Development of a new variety: the Husky tomato
We are 4 years and 5 generations in to developing a black and red Husky tomato to represent SCSU and our community, in collaboration with the SCSU Community Garden
Years 1 & 2
Years 3 & 4
Initial field trials
Initiated by Sam Hennemann in winter of 2022-2023, the Husky Tomato project began with growing several varieties of heirloom tomatoes in the biology greenhouses.
Our initial crosses led to more crosses, including crosses between crosses... the parents of our new variety will include genetics from at least 4 and up to 7 different tomato cultivars! Preliminary data have been presented at a national conference and at the campus research colloquium.
Analyses of our current tomato data has led us to select six different seed lots to grow in a field trial. Summer of 2026 marks an important moment in development of the variety! We'll test the seed lots outside, measure fruit traits, and plan which seed lots to move forward in variety selection and stabilization. At least 15 students have been involved in the project to date and our work has been highlighted by several media outlets!
Read and listen to more: here, here, and here
You can listen to an interview with Zay Ruppert on KVSC's untold stories!
Hawaiian Schiedea evolution & phylogenomics
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The Hawaiian endemic genus, Schiedea (Caryophyllaceae, the carnation family) is one of the most diverse adaptive radiations and most highly endangered plant groups in Hawai'i. We are part of a collaborative effort to reconstruct species-level phylogeny of this lineage using a custom-designed probe set. Schiedea species include spectacular variation in pollination and breeding systems.
Phylogeny & evolution of American milkweed vines
We use phylogenomic approaches to understand milkweed vine evolution; particularly in the subtribe Gonolobinae, or the American milkweed vines. Many species are rare; we use molecular data to develop conservation priorities, delimit species, and estimate evolutionary processes over time.
Some relevant publications:
McDonnell, A., Parks, M., & Fishbein, M. (2018). Multilocus Phylogenetics of New World Milkweed Vines (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Gonolobinae). Systematic Botany, 43(1), 77-96. Link.
McDonnell, A. & Fishbein, M. (2016). Matelea hirtelliflora (Apocynaceae), a new species of milkweed vine from Northeast Texas. Systematic Botany. 21(3). 781-786. Link.
McDonnell, A. & Fishbein, M. (2016). Polystemma canisferum (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae): a distinctive new gonoloboid milkweed vine from Sonora, Mexico. Phytotaxa, 246(1). 78-84. Link.
McDonnell, A., M. Fishbein, M. Quinn, T. Hare, and K. Keith. (2015) Matelea chihuahuensis (Apocynaceae): An addition to the flora of the United States and a synopsis of the species. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 9(1), 187-194. Link.
McDonnell, A. 2014. Non-twining milkweed vines of Oklahoma: an overview of Matelea biflora and Matelea cynanchoides (Apocynaceae). Oklahoma Native Plant Record, 1:67-79. Link.
Phylogenomics & population biology of Angiosperms
We are generally interested in understanding broader patterns in plant speciation and putting diversity into an evolutionary context. This sort of work illuminates processes of hybridization, the spread and evolution of key innovations, reproductive isolation, and other facets of biology critical to conservation and other biodiversity studies. Ongoing collaborations include Australian eggplant relatives in the genus Solanum.
Some relevant publications:
Zuntini, A. R., Carruthers, T., Maurin, O., Bailey, P. C., Leempoel, K., Brewer, G. E., many others including McDonnell, A.J.... & Baker, W.J. (2024). Phylogenomics and the rise of the angiosperms. Nature. Link.
Cooper, B. J., Moore, M. J., Douglas, N. A., Wagner, W. L., Johnson, M. G., Overson, R. P., Kinosian, S.P., McDonnell, A.J.,... & Wickett, N. J. (2023). Target enrichment and extensive population sampling help untangle the recent, rapid radiation of Oenothera sect. Calylophus. Systematic Biology. Link.
Gagnon, E., Hilgenhof, R., Orejuela, A., McDonnell, A., Sablok, G., Aubriot, X... & Särkinen, T. (2022). Phylogenomic discordance suggests polytomies along the backbone of the large genus Solanum. American Journal of Botany. Link.
Wenzell, K. E., McDonnell, A. J., Wickett, N. J., Fant, J. B., & Skogen, K. A. (2021). Incomplete reproductive isolation and low genetic differentiation despite floral divergence across varying geographic scales in Castilleja. American Journal of Botany. Link.
McDonnell, A., Moore, C.L., Schuette, S., and Martine, C. (2021) Population genomics and conservation of Erigenia bulbosa (Apiaceae), an edge-of-range species in Pennsylvania. International Journal of Plant Sciences. Link.
Cantley, J. T., McDonnell, A. J., Branson, J., Kobara, J., Long, S. R., Garnett, W., & Martine, C. T. (2020). Temperate Eurasian origins of Hawaiian Chenopodium (Amaranthaceae), plus description of a new subspecies endemic to Moloka ‘i. Systematic Botany. Link
Martine, C., Jordon-Thaden, I., McDonnell, A., Cantley, J., Hayes, D., Roche, M., Frawley, E., Gilman, I., and Tank, D. (2019) Phylogeny of the Australian Solanum dioicum group using seven nuclear genes, with consideration of Symon’s fruit and seed dispersal hypotheses. PLoS ONE. Link.
Population genomics and conservation
We use genomics to better understand structure and gene flow within and among populations of rare and/or declining species to better inform conservation and management decisions as a collaborative effort with botanists and conservation practitioners.
Some relevant publications:
Moore, C. L., McDonnell, A. J., Schuette, S., & Martine, C. T. 2025. Genomic structure among populations of a regionally rare perennial plant indicates the need for reevaluation of management units. Natural Areas Journal, 45(2). Link.
McDonnell, A., Moore, C., Schuette, S., and Martine, C. 2021. Population genomics of Erigenia bulbosa (Apiaceae), a rare plant in Pennsylvania. International Journal of Plant Sciences 182(5). Link.
Moore, C., McDonnell, A., Schuette, S., and Martine, C. 2021. Lepidopteran granivore reduces seed counts in a rare species of riparian scour prairies. Natural Areas Journal 41(1). Link.