeny or other historical frameworks to understanding patterns of diversity of life and evolutionary processes. Send Curriculum Vitae, statement (5 page limit including figures and references) of research project that demonstrates connections to the RTG Program, and three letters of recommendation to: RTG in The Analysis of Biological Diversification, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. Additional information at: http://eebweb.arizona.edu/RTG/rtg.html, or by mail at the above address. Applications should be received by 15 January 1997. Fellowships are limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The University of Arizona, an equal opportunity/affirmative action/ADA employer, encourages applications from women and members of under represented minority groups.
Postdoctoral Position in Plant Systematics, Duke University. The Department of Botany announces a postdoctoral fellowship in plant systematics. This position has been made possible by an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant. Applicants may apply to do research with any plant group or across plant groups including algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants. The award includes a stipend and fringe benefits plus funds for research travel and supplies. The Department is particularly interested in Fellows who will enhance our systematics program through interactions with graduate students and faculty in seminars, discussion groups and involvement in research. Preference is given to U.S. citizens. The fellowship will be awarded for one year and may start either 1 January or 1 September 1997; there is the expectation of renewal for a second year. Stipends for one year are $27,000. Applications must be received by 30 November 1996. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a research proposal including indications of any special strengths that the applicant will bring to the program, and copies of publications. Letters of recommendation should be sent by two to three people who are familiar with the research of the applicant. Applications and letters of recommendation should be mailed directly to the Chairman, Department of Botany, Box 90338, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0338, or may be faxed to 919 684-5412. For more information, contact: Richard B. Searles, Chairman, at the above address. Phone: 919 684-3375; Fax: 919 684-5412; e-mail: searles@acpub.duke.edu.
Postdoctoral Position, USDA/ARS/Plant Science Institute. Announcement No. RA-42-6. Position: Botanist, GS-430-11/12. Location: USDA/ARS/Plant Science Institute, National Germplasm Resources Lab, Beltsville, MD. Incumbent will undertake an ecogeographic survey of the wild and cultivated taxa of a major U.S. crop. Distributions of taxa within geographic regions and ecosystems, taxonomic relationships of the species to the crop, analysis of taxa in germplasm collections, vulnerability of wild populations, and other factors will be used to determine conservation priorities for the crop. Literature review, herbarium studies, field collections, and interactions with crop experts will be involved. Conservation recommendations will involve in-situ and ex-situ practices. Special Knowledge of plant taxonomy, conservation biology, agriculture or horticulture, ecology, economic botany and a foreign language required. Skill in the use of computers and databases and botanical collecting in remote areas. Contact Pete Struthers, USDA/ARS/HRD, 6305 Ivy Lane, Suite 361, Greenbelt, MD 20770. Phone: 301 344-1916. Submit applications to: Dr. Ned Garvey, USDA/ARS/PSI/NGRL, Bldg. 003, Rm. 409, BARC-West, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350.
Postdoctoral Position, Plant Molecular Systematics, Virginia Tech University. A two-year postdoctoral position is available to work on the systematics of grasses using DNA sequence information. The applicants should have experience in molecular techniques, particularly in DNA sequencing, and be acquainted with data analysis. The selected candidate can start as soon as possible. Candidates for later start are also encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should send to the address below their curriculum vitae, a cover letter explaining their interest and expertise, and names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references. Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Application materials should be sent to, or additional information can be obtained from: Khidir W. Hilu, Department of Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Phone: 540 231-5407; Fax: 540 231-9307; e-mail: hilukw@vt.edu.
Descriptions may have been edited to conserve space; obtain complete descriptions before applying. Listed in order received. Deadlines may have already passed for some opportunities; these are retained in this Newsletter as a matter of interest to readers.
