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Abstract Detail



Recent Topics Posters

Landis, Jacob [1], Hernandez, Margarita [2], Soltis, Douglas [3], Soltis, Pamela [4].

Floral and pollinator evolution in light of a near-complete phylogeny for Polemoniaceae.

The wide diversity of floral variation results in part from pollinator-mediated selection. Flowers are often characterized by a given suite of traits, historically coined pollinator syndromes, which are associated with certain types of pollinators.  These traits can include characters such as flower size, color, and overall morphology. Although a correlation between certain floral characters and specific pollinators is still debated, it is clear that understanding morphological traits, such as flower color and size, and their association with pollinators will deepen our understanding of the biology of specific interactions and will ultimately contribute to a refined view of pollinator syndromes. Furthermore, a strong phylogenetic framework will provide a solid foundation on which to map floral characteristics and establish relationships between morphological adaptations and genetic mechanisms. Here we present a new phylogenetic analysis of Polemoniaceae, with samples from 92% of the nearly 400 species.  Using this phylogeny, we evaluate the evolution of flower color and flower size in the context of known pollinators. Analyses suggest over 40 transitions in flower color, with both color gains and losses observed.  Flower size (length and width) was measured from herbarium specimens, with several accessions used per taxon when available.  Analyses were conducted using continuous data, as well as binning into discrete groups.  Many transitions result, with overall flower size increasing and decreasing in certain genera.  Further analyses are needed to investigate the role that flower size plays in attracting specific pollinators.  This project lays the foundation for ongoing projects on the genetic mechanisms involved in the evolution of flower color and flower size in the Polemoniaceae.  

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1 - University of Florida, Dept of Biology, 1659 Museum Road, Florida Museum of Natural History - Dickinson Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
2 - Florida Museum of Natural History, Dickinson Hall, University Of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
3 - University of Florida, Biology and Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL, 32605, USA
4 - University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, PO BOX 117800, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7800, USA

Keywords:
Polemoniaceae
flower color
corolla size
plant-pollinator interactions.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT016
Abstract ID:1305
Candidate for Awards:None


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