Kathleen M. Pryer | Scholars@Duke

Kathleen M. Pryer
Professor of Biology

Current Research Interests

Understanding the evolutionary relationships of ancient land plants, especially ferns and horsetails, by integrating evidence from morphology, molecules (DNA sequence data from multiple genes), and the fossil record. I use an explicit phylogenetic framework to examine the morphological evolution of various sporophytic and gametophytic characters within vascular plants, and to gain insight into the evolution of various life history traits and body plans that typify vascular plants.

Integrating plastome, transcriptome, RNA-editing, morphological, ecological, and life history data, to yield new insights into the correlates underlying the observed molecular evolutionary rate variation encountered across the tree of life, especially in ferns.

Examining polyploidy and apomixis in ferns. Systematics of cheilanthoid (desert) ferns.

Recently pursuing a new research collaboration with Dr. Tomasi (Duke, Computer Science) and Dr. Meineke (UC-Davis, Entomology) to apply machine learning and computer vision algorithms to investigate long term insect-plant interactions preserved on digitized herbarium specimens.

Strategic planning for collections-based institutes, especially herbaria.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor of Biology, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2011
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society, Duke Science & Society, Initiatives 2017

Contact Information

358 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708-0338
pryer@duke.edu
Pryer Lab Website

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Duke University 1995
- M.S., University of Guelph (Canada) 1981
- B.S., McGill University (Canada) 1976
Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor of Biology, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2005 - 2011
- Assistant Professor of Biology, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2001 - 2004
Recognition
In the News
- JAN 1, 2021 Earth Island Journal
  
  The Little Fern That Could
- JUL 2, 2018 earth.com News
  
  Crowdfunding results in first ever fern genome sequencing
- JUL 2, 2018 Nature Plants
  
  Fern genomes finally here
- JUL 2, 2018 AAAS and EurekAlert!
  
  Fern-tastic! Crowdfunded fern genomes published in Nature Plants
- JUL 2, 2018 Discover Magazine
  
  First Fern Genome Shows Unique Bacterial Partnership
- FEB 2, 2018 American Journal of Botany
  
  A hidden gem in the well‐studied plastome: Discovery of a highly conserved open reading frame in a fern plastid
- JAN 9, 2018 Duke Research Blog
  
  Kathleen Pryer: A Passion for the Little-Loved Fern
- JUL 28, 2015 Science Daily
  
  Plant light sensors came from ancient algae
- JUL 27, 2015 Duke Today
  
  Plant light sensors came from ancient algae
- JUL 2, 2015 Nature
  
  Kathleen Pryer comments: Plant collections left in the cold by cuts
- FEB 18, 2015 Nature
  
  Fern hybrid does not mind the gap
- FEB 16, 2015 redOrbit
  
  Distant fern species create 'love child' after 60 million years
- FEB 13, 2015
  
  Distant Species Produce Love Child After 60-Millon-Year Breakup
- FEB 13, 2015 Science Daily
  
  Distant species produce 'love child' fern after 60-million-year breakup
- JUL 18, 2014 Durham Herald-Sun
  
  Duke researcher uses crowdfunding to raise money for fern genome project
- JUL 14, 2014 Scientific American
  
  How scientists uncovered Arctic clues to a past where a tiny fern changed the planet
- JUL 2, 2014
  
  Crowdfunding for Azolla Fern Research Hits Target
- JUN 20, 2014 The Economist
  
  Finding the genome of an extraordinary plant
- JUN 19, 2014
  
  Going Public With Research Funding
- JUN 13, 2014 Phys.org
  
  Tiny plant, big potential: Researchers raise money from public to sequence 'superorganism' genome
- MAY 30, 2014 The Globe and Mail
  
  Kathleen Pryer: This lowly fern has massive green potential
- APR 29, 2014 Nature
  
  Planting genes
- APR 17, 2014 New York Times
  
  Plants That Practice Genetic Engineering
- APR 14, 2014 National Geographic
  
  Genetic Gift May Have Turned Ferns Into Masters of Shadow
- APR 14, 2014 The Economist
  
  Time and chance: The survival of ferns to the present depended on an ancient accident
- OCT 25, 2012 National Geographic
  
  19 Ferns Go Gaga!
- OCT 24, 2012 Huffington Post
  
  Lady Gaga Fern: Pop Star Honored With Newly Discovered Genus With ‘Fluid Definitions Of Gender’
- OCT 24, 2012 Wired
  