Second PEET Special Competition in Systematic Biology: Partnerships for Enhancing expertise in Taxonomy, National Science Foundation. Retirement of taxonomic specialists, shifts in academic recruitment and staffing, and reductions in graduate training all conspire to diminish the knowledge that is needed to answer what the National Science Board has labeled a global biodiversity crisis ("Loss of Biological Diversity: A Global Crisis Requiring International Solutions", NSB 89-171). The rate of "extinction" among professional taxonomists led a National Science Foundation task force to call for enhanced training in taxon-specific expertise ("Adapting to the Future: Report of the BBS Task Force Looking to the 21st Century", NSF 91-69). In partnership with academic institutions, botanical gardens, freshwater and marine institutes, and natural history museums, the National Science Foundation seeks to enhance taxonomic research and to prepare future generations of experts. NSF announces a second Special Competition, Partner-ships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy (PEET), to support competitively reviewed research projects that target groups of poorly known organisms. Projects must encourage the training of new generations of taxonomists and translate current expertise into electronic databases and other formats with broad accessibility to the scientific community. Projects designed for 5 years of effort are encouraged, with yearly budgets not to exceed $150,000 (direct plus indirect costs), or $750,000 total. Standard components of taxonomic monography-species description and diagnosis, geographic distribution, scientific nomenclature, identification keys, illustration-are expected in all projects; training of two students and computerization activities are also required. NSF anticipates making 10-20 awards in Fiscal Year 1997 in this second Special Competition, contingent upon availability of funds and quality of proposals received. Proposals should be submitted for a 1 March 1997 postmark deadline to the address given in the "Grant Proposal Guide" (NSF 95-27, page 2). This guide provides relevant forms and rules for proposal preparation. For the PEET Special Competition announcement, contact: Division of Environmental Biology (PEET), National Science Foundation, room 635, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. Phone: 703-306-1481; Fax: 703-306-0367; e-mail: sysrev@ nsf.gov. NSF 97-21 (replaces 94-109) [available on NSF WWW page via ftp at ftp://stis.nsf.gov/nsf9721.txt, in html format at http://megasun.bch.umontreal.ca/isep/peet1p.html, and in Adobe Acrobat format at http:// www.nsf.gov/nsf/nsfpubs/nsf9721/nsf9721.pdf].
Native Plant Conservation Initiative. For the previous two years, the Native Plant Conservation Initiative (NCPI) has had a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) which successfully funded plant conservation projects. Last year, twenty-seven projects, totaling $528,846, were funded in 1996 and at least as many projects are expected to be funded for 1997. This is an important opportunity for native plant conservation projects to receive much needed funding. The partnership has allowed the NPCI to advance its goals and objectives in a highly public light. NPCI is looking for projects which involve as many of its agencies and cooperators (ASPT is a cooperator) as possible. To qualify, projects need to be short term, on-the-ground conservation projects which follow the conditions described in the guidelines. A copy of the 1997 Project Proposal Form can be obtained from the contacts below. Proposal submissions for 1997 projects are due by 1 February 1997. Please send proposals to: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036. Projects are expected to be selected in February 1997 with notification by March 1, 1997. For details, contact one of the following: Kristen LaVine 202 857-0166 (NFWF), Peggy Olwell 202 219-8933 (NPS), Ken Berg 202 452-7764 (BLM), Doug Ripley 703 695-6118 (DOD), Scott Boyce 202 208-2986 (OSM), Elizabeth Ley 202 245-4533 (ARS), Valerie Guardia 202 205-1213 (FS), Richard White 913 462-7290 (NRCS), Joan Canfield 703 358-2105 (FWS), or Al Sherk 703 648-4076 (USGS, formerly NBS).
The American Philosophical Society announces that the Michaux grants in forest botany and silviculture will no longer be offered in a separate competition. Proposals in these fields are accepted by the General Research program, but applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of the program. Grants cover travel to the objects of research, purchase of photoreproductions of documents, and consumable professional supplies not available at the applicant's institution. The Society makes no grants for study, salary replacement, travel to conferences, consultation with other scholars, assistance with data entry, publication or translation, or the purchase of permanent equipment, telephone calls or stationery. Applicants are expected to have held the doctorate for at least one year. Foreign nationals applying from abroad must state precisely what objects of research, ONLY available in the United States, need to be consulted. Deadlines: 1 January 1996 for decision by mid-April; 1 March for decision by mid-June; 1 July for decision by mid-October; and 1 November for decision by mid-February. Amount of award: $5,000 maximum ($4,000 for full professors). Written requests for forms must indicate eligibility, specify the area of research, and state the proposed use of grant funds. Include a self-addressed mailing label. Telephone requests for forms cannot be honored. Our premises have not changed, but either of two addresses is valid: Committee on Research, American Philosophical Society, 104 S. 5th Street OR 150 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3387.
Listed in chronological order. Descriptions may have been edited for space considerations, contact appropriate sources for complete information.
