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Walter S. Judd, Ph.D.

Professor of Botany

• Systematics
• 378 Dickinson Hall
• (352) 392-1721 (ext. 206) (Voice)
• (352) 392-3993 (Fax)
• wjudd@botany.ufl.edu

Biography

Walter Judd was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on 14 April 1951, but was raised in rural southern Michigan, where he developed a keen interest in natural history. He graduated from Corunna High School (1969) and received his B.S. (1973) and M.S. (1974) degrees from Michigan State University, Department of Botany. A turning point in his academic development came when he took Dr. John Beaman's Plant Taxonomy course, and soon thereafter became involved in taxonomic teaching and research. During his doctoral work at Harvard University (Dept. of Biology) he studied the systematics of Lyonia and Pieris under the direction of Dr. Carroll Wood, Jr., and was introduced to tropical angiosperm diversity by Dr. Richard Howard. After receiving his Ph.D. (1978), Dr. Judd was hired as a "tropical botanist" by the Dept. of Botany at the University of Florida. At U.F. he has continued his systematic work with Ericaceae, and has collaborated extensively with Dr. Kathleen Kron on a series of phylogenetic analyses of Ericaceae (involving both morphological and molecular characters). He also has developed a research program in the Melastomataceae, especially Miconieae. This work (much of which was done in collaboration with Dr. James D. Skean) has resulted in the re-circumscription of several genera and the description of numerous new species. Dr. Judd has long been interested in the relationships between temperate and tropical angiosperm families, and has collaborated with Drs. Roger Sanders, Michael Donoghue, and Steven Manchester on these projects. Finally, Dr. Judd is currently involved in the writing of several family treatments for the Generic Flora of the Southeastern U.S. (a collaborative project with Drs. Norton Miller and Carroll Wood).

Education

• Ph.D., Harvard University (Biology, Systematics), 1978
• M.S., Michigan State University (Botany), 1974
• B.S., Michigan State University (Botany), 1973
• M.S. Thesis Title: The systematics of Lyonia (Ericaceae) in North America.
• Ph.D. Dissertation Title: A monograph of Lyonia (Ericaceae).

Academic Positions

• Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, University of Florida, 1978-1983; Associate Professor, 1983-1991; Full Professor, 1991-present.
• Affiliate Assistant Curator in Botany, Florida State Museum, University of Florida, 1979; Affiliate Associate Curator in Botany, 1983-1991;
• Affiliate Curator in Botany, 1991-present. Affiliate Professor, Tropical Conservation and Development, 1993-present.
• Coordinator of Biological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, 2002-present.

Research Interests / Major Research Achievements:

My research concerns the systematics and evolution of flowering plants, with specific interest in the Ericaceae and Melastomataceae, phylogenetic relationships within temperate/tropical family pairs, and the floras of the West Indies and southeastern U.S. I have conducted field work mainly in the southeastern United States, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Currently, I am involved in a taxonomic revision of Miconia sect. Chaenopleura in the West Indies, an investigation of the phylogeny of the Ericaceae sensu lato, the treatment of several families for the Generic Flora of the Southeastern United States, and the production of an introductory textbook in plant systematics.

Present Research

• Monographic studies of several genera in the Ericaceae, e.g., Lyonia, Pieris, Agarista, Leucothoe, Craibiodendron, and Rhododendron.
• Phylogeny of Ericaceae (collaborative project with K. A. Kron): published cladistic analyses (combined DNA and morphology) of Lyonia group, and the Andromedeae, and a combined analysis of entire family in progress.
• Monographic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae), e.g., generic relationships, Miconia sect. Chaenopleura.
• Angiosperm phylogeny, Temperate/tropical angiosperm family pairs.
• Taxonomic studies of Florida species, especially shrub endemics.
• Antillean floristics: Flora of the Antilles project; floristic studies in the national parks of Haiti.
• Southeastern U.S. floristics: treatments of Pittosporaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Asphodelaceae, Smilacaceae, Hypoxidaceae, Chenopodiaceae, and Asparagaceae for Generic Flora of the Southeastern United States, with treatments of Convallariaceae, Agavaceae and Cactaceae in progress.

