Expert Source: David M. Johnson, Ph.D.

David Johnson specializes in the evolution and biodiversity of ferns and tropical trees. In the course of his work, he has visited 12 tropical American countries, two African countries, and five countries in southeastern Asia to collect and study plants. He has described more than 30 species of plants new to science and has written articles for publication in collaboration with colleagues from 10 different countries. His research has been supported by the Fulbright program, the Field Museum, and the American Philosophical Society, among others.

Education:

• B.A., Hendrix College (Conway, Ark.)
• M.A., University of Michigan
• Ph.D., University of Michigan

Areas of Expertise:

• Rainforests
• Evolutionary relationships of plants
• Endangered plant species
• Plant identification

Selected Publications:

• 2006. Water-clover ferns, Marsilea, in the Southeastern United States. Castanea 71(1):1-14. (with C.C. Jacono).
• 2003. Phylogenetic significance of spiral and distichous architecture in the Annonaceae. Systematic Botany 28(3): 503-511.
• 2003. Comparative development of aseptate and septate anthers of Annonaceae. American Journal of Botany 90(6): 832-848. (with C.H. Tsou).
• 2001. Occurrence and paleoecology of Marsilea from the Eocene Wasatch Formation, Johnson County, Wyoming. Palaios 16(6): 608-613. (with F. R. Rich and T. Durkin).
• 1999. Taxonomy of Xylopia barbata (Annonaceae) and related species from the Amazon/Orinoco region. Contr. Univ. Michigan Herb. 22: 21-28. (with K. J. Bagstad, an Ohio Wesleyan University undergraduate student).
• 1995. Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Trigynaea, Bocagea, and Hornschuchia. Brittonia 47: 248-319. (with N.A. Murray).
• 1986. Systematics of the New World species of Marsilea (Marsileaceae). Syst. Bot. Monogr. 11: 1-87.
• 1981. Natural history of the Ebony Spleenwort, Asplenium platyneuron (Aspleniaceae), in the Great Lakes area. Canad. Field-Nat. 95: 156-166. (with W. H. Wagner, Jr.)