1998
Third International Symposium on the Taxonomy of Cultivated Plants, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland, 20-26 July 1998. Instability and inaccuracy in the names of cultivated plants can have far-reaching consequences. Recent developments in plant-breeding, coupled with commercial considerations, raise issues which should be appreciated, not only by all concerned with plants in cultivation, but also those involved in framing and interpreting national and international legislation. This symposium will further develop some of the themes covered at previous symposia in Wageningen (1985) and Seattle (1994) and will also consider the impact of new approaches, techniques and influences on the taxonomy and nomenclature of cultivated plants. Organized by The Horticultural Taxonomy Group (Hortax) on behalf of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and The Royal Horticultural Society. For more information, contact: Dr. Crinan Alexander, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR Scotland, U.K. Phone: +44 0 131 552 7171; Fax: +44 0 131 552 0382; Voice mail: +44 0 131 459-0446, extension 429.
III Symposium on the Fauna and Flora of the Atlantic Islands, Ponta Delgada, Azores, 21-25 September 1998. The Department of Biology, University of the Azores, will host this conference. The official languages will be Portuguese and English. Information is available through the Internet (http://www.uac.pt/congres.htm). The preferred mode to submit registrations and abstracts is through e-mail (simposio@alf.uac.pt). To register or receive more information by regular mail, contact: Secretariado: Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 58, PT - 9500 Ponta Delgada, Portugal. Phone: +315-96 65 26 92; Fax: +315 96 65 34 55.
1997
25th Annual Meeting of the Association of Biologists using Computing (ABC), California State University-Stanislaus, Turlock, California, 17-18 January 1997. ABC is dedicated to promoting the use of computers for biology teaching and research. Membership is open to biologists that use computers in their teaching and/or research. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to join. There is no membership fee. Members receive a quarterly newsletter (Biobytes) which provides information about computer uses and upcoming events, and access to ABC's on-line library. The annual meeting is held during the month of January at alternating northern and southern campuses of the California State University system. Information is available through the Internet at http://arnica.csustan.edu/abc/. For information, contact: Steven J. Wolf, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University-Stanislaus, Turlock, CA 95380. Phone: 209 667-3489; Fax: 209 667-3694; e-mail: swolf@arnica.csustan.edu.
A Mini-course in Medical Botany, Presented by Dr. James A. Duke in cooperation with the Department of Plant Biology and the College of Life Sciences, University of Maryland, 21-24 January 1997. Noted ethnobotanist Dr. James A. Duke will present a series of short courses for health care practitioners on the importance of medicinal plants. During this inaugural course, Dr. Duke, collaborating with three different offices of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will introduce participants to some of the pros and cons, indications and counter indications, of fifty of the most commonly used herbs in the United States. Cost: $300.00 ($150 for UMCP students and faculty) by 10 January 1997. Please make check payable to the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. This program is an activity of this Foundation, and the funds raised will benefit the College of Life Sciences. For more information contact: Dr. L. Jack, College of Life Sciences, 1122 Symons Hall, University of Maryland, College Park. Maryland 20742. Phone: 301 405-0316; Fax: 301 314-9949; e-mail: ljack@deans.umd.edu; Web site: http://www.inform.umd.edu:8080/EdRes/Colleges/LFSC/life_sciences/.plant_biology/.WWW/duketext.html.
Building Bridges with Traditional Knowledge: An Exploration of Issues Involving Indigenous Peoples, Conservation, Development, and Ethnoscience, University of Florida, 12-15 February 1997. Communication among developmental agencies, non-governmental officials, biologists, and social scientists is essential if we are to achieve a balance among development, conservation, and cultural integrity. This three-day conference will offer a unique opportunity for a diverse group of scholars and indigenous peoples to discuss conservation and development issues of particular importance to Latin America, North America, Polynesia, Africa, and Southeast Asia. It will provide a forum for novices in the ethnosciences to interact with established scientists and members of relevant professional fields. For information, contact: Alexandra Paul/Christine Kelly, BBT Conference, P.O. Box 11039, Gainesville, FL 32611-0329. Fax: 352 392-7127; e-mail: itd@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu; Web site: http://hammock. ifas.ufl.edu/~michael/BBT
13th Symposium Morphology, Anatomy, and Systematics, University of Leuven, Belgium, 6-11 April 1997. There are four general subject areas of the symposium: relationships (phytochemistry, macromolecular systematics, etc.), reproductive biology (inflorescences, pollination biology); floral development, palynology, embryology, etc.); vegetative morphology and anatomy; and theoretical botany. Information is available from: Symposium Secretariat, Laboratory of Plant Systematics, Botanical Institute, KU Leuven, Kardinaal Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Phone: 32-16-321545; Fax: 32-16-321979.