Present Students

• Richard Abbott
• Paul Corogin
• Jeffery Hubbard
• Gretchen Ionta
• Darin Pennys

Courses Taught:

• Practical Plant Taxonomy
• Taxonomy of Vascular Plants
• Advanced Plant Taxonomy
• Angiosperm Systematics (mini-course)
• Tropical Botany
• Cells, Organisms, and Genetics
• Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
• Principles of Biological Systematics

Membership in Professional Organizations:

• American Bryological & Lichenological Society
• American Society of Plant Taxonomists
• Botanical Society of America
• International Association for Plant Taxonomy
• Michigan Botanical Club
• New England Botanical Club
• Society of Systematic Biologists
• Southern Appalachian Botanical Club

Grants received

• National Science Foundation Grant for Improving Doctoral Dissertation Research: The systematics of Lyonia (Ericaceae) (1975-1976)--under direction of Dr. Carroll E. Wood
• National Science Foundation Grant: Generic relationships in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae) BSR-8406760 (1984-1988); $67,833.00
• National Science Foundation Grant for Improving Doctoral Dissertation Research: A monograph of Mecranium and Ekmaniocharis (Melastomataceae). James D. Skean, Jr.--student investigator, BSR-8514299 (1985-1988); $6118.00
• National Science Foundation Grant for Improving Doctoral Dissertation Research: Systematics of Rhododendron section Pentanthera (Ericaceae). Kathleen A. Kron--student investigator, BSR-8601236 (1986-1987); $2700.00
• National Science Foundation Grant: A monograph of Antillean species of Miconia sect. Chaenopleura (Melastomataceae); BSR-9016793 (1991-1994); $88,058.00
• National Science Foundation Grant: Phylogenetic relationships in the Ericaceae s.l.: combined evidence from morphology and DNA sequences of two chloroplast genes and one nuclear ribosomal gene. Kathleen A. Kron--principal investigator, Peter F. Stevens and Walter S. Judd--collaborators; awarded (1994-1997). $11,200.00
• National Science Foundation Grant: A new direction in systematics, integrating cladistic analysis and geographic information systems. Gerald F. Guala--student investigator; awarded (1995-1996); DEB-9423452 $10,000.
• National Science Foundation Grant: Generic Flora of the Southeastern United States (Phase III), A Collaborative Project; awarded (1995-1998); DEB-9419940; $195,000. Creativity extension (1998-2000).
• National Sciene Foundation Grant: The angiosperm tree of life: Resolving the trunk of the tree and 12 of its thorniest nodes . Assembling the Tree-of-Life Grant. Doug and Pam Soltis are coordinating the grant, with Steve Manchester (F.M.N.H.) and myself as co-PI's at the University of Florida. Proposed $830,358 [at U.F.; the grant involves several institutions, outside co-PIs, and totals $2,999,201]. (2004-2009).
• National Science Foundation Grant: Dissertation Research: Phylogeny and character evolution in the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae): Neotropical epiphytes with mite and ant domatia. Darin Penneys is the student investigator on this proposal. Proposed amount: $12,000. (2005-2007).
• National Science Foundation Grant: A phylogenetic analysis of Miconieae (Melastomataceae) based on molecular and morphological characters . A collaborative grant with Fabian Michelangeli, of the New York Botanical Garden). Proposed amount: $160, 443. (2005-2007).

Selected Publications

Penneys, D. S., & W. S. Judd. 2005. A systematic revision and cladistic analysis of Charianthus (Miconieae: Melastomataceae) using morphological and molecular characters. Systematic Botany 30: 559-584.

Judd, W. S. & J. Timyan. 2005. A compilation if herbarium specimens representing those vascular plant species collected in floristic inventories of Morne la Visite and Pic Macaya National Parks, Haiti. 782 pp. Compiled by the authors.