  Lady Gaga Inspires Names of New Fern Species
- OCT 24, 2012 The Guardian
  
  Lady Gaga has new genus of plant named after her
- OCT 24, 2012 RollingStone
  
  New Fern Species Named for Lady Gaga
- OCT 23, 2012 New York Times
  
  Germinated This Way: New Fern Species Named After Lady Gaga
Awards & Honors
Expertise
Subject Headings
Global Scholarship
- Research
Research
Selected Grants
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Books
  - Argus, G. W., & Pryer, K. M. (1990). Rare vascular plants in Canada; our natural heritage. Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) Canadian Museum of Nature, Botany Division.
    Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Argus, G. W., & Pryer, K. M. (1990). Rare vascular plants in Canada; our natural heritage. Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) Canadian Museum of Nature, Botany Division.
    Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Argus, G. W. (1982). Atlas of the rare vascular plants of Ontario /. Botany Division, National Museum of Natural Sciences = Division de la botanique, Musée national des sciences naturelles,. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.51429
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Argus, G. W. (1982). Atlas of the rare vascular plants of Ontario /. Botany Division, National Museum of Natural Sciences = Division de la botanique, Musée national des sciences naturelles,. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.51429
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Argus, G. W. (1982). Atlas of the rare vascular plants of Ontario /. Botany Division, National Museum of Natural Sciences = Division de la botanique, Musée national des sciences naturelles,. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.51429
    Full Text Open Access Copy
- Academic Articles
  - Heron, K., Windham, M. D., Farrar, D. R., & Pryer, K. M. (2021). Looking Back on 130 Years of Fern and Lycophyte Research in Glacier National Park, Montana: A Modern Taxonomic Account. American Fern Journal, 111(4), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1640/0002-8444-111.4.223
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  - Fauskee, B. D., Sigel, E. M., Pryer, K. M., & Grusz, A. L. (2021). Variation in frequency of plastid RNA editing within Adiantum implies rapid evolution in fern plastomes. American Journal of Botany, 108(5), 820–827. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1649
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  - Sosa, K., Pryer, K. M., Huiet, L., Yatskievych, G., & Windham, M. D. (2021). Cheilanthes ecuadorensis: A New Species of Cheilanthes s. s. (Pteridaceae) from Northern South America. Systematic Botany, 46(2), 249–259. https://doi.org/10.1600/036364421X16231782047280
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  - Grusz, A. L., Windham, M. D., Picard, K. T., Pryer, K. M., Schuettpelz, E., & Haufler, C. H. (2021). A drought-driven model for the evolution of obligate apomixis in ferns: evidence from pellaeids (Pteridaceae). American Journal of Botany, 108(2), 263–283. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1611
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  - Meineke, E. K., Tomasi, C., Yuan, S., & Pryer, K. M. (2020). Applying machine learning to investigate long-term insect-plant interactions preserved on digitized herbarium specimens. Applications in Plant Sciences, 8(6), e11369. https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11369
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Kao, T., Rothfels, C. J., Melgoza‐Castillo, A., Pryer, K. M., & Windham, M. D. (2020). Infraspecific diversification of the star cloak fern (Notholaena standleyi) in the deserts of the United States and Mexico. American Journal of Botany, 107(4), 658–675.
    Open Access Copy
  - Meineke, E. K., Tomasi, C., Yuan, S., & Pryer, K. M. (2020). Applying machine learning to investigate long‐term insect–plant interactions preserved on digitized herbarium specimens. Applications in Plant Sciences, 8(6), e11369.
    Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Tomasi, C., Wang, X., Meineke, E. K., & Windham, M. D. (2020). Using computer vision on herbarium specimen images to discriminate among closely related horsetails (Equisetum). Applications in Plant Sciences, 8(6), e11372.
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  - Windham, M. D., Pryer, K. M., Poindexter, D. B., Li, F., Rothfels, C. J., & Beck, J. B. (2020). A step‐by‐step protocol for meiotic chromosome counts in flowering plants: A powerful and economical technique revisited. Applications in Plant Sciences, 8(4).
    Open Access Copy
  - Yang, E. J., Yoo, C. Y., Liu, J., Wang, H., Cao, J., Li, F.-W., … Chen, M. (2019). NCP activates chloroplast transcription by controlling phytochrome-dependent dual nuclear and plastidial switches. Nat Commun, 10(1), 2630. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10517-1
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  - Eily, A. N., Pryer, K. M., & Li, F. (2019). A first glimpse at genes important to the Azolla–Nostoc symbiosis. Symbiosis, 78(2), 149–162.
    Open Access Copy
  - George, L. O., Pryer, K. M., Kao, T., Huiet, L., & Windham, M. D. (2019). Baja: A New Monospecific Genus Segregated from Cheilanthes sl (Pteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 44(3), 471–482.
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  - Kao, T., Pryer, K. M., Freund, F. D., Windham, M. D., & Rothfels, C. J. (2019). Low-copy nuclear sequence data confirm complex patterns of farina evolution in notholaenid ferns (Pteridaceae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 138, 139–155.