Association of Systematic Collections 1997 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, 24-26 April 1997. The ASC meeting will focus on the Mission of Natural History Collections. The meeting will immediately precede the 1997 meeting of the American Association of Museums (AAM). The meeting will be held jointly for the first time with the Association of Science Museum Directors (ASMD). The theme of the meeting, "The Collections-Based Mission of Natural History Collections," is meant to focus on the core mission of institutions with natural history collections, which is to maintain those collections for use in research and the education of a broad public constituency. The connection between the collections, research derived from the collections, and public programming will be explored by several nationally-known speakers, and will be the subject of a workshop session co-sponsored by the AAM Education Committee. Contact ASC at: asc@ascoll.org, or see our Web site: http://www.ascoll.org/. For more information, contact: Association of Systematic Collections, 1725 K Street NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC 20006-1401. Phone: 202 835-9050; Fax: 202 835-7334.
Two Short Courses in Systematics of Tropical Plant Families, Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami, Florida. Course I: Cycads & Monocots, 18-23 May 1997; Course II: Dicots 25-30 May 1997. As part of the NSF Chautauqua Short Courses for college faculty, these workshops are designed to facilitate instructors in incorporating tropical plant materials in their courses. They will be conducted at Fairchild Tropical Garden and the Montgomery Foundation, where participants are encouraged to photograph and collect specimens. Short lectures will provide orientation to field and technical characters, systematic placement and subdivision, and uses of the major tropical families. Costs include only travel, lodging, incidentals, and a $40 registration fee. Applications available from the Science Education Center, University of Texas, phone: 512 471-7354. Direct questions about content to the instructor, Roger Sanders, Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 509 Pecan St., Fort Worth, Texas 76102-4060. Phone: 817 332-4441; Fax: 817 332-4112; e-mail: rsanders@brit.org.
13th Annual Southwestern Botanical Systematics Symposium, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, California, 24 May 1997. The topic, "Evolution and Taxonomy of Southwestern Plants", will address advances in our understanding of plant groups occurring in the southwestern United States and adjacent areas. The keynote speaker is Billie L. Turner, University of Texas, Austin. Other presenters are J. Curtis Clark, California State Polytechnic University (on Encelia and relatives, Asteraceae), J. Travis Columbus, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (Bouteloua, Gramineae), Gerald J. Gastony, Indiana University (cheilanthoid ferns), Jennifer A. Matos, California State University, Northridge (Pinus, Pinaceae), J. Mark Porter, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (Polemoniaceae), and Robert S. Wallace, Iowa State University (Cactaceae). Early registration (prior to 30 April) is $45 ($25 for students). After 30 April registration is $65 ($40 for students). This fee includes the Friday evening mixer and Saturday lunch. The Saturday evening banquet, featuring Dr. Turner's address, is $35 (16 May receipt deadline). Registration brochures, containing information on housing, may be obtained from: http://www.cgs.edu/inst/rsa/1997symp.htm or Ann Joslin, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711-3157. Phone: 909 625-8767 ext. 251; Fax: 909 626-3489; e-mail: JoslinA@cgs.edu.
Two Courses in Recombinant DNA Laboratory Courses, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1-6 June & 8-13 June 1997. During the summer of 1997, Indiana University's Department of Biology, in cooperation with the I.U. Division of Continuing Studies, will offer two week-long laboratory courses focusing on the techniques and procedures used in recombinant DNA research and their application. Participants also have the opportunity to work with a DNA sample of their own research organism, if they choose. Both courses will be taught at the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. The first Course, "Recombinant DNA Technology," will introduce participants to procedures involved in recombinant DNA work and to the molecular aspects of genetic engineering. The second course, "Application of Recombinant DNA Technology: RFLP and Fingerprinting Analysis, RAPD Analysis, and DNA Sequencing," will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the materials and techniques used in recombinant DNA research. Details on both courses are available at this Web site: http://www.indiana.edu/~scs/dna.html.