Zomlefer, W. B., W. M. Whitten, W. S. Judd, N. H. Williams. 2005. Infrageneric phylogeny of Schoenocaulon (Liliales: Melanthiaceae) with clarification of cryptic species based on ITS sequence data and geographical distribution. Botany 2005—Abstracts. Abstract ID: 121.

Judd, W. S., D. S. Penneys, & J. D. Skean, Jr.. 2004. Systematic diversity of Miconia (Melastomataceae) on Hispaniola. Botany 2004—Abstracts. Abstract ID: 41.

Penneys, D. S., W. M. Whitten, N. H. Williams, & W. S. Judd. 2004. Huilaea and the Blakeeae (Melastomataceae): phylogenetic relationships reconsidered. Botany 2004—Abstracts. Abstract ID: 136.

Penneys, D. S., F. A. Michelangeli, W. S. Judd, and J. D. Skean, Jr. 2004. Henrietteeae, a new tribe of Neotropical Melastomataceae. Botany 2004—Abstracts. Abstract ID: 226.

G. M. Ionta, N. H. Williams, W. M. Whitten, and W. S. Judd. Relationships within a temperate genus of Melastomataceae: the meadow beauties. Botany 2004—Abstracts. Abstract ID: 307.

Notis, C. H., W. S. Judd, D. E. Soltis, & P. E. Soltis. 2003. Phylogenetic analysis of Kielmeyeroideae (Clusiaceae) based on ITS sequences. Botany 2003—Abstracts. Abstract ID: 353.

Porter-Utley, K. E. & W. S. Judd. 2002. Phylogenetic relationships within Passiflora L. Section Cieca (Medikus) DC. (Passifloraceae). Botany 2002—Abstracts. P. 146.

Judd, W. S. 2002. Systematics of Antillean species of Miconia sect. Chaenopleura (Melastomataceae, Miconieae). Botany 2002—Abstracts. P. 130.

Penneys, D. S., W. S. Judd, N. H. Williams, & W. M. Whitten. 2001. A cladistic analysis of Charianthus (Miconieae: Melastomataceae) using morphological and molecular characters. Botany 2001—Abstracts. P. 133.

Porter-Utley, K., W. S. Judd, J. MacDougal, W. M. Whitten, & N. H. Williams. 2001. Phylogenetic relationships within Passiflora L. section Cieca Mast. (Passifloraceae) based on morphological and molecular evidence. Botany 2001—Abstracts. P. 162.

Zomlefer, W. B., N. H. Williams, W. M. Whitten, & W. S. Judd. The genera of Melanthieae (Liliales, Melanthiaceae): circumscription and relationships based on ITS and trnL-F sequence data. Botany 2001—Abstracts. P. 165.

Kron, K. A., W. S. Judd, and D. M. Crayn. 1999. Phylogenetic analyses of the Andromedeae (Ericaceae subfam. Vaccinioideae) Amer. J. Bot. 86:1290-1300.

Judd, W. S., C. S. Campbell, E. A. Kellog, S. P. F Sterens. 1999. Plant Systematics: A phylogenetic approach. Sinauer Assoc., Sunderland MA. xvi +464 pp. (text with CD-ROM) ISBN 0-8793-404-9.

Judd, W.S. 1999. The genera of Chenopodiaceae in the Southeastern United States. Harvard papers in Botany No. 4:365-416.

Judd, W. S. 1998. The Smilacaceae in the Southeastern United States. Harvard Papers in Botany. No. 3: 148-169.

Kron, K. A. & W. S. Judd. 1997. Systematics of the Lyonia group (Andromedeae, Ericaceae) and the use of species as terminals in higher-level cladistic analyses. Syst. Bot. 22: 479-492.

Judd, W. S. & S. R. Manchester. 1997. Circumscription of Malvaceae (Malvales) as determined by a preliminary cladistic analysis of morphological, anatomical, palynological, and chemical characters. Brittonia 49: 384-405.

Judd, W. S. 1997. The Asphodelaceae in the Southeastern United States. Harvard Papers in Botany No. 11: 109-123.

Judd, W. S. 1997. The Flacourtiaceae in the Southeastern United States. Harvard Papers in Botany No. 10: 65-79. 1997.

