Dr. Christopher H. Haufler

Dr. Christopher Haufler
  • Professor Emeritus

Contact Info

5026 Haworth Hall

Research —

My research considers the patterns and processes of speciation in ferns through analysis of phylogeny, breeding systems, population biology, and ecology.  I collaborate with others to continue these investigations. I am also interested in the impact that polyploidy has had on fern genomes and studying how the genetic systems of ferns have been influenced by their polyploid ancestry.

Selected Publications —

  • Mendez-Reneau, J., C. H. Haufler, and E. M. Sigel.  2026.  What is Polypodium vulgare? Discerning disparate origins of an iconic fern in Europe and Asia.  Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society:boaf115, https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boaf115.
  • Windham, M., L. Huiet, J. S. Metzgar, T. A. Ranker, G. A. Yatskievych, C. H. Haufler, and K. M. Pryer.  2022.  Once more unto the breach, dear friends: Resolving the origins and relationships of the Pellaea wrightiana hybrid complex.  American Journal of Botany (in press).
  • Grusz, A. L., M. D. Windham, K. T. Picard, K. M. Pryer, E. Schuettpelz, and C. H. Haufler.  2021.  A drought-driven model for the evolution of obligate apomixis in ferns: Evidence from pellaeids (Pteridaceae).  American Journal of Botany 108: 263-283.
  • Haufler, C. H.  2021.  The American Fern Journal: A look back.  American Fern Journal 111: 1-5.
  • Haufler, Christopher. “A Community-Derived Classification for Extant Lycophytes and Ferns.” Journal Articles. Journal of Systematics and Evolution 54, no. 6 (November 2016): 563–603.
  • Haufler, C. H., K. M. Pryer, E. Schuettpelz, E.  B. Sessa, D.  R. Farrar, R. Moran, J.  J. Schneller, J.  E. Watkins, and M.  D. Windham. “Sex and the Single Gametophyte: Revising the Homosporous Vascular Plant Life Cycle in Light of Contemporary Research.” Journal Articles. Bioscience 66 (August 2016): 928–37.
  • Haufler, C. H. “Ever Since Klekowski: Testing a Set of Radical Hypotheses Revives the Genetics of Ferns and Lycophytes.” Journal Articles. American Journal of Botany 101 (November 2014): 2036–2042.
  • Sigel, E M, A K Johnson, and C H Haufler. “A First Record of Polypodium Saximontanum for the Flora of Montana.” Journal Articles. American Fern Journal 104 (2014): 22–23.
  • Sigel, E M, M D Windham, C H Haufler, and K M Pryer. “Phylogeny, Divergence Time Estimates, and Phylogeography of the Diploid Species of the Polypodium Vulgare Complex.” Journal Articles. Systematic Botany 39 (2014): 1042–1055.
  • Arrigo, N, J Therrien, C L Anderson, M D Windham, C H Haufler, and M S Barker. “A Total Evidence Approach to Understanding Phylogenetic Relationships and Ecological Diversity in Selaginella Subg. Tetragonostachys.” Journal Articles. American Journal of Botany 100, no. 8 (July 1, 2013): 1672–82.
  • Haufler, C. H., and Z. Wang. “Cystopteris.” Book Chapters. In Flora of China , edited by Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2–3:261–66. St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press, 2013.
  • Haufler, C. H., and L. Shugang. “Polypodium.” Book Chapters. In Flora of China , edited by Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2–3:838–39. St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press, 2013.
  • Hemingway, C., W. Dahl, C. H. Haufler, and C. Stuessy. “Building Botanical Literacy.” Journal Articles. Science, 2011, 1535–36.
  • Stein, D. B., C. Hutton, D. S. Contant, C. H. Haufler, and C. R. Werth. “Reconstructing Dryopteris Semicristata (Dryopteridaceae): Molecular Profiles of Tetraploids Verify Their Undiscovered Diploid Ancestor.” Journal Articles. American Journal of Botany 97 (2010): 998–1004.
  • Haufler, C. H. “Gels and Genetics: The Historical Impact of Isozymes on Paradigm Shifts in Hypotheses about Fern Evolutionary Biology.” Journal Articles. American Fern Journal 99 (2009): 125–28.
  • Haufler, C. H., and M. Sundberg. “Symposium on Scientific Literacy: Introduction.” Journal Articles. American Journal of Botany 96 (2009): 1751–52.
  • Ranker, T. A., and C. H. Haufler, eds. The Biology and Evolution of Ferns and Lycophytes. Books. Cambridge University Press, 2008.
  • Haufler, C. H. “Genetics, Phylogenetics, and Biogeography: Considering How Shifting Paradigms and Continents Influence Fern Diversity.” Journal Articles. Brittonia 59 (2007): 108–14.
  • Smith, A. R., H-P. Kreier, H. Schneider, C. H. Haufler, and T. A. Ranker. “Serpocaulon (Polypodiaceae), a New Genus Segregated from Old Polypodium.” Journal Articles. Taxon 55 (2006): 919–30.
  • Sciarretta, K. L., E. P. Arbuckle, C. R. Werth, and C. H. Haufler. “Patterns of Genetic Variation in Southern Appalachian Populations of Athyrium Filix-Femina Var. Asplenioides (Dryopteridaceae).” Journal Articles. International Journal of Plant Science 166 (2005): 761–80.
  • Haufler, C. H., A. R. Smith, T. A. Ranker, and H. Schneider. “A Tale of Two Mechanisms: Discovering How Dispersal and Vicariance Contributed to the Pattern of Species Diversity in the ‘Polygrams.’” Abstracts. Abstract of Presentation at Botanical Society of American Meeting, 2004.
  • Schneider, H., T. Janssen, P. Hovenkamp, A. R. Smith, C. H. Haufler, and T. Ranker. “Phylogenetic Relationships of the Enigmatic Malesian Fern Thylacopteris (Polypodiaceae, Polypodiidae).” Journal Articles. International Journal of Plant Science 165 (2004): 1077–1108.
  • Ranker, T. A., A. R. Smith, C. H. Haufler, and H. Schneider. “Phylogeny and Evolution of Grammitid Ferns (Grammitidaceae): A Case of Rampant Morphological Homoplasy.” Journal Articles. Taxon 53 (2004): 415–28.
  • Schneider, H., A. R. Smith, R. Cranfill, T. J. Hildebrand, C. H. Haufler, and T. A. Ranker. “Unraveling the Phylogeny of Polygrammoid Ferns (Polypodiaceae & Grammitidaceae): Exploring Aspects of the Diversification of Epiphytic Plants.” Journal Articles. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31 (2004): 1041–63.