12th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, 8-13 July 1997 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, hosted by the University's Natural History Museums Council. The theme of this year's meeting is: Natural History Collections on Campus. Participants are encouraged to submit papers and posters dealing with all aspects of museum science and management. For additional information, contact the Chair of the Local Committee, Steven Krauth, Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 346 Russell Laboratories, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1598. Phone: 608 262-0056; Fax: 608 262-3322; e-mail: krauth@entomology.wisc.edu.
A Short Course in Molecular Genetic Analysis Applied to Evolution, Ecology, and Systematic Biology: an Extended Laboratory Approach, San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, 3-15 August 1997; follow-up, 14-17 January 1998. This course provides an intense 12-day laboratory short course in Molecular Genetics and Evolutionary Biology in the summer of 1997, a 4-day follow-up session in January of 1998, and ongoing technical and material support for each of the following 2 years. Twenty-two faculty will be selected from a national applicant pool comprised of faculty from community colleges, 4-year liberal arts colleges and universities, comprehensive universities, and research universities. We are filling the course on a first qualified application first-served basis, and some participants have already been chosen. An official NSF announcement is expected in early 1997, but we expect the course to be full prior to the release of that announcement. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation: An Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement (UFE) Workshop. Send for an application and course details by contacting Dr. Det Vogler, Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132. Phone: 415 338-6743; FAX: 415 338-6245; e-mail: dvogler@sfsu.edu; Web site: http://falk.ucdavis.edu/bsa/vogler.htm.
Advances in Plant Molecular Systematics-An International Meeting of the Systematics Association, University of Glasgow, 13-15 August 1997. The conference will focus on recent advances and developments in the rapidly expanding field of plant molecular systematics, with talks given by key international speakers. A broad spectrum of the taxonomic hierarchy will be included, ranging from infra-specific variation and population differentiation to high-level phylogeny. Particular attention will be given to the applicability of different approaches at different taxonomic levels, and the meeting will reflect the importance of the linkage between molecular population genetics and phylogeny reconstruction to the understanding of evolutionary patterns and processes among plants. The integration of molecular and non-molecular data sets will also be emphasised. For further information, see the Web site: http://taxonomy.zoology. gla.ac.uk/plant_meeting.html. To be placed on the mailing list, contact: Pete Hollingsworth, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, U.K. Fax: + 44 (0)141 330 5971; e-mail: plantsys@udcf.gla.ac.uk.
Biotic Recoveries from Mass Extinctions, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-14 September 1997. First Announcement-call for participation-call for papers. Recoveries '97. The final meeting of the UNESCO IGCP Project 335. "Biotic Recoveries from Mass Extinctions". About the project In the history of the Earth (including the recent), numerous events of ecosystem collapses occurred that were followed by recoveries and origination of new ecosystems. This significant transformation could be realised in numerous ways. The project aims to be a platform for the study of survival and recovery of the biosphere, and restructuring of global environments, following mass extinctions. Complete information is available on the conference's Home Page http://www.gli.cas.cz/conf/recovery/recovery.htm. Please, direct all correspondence related to the conference to the Conference Manager: Petra Hovorkova, Recoveries '97, Eurocongress Centre, Budejovicka 15, CZ 140 00 Praha 4, Czech Republic. Fax: +42-2-61211247.
Book reviews are now published in Systematic Botany. The following information on books received was provided by Janet R. Sullivan, Book Review Editor.
Algae: An Introduction to Phycology by C. van den Hoek, D.G. Mann, and H.M. Jahns. 1995. xiv + 623 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-30419-9 $110.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-521-31687-1 $39.95 (paper). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Biology of Citrus by P. Spiegel-Roy and E.E. Goldschmidt. 1996. 230 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-33321-0. $54.95 (cloth). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- Comprehensive and critical overview of the biology and cultivation of citrus.
Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry 33. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants VIII edited by Y.P.S. Bajaj. 1996. xxi + 476 pp. 222 figs and 84 tables. ISBN 3-540-58298-3 $369.00 (cloth). New York: Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc. -- This series provides a literature survey of recent information on tissue culture and in vitro production of secondary metabolites. This volume comprises 26 chapters covering distribution, importance, conventional and micropropagation, tissue culture studies and the in vitro production of important medicinal and pharmaceutical compounds in various species in 26 genera.
The Botany of Mangroves by P.B. Tomlinson. 1995. xii + 419 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-46675-X $29.95 (paper). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- Includes chapters on ecology, floristics, biogeography, shoot and root systems, water relations and salt balance, flowering, seedlings and seeds, utilization and exploitation, and detailed descriptions of species.