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  - Sigel, E. M., Der, J. P., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2019). Expression Level Dominance and Homeolog Expression Bias in Recurrent Origins of the Allopolyploid Fern Polypodium hesperium. American Fern Journal, 109(3), 224–247.
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  - Yang, E. J., Yoo, C. Y., Liu, J., Wang, H., Cao, J., Li, F., … Zhou, P. (2019). NCP activates chloroplast transcription by controlling phytochrome-dependent dual nuclear and plastidial switches. Nature Communications, 10(1), 1–13.
    Open Access Copy
  - Dijkhuizen, L. W., Brouwer, P., Bolhuis, H., Reichart, G., Koppers, N., Huettel, B., … Liu, X. (2018). Is there foul play in the leaf pocket? The metagenome of floating fern Azolla reveals endophytes that do not fix N2 but may denitrify. New Phytologist, 217(1), 453–466.
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  - Huiet, L., Li, F., Kao, T., Prado, J., Smith, A. R., Schuettpelz, E., & Pryeri, K. M. (2018). A worldwide phylogeny of Adiantum (Pteridaceae) reveals remarkable convergent evolution in leaf blade architecture. Taxon, 67(3), 488–502.
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  - Li, F., Brouwer, P., Carretero-Paulet, L., Cheng, S., De Vries, J., Delaux, P., … Li, Z. (2018). Fern genomes elucidate land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses. Nature Plants, 4(7), 460–472.
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  - Schuettpelz, E., Rouhan, G., Pryer, K. M., Rothfels, C. J., Prado, J., Sundue, M. A., … Smith, A. R. (2018). Are there too many fern genera? Taxon, 67(3), 473–480.
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  - Sigel, E. M., Schuettpelz, E., Pryer, K. M., & Der, J. P. (2018). Overlapping patterns of gene expression between gametophyte and sporophyte phases in the fern Polypodium amorphum (Polypodiales). Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 1450.
    Open Access Copy
  - Song, M., Kuo, L., Huiet, L., Pryer, K. M., Rothfels, C. J., & Li, F. (2018). A novel chloroplast gene reported for flagellate plants. American Journal of Botany, 105(1), 117–121.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Pryer, K. M., & Li, F. (2017). Next‐generation polyploid phylogenetics: Rapid resolution of hybrid polyploid complexes using PacBio single‐molecule sequencing. New Phytologist, 213(1), 413–429.
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  - Haufler, C. H., Pryer, K. M., Schuettpelz, E., Sessa, E. B., Farrar, D. R., Moran, R., … Windham, M. D. (2016). Sex and the single gametophyte: Revising the homosporous vascular plant life cycle in light of contemporary research. Bioscience, 66(11), 928–937.
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  - Hirai, R. Y., Schuettpelz, E., Huiet, L., Pryer, K. M., Smith, A. R., & Prado, J. (2016). Phylogeny and relationships of the neotropical Adiantum raddianum group (Pteridaceae). Taxon, 65(6), 1225–1235.
    Open Access Copy
  - Li, F., Kuo, L., Pryer, K. M., & Rothfels, C. J. (2016). Genes translocated into the plastid inverted repeat show decelerated substitution rates and elevated GC content. Genome Biology and Evolution, 8(8), 2452–2458.
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  - Pryer, K. M., Huiet, L., Li, F., Rothfels, C. J., & Schuettpelz, E. (2016). Maidenhair ferns, Adiantum, are indeed monophyletic and sister to shoestring ferns, vittarioids (Pteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 41(1), 17–23.
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  - Schuettpelz, E., Chen, C., Kessler, M., Pinson, J. B., Johnson, G., Davila, A., … Pryer, K. M. (2016). A revised generic classification of vittarioid ferns (Pteridaceae) based on molecular, micromorphological, and geographic data. Taxon, 65(4), 708–722.
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  - Yan, Z., Larsson, A., Shaw, A. J., Thomas, P., Der, J. P., Ruhsam, M., … Sun, X. (2015). Horizontal transfer of an adaptive chimeric photoreceptor from bryophytes to ferns.
    Open Access Copy
  - Grusz, A. L., & Pryer, K. M. (2015). Development of microsatellite markers for the apomictic triploid fern Myriopteris lindheimeri (Pteridaceae). Applications in Plant Sciences, 3(11), 1500061.
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  - Huiet, L., Lenz, M., Nelson, J. K., Pryer, K. M., & Smith, A. R. (2015). Adiantum shastense, a new species of maidenhair fern from California. Phytokeys, (53), 73.
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  - Kao, T., Pryer, K. M., Turner, M. D., White, R. A., & Korall, P. (2015). Origins of the endemic scaly tree ferns on the Galápagos and Cocos Islands. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 176(9), 869–879.
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  - Li, F., Melkonian, M., Rothfels, C. J., Villarreal, J. C., Stevenson, D. W., Graham, S. W., … Mathews, S. (2015). Phytochrome diversity in green plants and the origin of canonical plant phytochromes. Nature Communications, 6(1), 1–12.
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  - Li, F., Rothfels, C. J., Melkonian, M., Villarreal, J. C., Stevenson, D. W., Graham, S. W., … Pryer, K. M. (2015). The origin and evolution of phototropins. Frontiers in Plant Science, 6, 637.
