The first thing needed was a new kind of matrix, one that indicates clearly the places where further research is most needed. These Data Availability Matrices (DAMs), instead of the actual data, indicate whether or not the particular character information is available for a particular taxon (and in most cases, where the data are available).
They take the form of a simple table that indicates the existence of comparative data (published and unpublished) for all exemplar taxa (living and extinct). Also included are fields for comments and pointers to other entities such as literature citations and individual specialists or labs, as well as sources of living material, bulk DNA, herbarium specimens, and archival material (notes, photos, preserved or embedded material, permanent slides). Data domains are based on the interests of particular specialist groups (e.g., molecular, morphological). These domains are further subdivided along specialty (e.g., rbcL (chloroplast), 18S rRNA (nuclear), spermatozoid ultrastructure, spore morphology, wood anatomy, floral morphology, etc.). The actual data availability columns should each indicate a suite of characters that can be gathered at one time by one kind of technology (these of course will vary between groups to some extent).
The representative exemplar taxa were chosen, and given a priority ranking (a number from 1-3 with 1 high), in open discussion at several GPPRCG meetings (see minutes and summaries of these meetings, especially http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/bryolab/GPphylo/summary1.html and http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/bryolab/GPphylo/summary4.html for rationale for choice). We strongly suggest that anyone contemplating research in this area should consider studying these exemplar taxa, for maximum comparability with existing data.
The green plant DAMs thus summarize known data for exemplar taxa and highlight shortcomings in current knowledge and thereby pinpoint areas in need of further investigation. We welcome all suggestions and additions; send these to Brent Mishler at bmishler@socrates.berkeley.edu
| Data Set | Web View | Download Data | Download Format | Last Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyceae Data | View | Download not available | Microsoft Excel | Oct 1, 1998 |
| Prasinophyte Data | View | Download not available | Microsoft Word | Oct 1, 1998 |
| Charophyte Data | View | Download not available | Microsoft Excel | Oct 10, 1998 |
| Fern Data | View | Download | HTML Document | July 26, 1997 |
| Fossil 'Bryophyte' and Basal Vascular Plants | View | Download | RTF Document | August 15, 1996 |
| Moss Data | View | Download | Microsoft Excel File | March 1, 1999 |
| Lycophyte Data | View | Download | RTF Document | November 12, 1996 |
| Fossil Basal Euphyllophytes | View | Download | RTF Document | August 15, 1996 |
| Ferns, Sphenopsids and Psilotaceae | View | Download | RTF Document | November 12, 1996 |
| Seed Plants minus Angiosperms | View | Download | RTF Document | August 15, 1996 |
| Angiosperms | View | Download | RTF Document | November 18, 1996 |