Catalogue. 8th International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration compiled by James J. White, Autumn M. Farole, and Sharon M. Tomasic. 1995. 178 pp. 109 illus. ISBN 0-913196-63-0 $22.00 (paper). Pittsburgh, PA: Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. -- Black & white reproductions of illustrations on display followed by the artists' résumés.
A Century of Mycology edited by Brian Sutton. 1996. xiii + 398 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-57056-5 $90.00 (cloth). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- This volume commemorates the centenary of the British Mycological Society. The twelve chapters give an accout of the British contribution to mycology, both at a professional and amateur level, provide a commentary on the present state of mycology, and discuss potential future developments.
Chrysophyte Algae. Ecology, Phylogeny and Development edited by Craig D. Sandgren, John P. Smol, and Jorgen Kristiansen. 1995. xiv + 399 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-46260-6 $79.95 (cloth). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- Seventeen contributed papers.
Control of Crop Diseases, Second Edition by W.R. Carlile. 1995. xvi + 145 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-48345-X $19.95 (paper). New Yrok: Cambridge University Press. -- An introduction to modern practices of disease control in commercial crops.
Dynamics of Weed Populations by R. Cousens and M. Mortimer. 1995. xiii +332 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-49649-7 $79.95 (cloth). ISBN 0-521-49969-0 $29.95 (paper). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- Weed management in an ecological context, with a focus on population size rather than on herbicides. Distribution, abundance, dispersal, reproduction, mortality, dynamics of range expansion, and evolution of herbicide resistance are topics covered.
Ecology of the Southern Conifers edited by Neal J. Enright and Robert S. Hill. 1995. 342 pp. illus. ISBN 1-56098-617-4. $60.00 (cloth). Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. -- Twelve contributed papers examine the history and ecology of southern hemisphere conifers and emphasizes their importance in understanding the evolution and ecological dynamics of southern vegetation.
The Ecology of a Tropical Forest. Seasonal Rhythms and Long-term Changes, Second Edition edited by Egbert G. Leigh, Jr., A. Stanley Rand, and Donald M. Windsor. 1996. 503 pp. illus. ISBN 1-56098-642-5 $29.95 (paper). Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. -- This volume includes research papers on the plants and animals of the tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. This edition includes an afterward summarizing new research findings and major initiatives of the last fifteen years, since the publication of the first edition.
Fire and Plants by William J. Bond and Brian W. van Wilgen. 1996. 263 pp. black and white illus. and 8 color plates. ISBN 0-412-47540-5. cost unknown (cloth). New York: Chapman & Hall. -- Presents topics in plant population biology in relation to fire. Topics include vegetative and reproductive responses to fire, plant demography and fire, fire and evolutionary ecology, and fire, competition, and the organization of communities.
Flora of Australia. Volume 28. Gentianales. This volume edited by Annette Wilson. 1996. xxi + 335 pp. illus. ISBN 0-643-05885-0 $69.95 Australian (paper). ISBN 0-643-058832 $79.95 Australian (cloth). Melbourne: CSIRO Australia. -- This volume includes the treatments of Loganiaceae, Gentianaceae, Apocynaceae, and Asclepiadaceae.
Genetic Data Analysis II by Bruce S. Weir. 1996. xii + 445 pp. illus. ISBN 0-87893-902-4 $34.95 (paper). Sunderland, Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates, Inc. -- This is a reference for use in interpreting discrete population genetic data. The second edition incorporates many new features based on the suggestions of users.
Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems edited by Brian Walker and Will Steffen. 1996. xvi + 619 pp. illus. ISBN0-521-57810-8 $39.95 (paper). ISBN 0-521-57094-8 $120.00 (cloth). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- Twenty-nine chapters address the question of how the world's vegetation will be affected by changes in land use, the composition of gases in the atmosphere, and climate. Among the special features of the book are descriptions of a dynamic global vegetation model, developing generic crop models, and the emerging discipline of global ecology.
Horticultural Reviews, Volume 17 edited by Jules Janick. 1995. x + 456 pp. illus. ISBN 0-471-57335-3 $120.00 (cloth). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. -- Eleven papers covering a variety of topics from origin and domestication to leaf blackening and volatile emissions.
