Eric J Tepe

Biography

I am currently working on the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the giant genus Solanum. With over 1000 species, the genus Solanum presents the opportunity to work on both large and small-scale questions within the same group of plants. The informally named "Potato Clade" is one of 12-15 well-supported major clades within Solanum, and since it includes the potato (S. tuberosum), tomato (S. lycopersicum), and pepino (S. muricatum), it is one of the most economically important clades of plants in the world. The potato clade is exclusively New World in distribution, with most groups centered in the Andes of South America.

Research Interest

lant systematics, including taxonomy, phylogenetics, biogeography, and diversification of “giant genera” – those with over 1000 species – including Piper (Piperaceae) and Solanum (Solanaceae). Evolution of ant-plant associations.