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  - Melkonian, M., Pryer, K. M., Rothfels, C. J., Graham, S. W., Li, F., Villarreal, J. C., … Mathews, S. (2015). Phytochrome diversity in green plants and the origin of canonical plant phytochromes.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Johnson, A. K., Hovenkamp, P. H., Swofford, D. L., Roskam, H. C., Fraser-Jenkins, C. R., … Pryer, K. M. (2015). Natural hybridization between genera that diverged from each other approximately 60 million years ago. The American Naturalist, 185(3), 433–442.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Li, F., Sigel, E. M., Huiet, L., Larsson, A., Burge, D. O., … Stewart Jr, C. N. (2015). The evolutionary history of ferns inferred from 25 low‐copy nuclear genes. American Journal of Botany, 102(7), 1089–1107.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Wong, G. K., Stevenson, D. W., Li, F., Mathews, S., Melkonian, M., … Villarreal, J. C. (2015). The Origin and Evolution of Phototropins.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schuettpelz, E., Pryer, K. M., & Windham, M. D. (2015). A unified approach to taxonomic delimitation in the fern genus Pentagramma (Pteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 40(3), 629–644.
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  - Wolf, P. G., Sessa, E. B., Marchant, D. B., Li, F., Rothfels, C. J., Sigel, E. M., … Soltis, D. E. (2015). An exploration into fern genome space. Genome Biology and Evolution, 7(9), 2533–2544.
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  - Sessa, E. B., Banks, J. A., Barker, M. S., Der, J. P., Duffy, A. M., Graham, S. W., … Wolf, P. G. (2014). Between two fern genomes. Gigascience, 3, 15–15.
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  - Grusz, A. L., Windham, M. D., Yatskievych, G., Huiet, L., Gastony, G. J., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Patterns of diversification in the xeric-adapted fern genus Myriopteris (Pteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 39(3), 698–714.
    Open Access Copy
  - Korall, P., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Global biogeography of scaly tree ferns (Cyatheaceae): evidence for Gondwanan vicariance and limited transoceanic dispersal. Journal of Biogeography, 41(2), 402–413.
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  - Li, F., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Crowdfunding the Azolla fern genome project: a grassroots approach. Gigascience, 3(1), 2047-217X.
    Open Access Copy
  - Li, F., Villarreal, J. C., Kelly, S., Rothfels, C. J., Melkonian, M., Frangedakis, E., … Pittermann, J. (2014). Horizontal transfer of an adaptive chimeric photoreceptor from bryophytes to ferns. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(18), 6672–6677.
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  - Li, F.-W., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Crowdfunding the Azolla fern genome project: a grassroots approach. Gigascience, 3, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-217x-3-16
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Rothfels, C. J., Johnson, A. K., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Low‐copy nuclear data confirm rampant allopolyploidy in the Cystopteridaceae (Polypodiales). Taxon, 63(5), 1026–1036.
    Open Access Copy
  - Sessa, E. B., Banks, J. A., Barker, M. S., Der, J. P., Duffy, A. M., Graham, S. W., … Marchant, D. B. (2014). Between two fern genomes. Gigascience, 3(1), 2047-217X.
    Open Access Copy
  - Sigel, E. M., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Evidence for reciprocal origins in Polypodium hesperium (Polypodiaceae): A fern model system for investigating how multiple origins shape allopolyploid genomes. American Journal of Botany, 101(9), 1476–1485.
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  - Sigel, E. M., Windham, M. D., Haufler, C. H., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Phylogeny, divergence time estimates, and phylogeography of the diploid species of the Polypodium vulgare complex (Polypodiaceae). Systematic Botany, 39(4), 1042–1055.
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  - Sigel, E. M., Windham, M. D., Smith, A. R., Dyer, R. J., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Rediscovery of Polypodium calirhiza (Polypodiaceae) in Mexico. Brittonia, 66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-014-9332-6
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  - Sigel, E. M., Windham, M. D., Smith, A. R., Dyer, R. J., & Pryer, K. M. (2014). Rediscovery of Polypodium calirhiza (Polypodiaceae) in Mexico. Brittonia, 66(3), 278–286.
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  - Wolf, P. G., Sessa, E. B., Marchant, D. B., Li, F., Rothfels, C. J., Sigel, E. M., … Soltis, D. E. (2014). An Exploration of Fern Genome Space.
    Open Access Copy
  - Grusz, A. L., Pryer, K. M., Yatskievych, G., Huiet, R. L., Gastony, G. J., & Windham, M. D. (2013). Refining the phylogeny of cheilanthoid ferns: The resurrection and recircumscription of Myriopteris (Pteridaceae) (Submitted). Systematic Botany.
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  - Korall, P., & Pryer, K. M. (2013). Global biogeography of scaly tree ferns (Cyatheaceae): evidence for Gondwanan vicariance and limited transoceanic dispersal (Accepted). Journal of Biogeography, 40, inpress.
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  - León, B., Rothfels, C. J., Arakaki, M., Young, K. R., & Pryer, K. M. (2013). Revealing a cryptic fern distribution through DNA sequencing: Pityrogramma trifoliata in the Western Andes of Peru. American Fern Journal, 103(1), 40–48.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Larsson, A., Li, F., Sigel, E. M., Huiet, L., Burge, D. O., … Wong, G. K. (2013). Transcriptome-mining for single-copy nuclear markers in ferns. Plos One, 8(10), e76957.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2013). A plastid phylogeny of the cosmopolitan fern family Cystopteridaceae (Polypodiopsida). Systematic Botany, 38(2), 295–306.