Icones Pleurothalli Dinarum XIII: Systematics of Restrepia (Orchidaceae) by Carlyle A. Luer in collaboration with Rodrigo Escobar Restrepo. 1996. 168 pp. including 63 black and white and 16 color plates. ISBN 0-915279-39-8 $27.50 (paper). Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missori Botanical Garden, Number 59. St. Louis: Missori Botanical Garden.
Introductory Mycology, 4th Edition by C.J. Alexopoulos, C.W. Mims, and M. Blackwell. 1995. x+ 868 pp. illus. ISBN 0-471-52229-5 $84.95 (cloth). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Niebla and Vermilacinia (Ramalinaceae) from California and Baja California by Richard W. Spjut. 208 pp + 11 color plates. ISSN0833-1475. cost unknown (paper). SIDA, Botanical Miscellany, No. 14. Fort Worth, Texas: Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Inc. -- This treatment of two lichen genera includes sections on climate, vegetation, and phytogeography of the region.
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Asia. Breeding and Improvement edited by Narong Chomchalow and Hans V. Henle. 1995. vii + 196 pp. ISBN 1-886-106-52-5 $35.00 (paper). Lebanon, NH: Science Publishers, Inc. -- Nine contributed papers followed by reports from ten countries.
The Miocene Purple Mountain Flora of Western Nevada by Daniel I. Axelrod. 1995. ix + 105 pp. 21 plates. ISBN 0-520-09797-1 $14.00 (paper). Berkeley: University of California Press.
Null Models in Ecology by Nicholas J. Gotelli and Gary R. Graves. 1996. viii + 368 pp. illus. ISBN 1-56098-645-X $30.00 (paper). ISBN 1-56098-657-3 $65.00 (cloth). Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. -- This is a detailed overview of the the use of null models in analyzing patterns in nature. The authors address major issues in community ecology and explain the conceptual and mathematical bases of various null models.
Patterns in Fungal Development edited by Siu-Wai Chiu and David Moore. 1996. xii + 226 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-56047-0 $54.95 (cloth). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- This book includes eight papers on the develop-mental biology of fungal morphogenesis. The authors address the theory of pattern formation as it relates to fungi.
Plant Breeding Reviews, Volume 13 edited by Jules Janick. 1995. ix + 383 pp. illus. ISBN 0-471-57343-4 $120.00 (cloth). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. -- Ten papers covering a variety of topics in plant breeding and genetics.
Plant Ecophysiology edited by M.N.V. Prasad. 1997. 510 pp. illus. ISBN 0-471-13157-1 $89.95 (cloth). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. -- Fifteen chapters examine the environmental stresses limiting plant productivity. Abiotic factors covered are light, UV-B radiation, chilling and freezing, high temperature, drought, flooding, salt, and trace metals. Biotic factors included are allelochemicals, herbicides, polyamines, air pollutants, carbon dioxide, radionuclides, and fire.
Plant Growth Substances. Principles and Applications by Richard Arteca. 1996. 332 pp. illus. ISBN 0-412-03911-7. cost unknown (cloth). New York: Chapman & Hall. -- Examines plant growth substances and their relationship to physiological processes ranging from seed germination to plant death. Illustrates uses of plant substances in agriculture for increased production and profit.
Plant-Microbe Interactions. Volume 1 edited by Gary Stacey and Noel T. Keen. 1996. 316 pp. illus. ISBN 0-412-98881-X. cost unknown (cloth). New York: Chapman & Hall. -- The first volume in a series covering all aspects of plant-microbe interactions. Some of the topics covered in this volume are: molecular cloning of disease resistance genes, transgenic plants for disease control, systemic acquired resistance, and current concepts in the use of introduced bacteria for biological disease control.
A revision of Heterotheca sect. Phyllotheca (Nutt.) Harms (Compositae: Astereae): the prairie and Montane Goldenasters of North America by John C. Semple. 1996. iv +164 pp. illus. Estimated price $15.00 Canadian plus shipping and handling. University of Waterloo Biology Series No. 37. Available from: Biology Series, Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1.
Selection Methods in Plant Breeding by Izak Bos and Peter Caligari. 1995. 347 pp. ISBN 0-412-55330-9. cost unknown (cloth). New York: Chapman & Hall. -- A comprehensive review of the priciples and methods used for selection in plant breeding programs.
Stomata. Second Edition by Colin Willmer and Mark Fricker. 1996. 375 pp. illus. ISBN 0-412-72500-2. cost unknown (cloth). New York: Chapman & Hall. -- A comprehensive reference text covering all aspects of stomatal biology.
