Abstract Detail

Hybrids and Hybridization

Goodrich, Katherine [1], Raguso, Robert A. [2].

Hybrid floral phenotypes in Asimina.

Patterns of correlated floral traits and variation in these patterns between closely related angiosperm taxa cannot be overlooked when addressing gene flow and species boundaries. Recent work has described "modular" phenotypic (and underlying genetic) inheritance of suites of floral traits, which may allow inheritance of functional units of floral phenotype related to pollinator attraction or pollinator manipulation at the flower, ensuring accurate pollen transfer. Most of this work explores well-known model systems such as Antirrhinum or Nicotiana. We are interested in patterns of floral trait inheritance in the early Angiosperm genus Asimina (Annonaceae) in North America. Natural putative hybrids (based on intermediate floral and vegetative phenotype) are occasionally observed between Asimina species which overlap geographically. Here we present floral phenotype data (floral scent, morphology and color) for putative A. triloba X A. parviflora natural populations in SC and GA, and floral phenotype data from known artificial hybrid crosses (A. triloba X A. incana; F1 and F2 generations) growing near Harper's Ferry, WV. We use multivariate descriptive statistics to identify several factors and associated floral trait variables which explain a significant portion of character state variation between species and putative or known hybrid populations. Understanding patterns of floral trait inheritance in Asimina will provide a framework for future studies of gene flow and species boundaries in natural Asimina populations which increasingly overlap due to habitat loss and disturbance. Furthermore, this work adds to the increasing understanding of floral phenotype variation and speciation of early Angiosperms.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Widener University, Department of Biological Sciences, Kirkbride Hall, 1 University Place, Chester, PA, 19013, USA
2 - Cornell University, Neurobiology and Behavior, W355 Mudd Hall, 215 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

Keywords:
floral phenotype
floral scent
floral evolution
floral morphology.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PHB002
Abstract ID:636
Candidate for Awards:None