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  - Beck, J. B., Allison, J. R., Pryer, K. M., & Windham, M. D. (2012). Identifying multiple origins of polyploid taxa: a multilocus study of the hybrid cloak fern (Astrolepis integerrima; Pteridaceae). American Journal of Botany, 99(11), 1857–1865. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1200199
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  - Johnson, A. K., Rothfels, C. J., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2012). Unique expression of a sporophytic character on the gametophytes of notholaenid ferns (Pteridaceae). American Journal of Botany, 99(6), 1118–1124. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1200049
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Larsson, A., Kuo, L.-Y., Korall, P., Chiou, W.-L., & Pryer, K. M. (2012). Overcoming deep roots, fast rates, and short internodes to resolve the ancient rapid radiation of eupolypod II ferns. Systematic Biology, 61(3), 490–509. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/sys001
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  - Li, F., Pryer, K. M., & Windham, M. D. (2012). Gaga, a new fern genus segregated from Cheilanthes (Pteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 37(4), 845–860.
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  - Pryer, K. M. (2012). The distinguished legacy of DMB: Donald MacPhail Britton (1923 - 2012). American Fern Journal, 102, inpress.
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  - Pryer, K. M. (2012). The Distinguished Legacy of DMB: Donald MacPhail Britton (1923–2012). American Fern Journal, 102(4), 241–251.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Sundue, M. A., Kato, M., Larsson, A., Kuo, L. Y., Schuettpelz, E., & Pryer, K. M. (2012). A revised classification for eupolypod II ferns (Polypodiales: Polypodiopsida). Taxon, 61, 515–533.
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  - Rothfels, C. J., Sundue, M. A., Kuo, L., Larsson, A., Kato, M., Schuettpelz, E., & Pryer, K. M. (2012). A revised family–level classification for eupolypod II ferns (Polypodiidae: Polypodiales). Taxon, 61(3), 515–533.
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  - Beck, J. B., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2011). Do asexual polyploid lineages lead short evolutionary lives? A case study from the fern genus Astrolepis. Evolution: International Journal of Organic Evolution, 65(11), 3217–3229.
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  - Li, F., Kuo, L., Rothfels, C. J., Ebihara, A., Chiou, W., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2011). rbcL and matK earn two thumbs up as the core DNA barcode for ferns. Plos One, 6(10), e26597.
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  - Sigel, E. M., Windham, M. D., Huiet, L., Yatskievych, G., & Pryer, K. M. (2011). Species relationships and farina evolution in the cheilanthoid fern genus Argyrochosma (Pteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 36(3), 554–564.
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  - Wolf, P. G., Der, J. P., Duffy, A. M., Davidson, J. B., Grusz, A. L., & Pryer, K. M. (2011). The evolution of chloroplast genes and genomes in ferns. Plant Molecular Biology, 76(3–5), 251–261.
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  - Pryer, K. M., Schuettpelz, E., Huiet, L., Grusz, A. L., Rothfels, C. J., Avent, T., … Windham, M. D. (2010). DNA barcoding exposes a case of mistaken identity in the fern horticultural trade. Molecular Ecology Resources, 10(6), 979–985. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02858.x
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  - Korall, P., Schuettpelz, E., & Pryer, K. M. (2010). Abrupt deceleration of molecular evolution linked to the origin of arborescence in ferns. Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution, 64(9), 2786–2792. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2010.01000.x
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  - Beck, J. A. M. E. S. B., Windham, M. I. C. H. A. E. L. D., Yatskievych, G. E. O. R. G. E., & Pryer, K. A. T. H. L. E. E. N. M. (2010). A Diploids-First Approach to Species Delimitation and Interpreting Polyploid Evolution in the Fern Genus Astrolepis (Pteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 35(2), 223–234. https://doi.org/10.1600/036364410791638388
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  - Windham, M. D., Huiet, L., Schuettpelz, E., Grusz, A. L., Rothfels, C., Beck, J., … Pryer, K. M. (2009). Using Plastid and Nuclear DNA Sequences to Redraw Generic Boundaries and Demystif Species Complexes in Cheilanthoid Ferns. American Fern Journal, 99(2), 128–132.
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  - Grusz, A. L., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2009). Deciphering the origins of apomictic polyploids in the Cheilanthes yavapensis complex (Pteridaceae). American Journal of Botany, 96(9), 1636–1645.
    Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., & Hearn, D. J. (2009). Evolution of leaf form in marsileaceous ferns: evidence for heterochrony. Evolution: International Journal of Organic Evolution, 63(2), 498–513.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schneider, H., Smith, A. R., & Pryer, K. M. (2009). Is morphology really at odds with molecules in estimating fern phylogeny? Systematic Botany, 34(3), 455–475.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schuettpelz, E., & Pryer, K. M. (2009). Evidence for a Cenozoic radiation of ferns in an angiosperm-dominated canopy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(27), 11200–11205.
