Research Group of Plant Systematics & Evolutionary Biology

Research Areas

Our research spans a wide range of topics in plant systematics and evolution. Our research goal is to test systematic and evolutionary hypotheses in a phylogenetic context. We use DNA sequences to generate hypotheses of phylogenetic relationship for inferring morphological character evolution, analyzing patterns of biogeography, and revising classification. Researchers in our lab have mainly studied the systematics and diversification of Fagaceae. Secondary research interests include the population genetics and conservation of rare and endangered species, phylogeny of tree communities and the phylogeography of Southeast Asia. Other plants we have studied or are currently studying include flowering species of Gesneriaceae with high ornamental value, and the wild resources collection & exploitation is our main focus.


Principal Investigator (PI)
Min Deng, Ph.D., Professor
Tel: +86-021-37792288 ext. 902
Email: dengmin@sibs.ac.cn
Address: Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, 3888 Chenhua Road, Songjiang, Shanghai, 201602, China

Education Background

Ph D: 2001-2007, Botany, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
Bachelor: 1996-2000, Botany, Yunnan University, Kunming, China


Experience

2016-Current: Principal Investigator, Professor, Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences / Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai, China
2011–2015: Principle Investigator, Associate Professor, Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences / Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai, China
2009–2011: Associate Professor, College of Ecology, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
2007–2010: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
2000–2001: Herbarium Assistant, Herbarium of Yunnan University, Kunming, China

Members
Jin Xu (Ph.D)
Associate Professor
Tel: 021-37792288 ext. 915
Email: xujin106@gmail.com
Sisi Zheng (BS)
Lab Technician
Tel: 021-37792288 ext. 512
Email: 451204404@qq.com
Xiaolong Jiang(MSc)
Research Assoicate
Tel: 021-37792288 ext. 920
Email: xiaolongjiang1@gmail.com
Yigang Song(MSc)
Research Associate
Tel: 021-37792288 ext. 915
Email: cherish-faith@163.com

Publications
  1. Deng, M.*Jiang, X.-L., Hipp, A.L., Manos, P.S. Hahn, M.Phylogeny and biogeography of East Asian evergreen oaks (Quercus sectionCyclobalanopsis; Fagaceae): Insights into the Cenozoic history of evergreen broad-leaved forests in subtropical Asia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 2018.119, 170-181.

  2. Jiang, X.L., An, M., Zheng, S.S.,Deng, M.*Geographical isolation and environmental heterogeneity contribute to the spatial genetic patterns of Quercus kerrii (Fagaceae). Heredity. 2018.

  3. An, M.,Deng, M.*, Zheng, S.-S., Jiang, X.-L.,Song, Y.-G. Introgression threatens the genetic diversity of Quercus austrocochinchinensis(Fagaceae), an endangered oak: a case inferred by molecular markers. Frontiers In Plant Science. 2017.8. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00229.

  4. Deng, M., Jiang, X.-L., Song, Y.-G., Coombes, A., Yang, X.-R.Xiong, Y.-S. et al. Leaf epidermal features of Quercus Group Ilex (Fagaceae) and their application to species identification. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 2017.237: 10-36.

  5. Li, Q.S., Deng, M*., Coombes, A. Evaluation of spent mushroom compost as a container medium for production of seedlings of two oak species. Nature Environment & Pollution Technology. 2017.16(2): 529-534. 

  6. Meng, H.H., Su, T., Gao, X.Y., Li, J., Jiang, X.L. et al. Warm-cold colonization: response of oaks to uplift of the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains.Molecular Ecology. 2017.26: 3279-3294.

  7. Su, Z.H., Richardson, B., Li, Z., Xiang, X.-L., Li, W.J. & Kang, X.S. Genetic diversity and structure of an endangered sesert shrub and the implications for conservation. AOB Plants. 2017.9: plx016. 

  8. Xu, J., Jiang, X.L., DengM.*, Westwood, M., Song, Y.G., Zheng, S.S. Conservation genetics of rare trees restricted to subtropical montane cloud forests in southern China: a case study from Quercus arbutifolia (Fagaceae). Tree Genetics & Genomes. 2016.12, 1-16. 