Trees of the Balikpapan-Samarinda Area, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. A Manual to 280 Selected Species by Paul J. A. Keßler and Kade Sidiyasa. 1994. 446 pp. 197 figs. ISBN 90-5113-019-8 fl.95,00 (paper). Leiden: Backhuys Publishers. -- Includes keys, descriptions, and line drawings.
Wind and Trees edited by M.P. Coutts and J. Grace. 1995. xv + 485 pp. illus. ISBN 0-521-46037-9 $94.95 (cloth). New York: Cambridge University Press. -- Twenty-seven papers presented at a conference titled "Wind and Wind-Related Damage to Trees" held in Edinburgh in July 1993.
If you have a new or revised Web site that may be of interest to the membership of ASPT, please send the URL address to the editor of the Newsletter. This section is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all sites useful to plant taxonomists.
The Penstemon Website: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~awolfe/Penstemon/Penstemon.html, by Andi Wolfe, Ohio State University. This Web site includes photographs of some species and links to other pages on Penstemon research (systematics, hybridization, pollen presentation theory). The collection of photographs will be expanded in the future.
The Parasitic Plant Connection: http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/Parasitic%20Plant/PPP%20pages/index.html, by Dan Nickrent, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. "I would like to use these pages as a repository of information on parasitic plants as an aid to my research program. Parasitic plants are found in approximately 18-22 families representing 230 genera and 3100 species. A group of this size requires real effort to keep the information organized (something systematists are compelled to do)...During the course of traveling to the far corners of the earth to collect parasitic plants, I have assembled a rather sizable collection of photographs of these unusual plants. With these, and hopefully with others made available by colleagues, I hope to share with others the joy of viewing these fantastic plants. "
The Rosaceae (Rose Family): http://www.life.uiuc.edu/plantbio/260/Rosaceae/Rosehome.html. Lecture text and slides on this family for the plant systematics class at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, by Ken Robertson, Illinois Natural History Survey. [120 images]
Flora2k: Biodiversity on the Internet: http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/kartesz/flora2ka.htm. Four selection options use alphabetical menus for initial selection and, from these, selectable listings for user-defined action: Gateway (Places target family within the Cronquist classification matrix as defined by Flowering Plant), Family (Browse BONAP genera for the selected family and, from linked generic names, use Genus name string to query the database, Genus-Technical (Genus name string to query the database by direct selection of the name), Genus-Common (Use `common' generic name string to query the database by direct selection of the name).
The current version of the Index Nominum Genicorum is now available through the WWW at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/ing. The Index, a collaborative project of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy and the Smithsonian Institution, was initiated in 1954 as a compilation of generic names published for all organisms covered by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. The original intent of the ING was to bring all generic names of plants together in a single list to reveal homonymy between groups. In addition, ING includes bibliographic citations and information about the typification and nomenclatural status of generic names.
New Mexico State University Range Science Herbarium (NMCR): http://web.nmsu.edu/~kallred/herbweb/. This herbarium is administered through the Department of Animal and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, and is separate from the larger Biology Herbarium (NMC) in the College of Arts and Sciences. The herbarium houses about 18,000 specimens, about half of them grasses, emphasizing the flora of New Mexico. The collection is especially rich in Aristida and Bothriochloa, as well as being the voucher depository for several floristic and systematic studies of the past several years.
Flora North America has established its own WWW site at http://www.fna.org/. This site is under rapid development. Current menu options include FNA Alive! for the latest news, FNA Digital Library about the project's online library, and FNA Services that will be the project's information services center.
The Missouri Botanical Garden has been developing its TROPICOS botanical database for the past 14 years, and it now contains over 3/4 million records of plant names and 1 million records of plant specimens. A new Web inter-face has been developed called W3 TROPICOS, available at: http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Research/research.html, which culminates a two-year effor to make this data available on the Web.
The New York Botanical Garden has announced its WWW site at http://www.nybg.org/. A considerable amount of information from the Botanical Science Division is accessible by clicking on "Research".
The American Museum of Natural History has launched its site on the World Wide Web (http://www.amnh.org) as part of its ongoing effort to expand its educational reach and bring its vast resources to the widest possible public. The Museum's Web site contains a wide range of material, from general information on the Museum and its programs to detailed information on exhibitions, scientific research, and educational programming.
9 January 1997