    Open Access Copy
  - Christenhusz, M. J. M., Tuomisto, H., Metzgar, J. S., & Pryer, K. M. (2008). Evolutionary relationships within the Neotropical, eusporangiate fern genus Danaea (Marattiaceae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 46(1), 34–48.
    Open Access Copy
  - Hennequin, S., Schuettpelz, E., Pryer, K. M., Ebihara, A., & Dubuisson, J. (2008). Divergence times and the evolution of epiphytism in filmy ferns (Hymenophyllaceae) revisited. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 169(9), 1278–1287.
    Open Access Copy
  - Metzgar, J. S., Skog, J. E., Zimmer, E. A., & Pryer, K. M. (2008). The paraphyly of Osmunda is confirmed by phylogenetic analyses of seven plastid loci. Systematic Botany, 33(1), 31–36.
    Open Access Copy
  - Nagalingum, N. S., Nowak, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2008). Assessing phylogenetic relationships in extant heterosporous ferns (Salviniales), with a focus on Pilularia and Salvinia. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 157(4), 673–685.
    Open Access Copy
  - Rothfels, C. J., Windham, M. D., Grusz, A. L., Gastony, G. J., & Pryer, K. M. (2008). Toward a monophyletic Notholaena (Pteridaceae): Resolving patterns of evolutionary convergence in xeric‐adapted ferns. Taxon, 57(3), 712–724.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schuettpelz, E. R. I. C., & Pryer, K. A. T. H. L. E. E. N. M. (2008). Fern phylogeny. Biology and Evolution of Ferns and Lycophytes, 395, 416.
  - Schuettpelz, E., Grusz, A. L., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2008). The utility of nuclear gapCp in resolving polyploid fern origins. Systematic Botany, 33(4), 621–629.
    Open Access Copy
  - Haugen, P., Bhattacharya, D., Palmer, J. D., Turner, S., Lewis, L. A., & Pryer, K. M. (2007). Cyanobacterial ribosomal RNA genes with multiple, endonuclease-encoding group I introns. Bmc Evolutionary Biology, 7(1), 159.
    Open Access Copy
  - Korall, P., Conant, D. S., Metzgar, J. S., Schneider, H., & Pryer, K. M. (2007). A molecular phylogeny of scaly tree ferns (Cyatheaceae). American Journal of Botany, 94(5), 873–886.
    Open Access Copy
  - Metzgar, J. S., Schneider, H., & Pryer, K. M. (2007). Phylogeny and divergence time estimates for the fern genus Azolla (Salviniaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences, 168(7), 1045–1053.
    Open Access Copy
  - Nagalingum, N. S., Schneider, H., & Pryer, K. M. (2007). Molecular phylogenetic relationships and morphological evolution in the heterosporous fern genus Marsilea. Systematic Botany, 32(1), 16–25.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schuettpelz, E., & Pryer, K. M. (2007). Fern phylogeny inferred from 400 leptosporangiate species and three plastid genes. Taxon, 56(4), 1037–1050.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schuettpelz, E., Schneider, H., Huiet, L., Windham, M. D., & Pryer, K. M. (2007). A molecular phylogeny of the fern family Pteridaceae: assessing overall relationships and the affinities of previously unsampled genera. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 44(3), 1172–1185.
    Open Access Copy
  - Korall, P., Conant, D. S., Schneider, H., Ueda, K., Nishida, H., & Pryer, K. M. (2006). On the Phylogenetic Position of Cystodium It's Not a Tree Fern–It's a Polypod!. American Fern Journal, 96(2), 45–53.
    Open Access Copy
  - Korall, P., Pryer, K. M., Metzgar, J. S., Schneider, H., & Conant, D. S. (2006). Tree ferns: monophyletic groups and their relationships as revealed by four protein-coding plastid loci. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 39(3), 830–845.
    Open Access Copy
  - Nagalingum, N. S., Schneider, H., & Pryer, K. M. (2006). Comparative morphology of reproductive structures in heterosporous water ferns and a reevaluation of the sporocarp. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 167(4), 805–815.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schuettpelz, E., & Pryer, K. M. (2006). Reconciling extreme branch length differences: decoupling time and rate through the evolutionary history of filmy ferns. Systematic Biology, 55(3), 485–502.
    Open Access Copy
  - Schuettpelz, E., Korall, P., & Pryer, K. M. (2006). Plastid atpA data provide improved support for deep relationships among ferns. Taxon, 55(4), 897–906.
    Open Access Copy
  - Smith, A. R., Pryer, K. M., Schuettpelz, E., Korall, P., Schneider, H., & Wolf, P. G. (2006). A classification for extant ferns. Taxon, 55(3), 705–731.
    Open Access Copy
  - Wikström, N., & Pryer, K. M. (2005). Incongruence between primary sequence data and the distribution of a mitochondrial atp1 group II intron among ferns and horsetails. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 36(3), 484–493.
    Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Schuettpelz, E., Wolf, P. G., Schneider, H., Smith, A. R., & Cranfill, R. (2004). Phylogeny and evolution of ferns (monilophytes) with a focus on the early leptosporangiate divergences. American Journal of Botany, 91(10), 1582–1598. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.91.10.1582
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Schneider, H., Schuettpelz, E., Pryer, K. M., Cranfill, R., Magallón, S., & Lupia, R. (2004). Ferns diversified in the shadow of angiosperms. Nature, 428(6982), 553–557. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02361
