Leo Bruederle, Ph.D., Department Chair, Associate Professor
Research Interests:
Plant Systematics and Evolution
My research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. Specifically, I am interested in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, and conservation genetics.
Currently, students in my laboratory are undertaking research on Carex sections Bicolores, Ceratocystis, and Scirpinae. Other genera with which I have worked include: Eutrema (Brassicaceae), Vaccinium (Ericaceae), and Pinus (Pinaceae). I am also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Current Projects
- genetic diversity in the North American endemics Carex cryptolepis and C. lutea (Cyperaceae)
- phylogeography of Carex scirpoidea (Cyperaceae)
- genetic and morphologic differentiation of Eutrema penlandii, a rare Colorado endemic, and it’s North American congener E. edwardsii (Brassicaceae)
Courses Taught
- Plant Diversity (3330)
- Flora of Colorado (4315/5315)
- Plant Science (4335/5335)
- Population Genetics (4494/5494)
- Field Studies: Desert Biology (4910/5910)
Education
- University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, B.S. - Biology
- University of Wisconson - Milwaukee, M.S. - Biological Sciences (Botany)
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Ph.D - Biological Sciences (Botany)
Publications
Referred Publications, Invited Chapters, and Other Contributions
Jorgenson, M. and L.P. Bruederle. Accepted. Unreduced gamete formation in the large cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon (Ericaceae). Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society.
Bruederle, L.P. Allozyme variation in the genus Carex… 15 years later.: 1986-2001 Accepted. in: R. Naci, editor. Sedges: Uses, Diversity, and Systematics of the Cyperaceae. Missouri Botanic Garden Press, St.Louis.
Standley, L.A., J. Cayouette, and L.P. Bruederle. 2002. Carex section Phacocystis. Pages 379-401 in: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editors. Flora of North America North of Mexico, Vol. 23. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Cyperaceae. Oxford University Press, New York.
Bruederle, L.P. Variety. 2001. Page 146 in: R. Robinson, editor. Plant Sciences. Macmillan Reference USA, New York, NY, USA. Vol. 4.
Bruederle, L.P., D.L. Rogers, K.V. Krutovskii, and D.V. Politov. 2001. Population Genetics and Evolutionary Implications. Pages 137-153 in: D. F. Tomback, S. F. Arno, and R. E. Keane, editors. Whitebark pine communities: ecology and restoration. Island Press, Washington, D.C., USA.
Dekker-Robertson, D., and L.P. Bruederle. 2001. Management implication of genetic structure. Pages 310 - 324 in: D.F. Tomback, S.F. Arno, and R.E. Keane, editors. Whitebark pine communities: ecology and restoration. Island Press, Washington, D.C., USA.
Kuchel, S.D., and L.P. Bruederle. 2001. Genetic diversity and structure in North American populations of Carex viridula Michx. (Cyperaceae). Madroño 47: 147-158.
Mahy, G., L.P. Bruederle, B. Connors, M. Van Hofwegen, and N. Vorsa. 2000. Allozyme evidence for genetic autopolyploidy and high genetic diversity in tetraploid cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos (Ericaceae). Am. J. Bot. 87: 1882-1889.
Ortiz, R., N. Vorsa, L.P. Bruederle and T. Laverty. 1999. Pollen viability in natural populations of three North American diploid species of blueberry (Vaccinium section Cyanococcus). Scientia Horticulturae 80: 39-48.
Bruederle, L.P. 1999. Genetic differentiation of central and marginal populations in Carex mitchelliana (Cyperaceae): Implications for conservation. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 126: 1-8.
Johnson, S.A., L.P. Bruederle, and D.F. Tomback. 1998. A mating system conundrum: Hybridization in Apocynum (Apocynaceae). Am. J. Bot. 85: 1316-1323.
Bruederle, L.P., D.F. Tomback, K.K. Kelly, and R.C. Hardwick. 1998. Population genetic structure in a bird-dispersed pine, Pinus albicaulis (Pinaceae). Can. J. Bot. 76: 83-90.
Bruederle, L.P., M.S. Hugan, J.M. Dignan, and N. Vorsa. 1996. Genetic variation in natural populations of the large cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. (Ericaceae). Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 123: 41-47.
Bruederle, L.P. and N. Vorsa. 1994. Genetic differentiation of diploid blueberry, Vaccinium section Cyanococcus (Ericaceae). Syst. Bot. 19:337-349.
Costich, D.E., R. Ortiz, T.R. Meagher, L.P. Bruederle, and N. Vorsa. 1993. Determination of ploidy level and nuclear DNA content in blueberry by flow cytometry. Theor. and Appl. Gen. 86:1001-1006.
Ortiz, R., L.P. Bruederle, T. Laverty, and N. Vorsa. 1992. The origin of polyploids via 2n gametes in Vaccinium section Cyanococcus. Euphytica 61: 241-246.
Ortiz, R., N. Vorsa, L.P. Bruederle, and T. Laverty. 1992. Occurrence of unreduced pollen in diploid blueberry species, Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus. Theor. and Appl. Gen. 85: 55-60.
Bruederle, L.P. and U. Jensen. 1991. Genetic differentiation of Carex flava and Carex viridula in West Europe (Cyperaceae). Syst. Bot. 16:41-49.
Bruederle, L.P., N. Vorsa, and J.R. Ballington. 1991. Population genetic structure in diploid blueberry, Vaccinium § Cyanococcus (Ericaceae). Am. J. Bot. 78:230-237.
Standley, L.A., J.L. Dudley, and L.P. Bruederle. 1991. Electrophoretic variability in the rare sedge, Carex polymorpha (Cyperaceae). Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 118: 444-450.
van Heemstra, M.I., L.P. Bruederle, and N. Vorsa. 1991. Inheritance and linkage of thirteen polymorphic isozyme loci in diploid blueberry. J. of the Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116:89-94.
Bruederle, L.P., D.E. Fairbrothers, and S.E. Hanks. 1989. Systematic circumscription of Carex mitchelliana (Cyperaceae) with reference to taxonomic status. Am. J. Bot. 76: 124-132.
Bruederle, L.P. and D.E. Fairbrothers. 1986. Allozyme variation in populations of the Carex crinita complex (Cyperaceae). Syst. Bot. 11: 583-594.
Bruederle, L.P. 1986. Systematics of the Carex crinita Lam. complex (Cyperaceae). Ph.D. Dissertation, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick.
Bruederle, L.P. and F.W. Stearns. 1985. Ice Storm damage to a southern mesic Wisconsin forest. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 112: 167-175.
Koch, R.G., P. Younger, and L.P. Bruederle. 1983. Vegetation and floristics of Wisconsin Point, Douglas County. Michigan Botanist 22: 33-46.
Brauner, J. and L.P. Bruederle. 1981. General Biology 101: Laboratory manual. Rutgers, New Brunswick (photocopy).
Bruederle, L.P. 1978. The ecological role of ice storms in the southern mesic forests of Wisconsin. M. Sc. Thesis, Univ. of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Book Reviews
1992 Bruederle, L.P. Wildflower lore, and more (Sanders, J. 1993. Hedge-maids and Fairy Candles. Ragged Mountain Press, Camden). Prairie Naturalist 26: 259.
Non-Refereed Publications
1997 Bruederle, L.P. Systematic investigations of Penland’s alpine fen mustard: Baptism by ... ice? Aquilegia 21: 1, 7.
1985 Bruederle, L.P. Carex mitchelliana in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Bartonia 51: 112-113.
