Phylogenetic Framework of the Plant Family Acanthaceae

This study aims to estimate a phylogenetic tree based on orthologous nuclear loci across Acanthaceae in order to resolve the poorly-supported BAWN clade. We hypothesize that using data sourced from transcriptomes and genome skims from a selection of Acanthaceae species will corroborate the current chloroplast-based phylogeny. This research will allow for greater insight into the phylogenetic history of Acanthaceae by producing a well-resolved, nuclear phylogeny of Acanthaceae, which will provide the basis for a higher-level classification of the family and analysis of potentially synapomorphic characters.