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Des Marais, D. L., Smith, A. R., Britton, D. M., & Pryer, K. M. (2003). Phylogenetic relationships and evolution of extant Horsetails, Equisetum, based on chloroplast DNA sequence data (rbcL and trnL-F). International Journal of Plant Sciences, 164(5), 737–751. https://doi.org/10.1086/376817
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Dubuisson, J. Y., Hennequin, S., Douzery, E. J. P., Cranfill, R. B., Smith, A. R., & Pryer, K. M. (2003). rbcL phylogeny of the fern genus Trichomanes (Hymenophyllaceae), with special reference to neotropical taxa. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 164(5), 753–761. https://doi.org/10.1086/377059
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Schneider, H., Zimmer, E. A., & Ann Banks, J. (2002). Deciding among green plants for whole genome studies. Trends in Plant Science, 7(12), 550–554. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1360-1385(02)02375-0
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Schneider, H., & Pryer, K. M. (2002). Structure and function of spores in the aquatic heterosporous fern family Marsileaceae. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 163(4), 485–505. https://doi.org/10.1086/340736
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Smith, A. R., Tuomisto, H., Pryer, K. M., Hunt, J. S., & Wolf, P. G. (2001). Metaxya lanosa, a second species in the genus and fern family Metaxyaceae. Systematic Botany, 26(3), 480–486.
    Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Smith, A. R., Hunt, J. S., & Dubuisson, J. Y. (2001). rbcL data reveal two monophyletic groups of filmy ferns (Filicopsida: Hymenophyllaceae). American Journal of Botany, 88(6), 1118–1130. https://doi.org/10.2307/2657095
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Schneider, H., Smith, A. R., Cranfill, R., Wolf, P. G., Hunt, J. S., & Sipes, S. D. (2001). Horsetails and ferns are a monophyletic group and the closest living relatives to seed plants. Nature, 409(6820), 618–622. https://doi.org/10.1038/35054555
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Lupia, R., Schneider, H., Moeser, G. M., Pryer, K. M., & Crane, P. R. (2000). Marsileaceae sporocarps and spores from the late cretaceous of Georgia, U.S.A. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 161(6), 975–988. https://doi.org/10.1086/317567
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Schneider, H., Pryer, K. M., Smith, A. R., Wolf, P. G., & Cranfill, R. C. (2000). Phylogeny of vascular plants and the evolution of their body plans.
  - Pryer, K. M. (1999). Phylogeny of Marsileaceous Ferns and Relationships of the Fossil Hydropteris pinnata Reconsidered. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 160(5), 931–954. https://doi.org/10.1086/314177
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Turner, S., Pryer, K. M., Miao, V. P., & Palmer, J. D. (1999). Investigating deep phylogenetic relationships among cyanobacteria and plastids by small subunit rRNA sequence analysis. The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 46(4), 327–338. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.1999.tb04612.x
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Wolf, P. G., Sipes, S. D., White, M. R., Martines, M. L., Pryer, K. M., Smith, A. R., & Ueda, K. (1999). Phylogenetic relationships of the enigmatic fern families Hymenophyllopsidaceae and Lophosoriaceae: Evidence from rbcL nucleotide sequences. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 219(3–4), 263–270. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985583
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Hasebe, M., Wolf, P. G., Pryer, K. M., Ueda, K., Ito, M., Sano, R., … Hauk, W. D. (1995). Fern Phylogeny Based on rbcL Nucleotide Sequences. American Fern Journal, 85(4), 134–134. https://doi.org/10.2307/1547807
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Smith, A. R., & Skog, J. E. (1995). Phylogenetic Relationships of Extant Ferns Based on Evidence from Morphology and rbcL Sequences. American Fern Journal, 85(4), 205–205. https://doi.org/10.2307/1547810
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., & Haufler, C. H. (1993). Isozymic and chromosomal evidence for the allotetraploid origin of Gymnocarpium dryopteris (Dryopteridaceae). Systematic Botany, 18(1), 150–172. https://doi.org/10.2307/2419795
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  - Pryer, K. M. (1992). The status of Gymnocarpium heterosporum and Gymnocarpium robertianum in Pennsylvania. American Fern Journal, 82(1), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.2307/1547760
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  - Argus, G. W., & Pryer, K. M. (1990). Les plantes vasculaires rares du Canada(notre patrimoine naturel).
  - Argus, G. W., & Pryer, K. M. (1990). Les plantes vasculaires rares du Canada. Musée Canadien De La Nature, Ottawa, Ont.
  - Pryer, K. M. (1990). The limestone oak fern: new to the flora of Manitoba. Blue Jay, 48(4).
    Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., & Phillippe, L. R. (1989). A synopsis of the genus Sanicula (Apiaceae) in eastern Canada. Canadian Journal of Botany, 67(3), 694–707. https://doi.org/10.1139/b89-093
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - McNeill, J., & Pryer, K. M. (1985). THE STATUS AND TYPIFICATION OF PHEGOPTERIS AND GYMNOCARPIUM. Taxon, 34(1), 136–143. https://doi.org/10.2307/1221578
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Britton, D. M., & McNeill, J. (1983). A numerical analysis of chromatographic profiles in North American taxa of the fern genus Gymnocarpium. Canadian Journal of Botany, 61(10), 2592–2602. https://doi.org/10.1139/b83-285