Luteyn, J. L., W. S. Judd, S. P. Vander Kloet, L. J. Dorr, G. D. Wallace, K. A. Kron, P. F. Stevens, S. E. Clemants. 1996. Ericaceae of the Southeastern United States. Castanea 61: 101-144.

Judd, W. S. 1996. The Pittosporaceae in the southeastern United States. Harvard Papers in Botany No. 8: 15-26.

Judd, W. S., V. T. Salzman, J. D. Skean, Jr. 1995. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). VII. Miconia howardii, a new species from Hispaniola. Brittonia 47: 414-421.

Judd, W. S. 1995. Kalmia, Lyonia, Agarista, Pieris. In: J. Luteyn, ed. Ericaceae Part II--The Superior-ovaried Genera. Flora Neotropica, vol. 66. New York Botanical Garden, N.Y.

Judd, W. S. & K. A. Kron. 1995. A revision of Rhododendron. VI. Subgenus Pentanthera (sections Sciadorhodion, Rhodora, and Viscidula). Edinburgh J. Bot. 52(1): 1-54.

Judd, W. S. & J. D. Skean, Jr. 1994. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). VI. Miconia santanana, a new species from Hispaniola. Brittonia 46: 99-104.

Judd, W. S., R. W. Sanders, & M. J. Donoghue. 1994. Angiosperm family pairs: preliminary phylogenetic analyses. Harvard Papers in Botany 5: 1-51.

Judd, W. S. & E. Karpook. 1993 [1994]. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). VI. Miconia stenobotrys, circumscription and relationships. Rhodora 95: 325-341.

Judd, W. S., W. L. Stern, & V. I. Cheadle. 1993. Phylogenetic position of Apostasia and Neuwiedia (Orchidaceae). Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 113: 87-94.

Judd, W. S. & K. A. Kron. 1993. Circumscription of Ericaceae (Ericales) as determined by preliminary cladistic analyses based on morphological, anatomical, and embryological features. Brittonia 45: 99-114.

Judd, W. S. & J. D. Skean, Jr. 1991. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). IV. Generic realignments among terminal-flowered taxa. Bull. of the Florida Museum of Natural History, Biol. Sci. 36(2): 25-84.

Kron, K. A. & W. S. Judd. 1990. Phylogenetic relationships within the Rhodoreae (Ericaceae) with specific comments on the placement of Ledum. Systematic Botany 15: 57-68.

Judd, W. S. 1989. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). III. Cladistic analysis of axillary-flowered taxa. Annals Missouri Bot. Garden 76: 476-495.

Huck, R., W. S. Judd, M. Whitten, J. D. Skean, Jr., R. P. Wunderlin, & K. R. DeLaney. 1989. A new Dicerandra (Labiatae) from the Lake Wales Ridge of Florida with a cladistic analysis and discussion of endemism. Systematic Botany 14: 197-213.

Judd, W. S. & R. S. Beaman. 1988. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). II. Systematics of the Miconia subcompressa complex of Hispaniola, including the description of two new species. Brittonia 40: 368-391.

Judd, W. S. & J. D. Skean, Jr. 1987. Two new species of Meriania (Melastomataceae) from Hispaniola. Systematic Botany 12: 374-380.

Judd, W. S. 1986. A taxonomic revision of Craibiodendron (Ericaceae). Jour. Arnold Arbor. 67: 441-469.

Judd, W. S. 1986. Taxonomic placement of Calcogonium squamulosum (Melastomataceae: Miconieae). Brittonia 38: 238-242.

Judd, W. S. 1986. Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). I. Variation in inflorescence position. Brittonia 38: 150-161.

Judd, W. S. 1984. A taxonomic revision of Agarista (Ericaceae). Jour. Arnold Arbor. 65: 255-342.

Judd, W. S. 1982. A taxonomic revision of Pieris (Ericaceae). Jour. Arnold Arbor. 63: 103-144.

Judd, W. S. 1981. A monograph of Lyonia (Ericaceae). Jour. Arnold Arbor. 62: 63-209, 315-436.

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