Dr John A. Thomson

Research Interests

Taxonomy, biogeography and evolutionary relationships of bracken ferns (Pteridium) worldwide; bracken toxins, insects feeding on bracken

Current Projects

1. Relationships in Pteridium based on chloroplast and low copy-number nuclear gene sequences, leading to a revised worldwide taxonomy for the genus
2. Morphotypic polymorphisms in Australian brackens in relation to adaptation to local climatic conditions
3. Adaptation of bracken-feeding insects to toxins produced by these plants.