  9. An, M., DengM.*, Zheng, S.S. De novo transcriptome assembly and development of SSR markers of oaks Quercus austrocochinchinensis and Q. kerrii (Fagaceae). Tree Genetics & Genomes.2016.12(6): 103. 

  10. Jiang, X.L., DengM.*, Li, Y.  Evolutionary history of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan Plateau and adjacent areas: an insight from Quercus schottkyana (Fagaceae). Tree Genetics & Genomes. 2016.12:104. 

  11. Deng, M., Coombes, A., Li, Q.S.  Reinstatement of Quercus tungmaiensis Y.T. Chang (Fagaceae) and supplementation of its anatomic features. Phytotaxa. 2015.239 (3): 201-212. 

  12. Song, Y.G., Deng, M.*, Hipp, A. & Li, Q.S. Leaf morphological evidence of natural hybridization between two oak species (Quercus austrocochinchinensis and Q. kerrii) and its implications for conservation management. The European Journal of Forest Research. 2015.134: 139-151. 

  13. Deng, M., Song, Y.G., Li, Q.S., Coombes, A. & Li, Q.J.  Clarification of the identity of Quercus patkoiensis and Q. semiserratoides (Fagaceae) using leaf epidermal features. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 2015.301(3): 849-860. 

  14. Xu, J., Deng, M.*, Jiang, X.L., Westwood, M., Song, Y.G. & Turkington, R. Phylogeography of Quercus glauca (Fagaceae), a dominant tree of East Asia subtropical evergreen forests, based on three chloroplast DNA interspace sequences. Tree Genetics & Genome. 2015.11: 805. 

  15. Deng, M., Hipp, A., Song, Y.G. & Li, Q.S., Coombes, A. & Cotton, A. Leaf epidermal features of Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis (Fagaceae) and their systematic significance. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society2014.176: 224-259. 

  16. Li, Q.S., Deng, M.* et al. Morphological and photosynthetic response to high and low irradiance of Aeschynanthus longicaulisThe Scientific World Journal .2014.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/347461

  17. Li, Q.S., Deng, M.* et al. Lectotypification of Quercus brandisiana Kurz and the significance of the leaf epidermal features to its taxonomy. Phytotaxa. 2013.156(4): 273-278. 

  18. Li, Q.S. Deng, M.* Chen, J.J. Potential of cowpeat as peat substitute in horticultural substractes for foliage plants seedling production. Acta Horticulturae. 2013.1004: 123-128.

  19. Deng, M., Li, Q.S. et al. Typification of Quercus acuta Thunberg and Q. glauca Thunberg (Fagaceae). Phytotaxa. 2013.137(1): 27-34. 

  20. Li, Q.S., Deng, M.* et al. Shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf explants of Lysionotus serratus D. Don. The Scientific World Journal. 2013.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/280384. 

  21. Deng, M., Zhou, Z.K., Li, Q.S.  Taxonomy and systematics of Quercus subgenus  Cyclobalanopsis.  International Oaks (the Journal of the international oak soceity). 2013.24:48-60.

  22. Deng, M., Li, Q.S., Yang, S.T., Liu, Y.C., Xu, J. Comparative morphology of leaf epidermis in the genus Lithocarpus and its implication in leaf epidermal feature evolution in Fagaceae. Plant Systematics & Evolution. 2013.299: 659-681. 

  23. Deng, M., Coombes, A. & Li, Q.S.  Lectotypification of Quercus arbutifolia Hickel & A. Camus and taxonomy revision of related species (Fagaceae). Nordic Journal of Botany .2011.28: 1-7. 

  24. Deng, M., Chen, J.J., Henny, R.J. & Li, Q.S.  Genetic relationships of Codiaeum variegatum cultivars analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers.  HortScience. 2010.45(6): 868-874. 

  25. Deng, M., Zhou, Z.K. & Coombes, A.  Lectotypification and New Synonymy in  Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis (Fagaceae). Novon.2010.20(4): 400-405. 

  26. Deng, M., Chen, J.J., Henny, R.J. & Li, Q.S. Chromosome number and karyotype variation in Codiaeum variegatum cultivars. HortScience. 2010.45(4): 538-540.