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  - Pryer, K. M., & Britton, D. M. (1983). Spore studies in the genus Gymnocarpium. Canadian Journal of Botany, 61(2), 377–388. https://doi.org/10.1139/b83-045
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  - Argus, G. W., Pryer, K. M., White, D. J., & Keddy, C. J. (1982). 1987. Atlas of the Rare Vascular Plants of Ontario, 4.
  - Sarvela, J., Britton, D. M., & Pryer, K. (1981). Studies on the Gymnocarpium robertianum complex in North America. Rhodora, 421–431.
    Open Access Copy
  - Chase, R., Pryer, K., Baker, R., & Madison, D. (1978). Responses to conspecific chemical stimuli in the treatment snail Achatina fulica (Pulmonata: Sigmurethra). Behavioral Biology, 22(3), 302–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0091-6773(78)92366-0
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  - WOLF, P. G., PRYER, K. M., UEDA, K., SAND, R., MIJRAKAMIZ, N., CRANE, E. H., … HAUK, W. D. (n.d.). Fern Phylogeny Based on rbcL Nucleotide.
    Open Access Copy
- Book Sections
  - Schuettpelz, E., & Pryer, K. M. (2008). Fern phylogeny. In Biology and Evolution of Ferns and Lycophytes (pp. 395–416). https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511541827.016
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Smith, A. R., Pryer, K. A. T. H. L. E. E. N. M., Schuettpelz, E. R. I. C., Korall, P., Schneider, H. A. R. A. L. D., & Wolf, P. G. (2008). Fern classification (pp. 417–467).
    Open Access Copy
  - Pryer, K. M., Schneider, H., & Magallón, S. (2004). The radiation of vascular plants (pp. 138–153). Oxford University Press New York.
  - Schneider, H., Pryer, K. M., Cranfill, R., Smith, A. R., & Wolf, P. G. (2002). Evolution of vascular plant body plans: a phylogenetic perspective (pp. 330–364). Taylor and Francis London.
    Open Access Copy
  - Wolf, P. G., Pryer, K. M., Smith, A. R., & Hasebe, M. (1998). Phylogenetic studies of extant pteridophytes. In Molecular systematics of plants II (pp. 541–556). Springer, Boston, MA.
- Digital Publications
  - Pryer, K. M., & Smith, A. R. (1998). Leptosporangiate ferns.
  - Kathleen Pryer, K. P. (n.d.). Azolla, a little fern with massive green potential. Experiment. https://doi.org/10.18258/2619
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- Conference Papers
  - Larsson, A., Rothfels, C. J., Kuo, L. Y., Shuettpelz, E., Pryer, K., & Korall, P. (2010). Var hör hällebräken, ekbräken och svartbräknar hemma?-Äntligen en fylogeni över Eupolypods II. In Systematikdagarna, Göteborg, 22 23 November, 2010.
  - LUPIA, R., NOWAK, M., SCHNEIDER, H., NAGALINGUM, N., & PRYER, K. (2004). HETEROSPOROUS FERNS: PHYLOGENY, ORIGIN AND RADIATION. In 2004 Denver Annual Meeting.
  - Pryer, K. M., Schuettpelz, E., Cranfill, R. C., Wolf, P. G., Smith, A. R., & Schneider, H. (2003). Phylogeny of Early-Diverging Leptosporangiate Ferns Based on Morphology and Multiple Genes: rbcL, atpB, rps4, and 18S.
  - Pryer, K. M., Schneider, H., Smith, A. R., & Wolf, P. G. (2001). The Closest Living Relative to Seed Plants: Insights from Four Genes and Morphology.
  - Hunt, J. S., Pryer, K. M., Vaghani, A., Smith, A. R., & Wolf, P. G. (1999). Fern DNA Database: Using Filemaker Pro to Coordinate DNA-Availability, DNA-Sequence Data, Vaoucher and Source Information for Large-Scale and Collaborative Phylogeny Studies.
  - Pryer, K. M., Schneider, H., Hunt, J. S., Wolf, P. G., & Smith, A. R. (1999). Basal Tracheophytes and the Phylogeny of" Pteridophyte" Lineages.
  - Pryer, K. M., & Windham, M. D. (1988). A re-examination of Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newman in North America. In Amer. J. Bot (Vol. 75, p. 142).
  - PRYER, K., ARGUS, G., & HABER, E. (1986). THE CANADIAN RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANTS PROJECT-A BAKERS DECADE LATER. In American Journal of Botany (Vol. 73, pp. 781–782). BOTANICAL SOC AMER INC OHIO STATE UNIV-DEPT BOTANY 1735 NEIL AVE, COLUMBUS ….
  - Fauskee, B., Sigel, E., Schuettpelz, E., Pryer, K., & Grusz, A. (n.d.). "Could RNA editing explain phylogenetic rate heterogeneity in seed-free land plants? ". Presented at the Botany 2019, Tucson, AZ.
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- Theses and Dissertations
  - Pryer, K. M. (1997). Phylogenetic relationships of extant ferns, with a special emphasis on the Marsileaceae.
Teaching & Mentoring
Recent Courses
- BIOLOGY 158: Plants and Human Use 2021
- BIOLOGY 293: Research Independent Study 2021
- BIOLOGY 493: Research Independent Study 2021
- BIOLOGY 792: Research 2021
- BIOLOGY 158: Plants and Human Use 2020
- BIOLOGY 293: Research Independent Study 2020
- BIOLOGY 347L: Plants and People 2020
- BIOLOGY 493: Research Independent Study 2020
- BIOLOGY 791T: Tutorial 2020
- BIOLOGY 792: Research 2020
- BIOLOGY 158: Plants and Human Use 2019
- BIOLOGY 347L: Plants and People 2019
- BIOLOGY 493: Research Independent Study 2019
- BIOLOGY 791T: Tutorial 2019
- BIOLOGY 792: Research 2019
- HOUSECS 59: House Course 2019
Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
Presentations & Appearances
Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
Service to the Profession
- President. American Fern Society. 2012 - 2014 2012 - 2014
- President. American Society of Plant Taxonomists. 2012 - 2013 2012 - 2013
- Council Member, International Association of Plant Taxonomists (IAPT). 2011 - 2017 2011 - 2017
- Associate Editor : Annals of Botany. 2010 2010
- Associate Editor : Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 2010 2010
Service to Duke

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Service to Duke