Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Hernandez, Margarita [1], Landis, Jacob [2], Soltis, Douglas E. [3], SOLTIS, PAMELA S. [4].

Leptosiphon and flower color: investigating color acquisition in Polemoniaceae using phylogenetics.

Transitions in flower color are asymmetric over evolutionary time, with some transitions more favorable than others. Several selective pressures and mechanisms involving pollinators often drive these color changes, while other forces such as genetic drift and pleiotropic effects may drive others. In this project, we investigated transitions in flower color in Leptosiphon (Polemoniaceae). Leptosiphon comprises 38 species and has a center of distribution in California. Based on our initial analyses, it appears that flower color (blue/purple, pink, and yellow) has been gained in many independent transitions from a white-flowered ancestor. A well-supported species-level phylogeny will allow for better mapping of floral characteristics. To refine phylogenetic relationships, plant material was obtained from field, herbaria, and greenhouse collections for 197 accessions, representing all 38 species, plus Phlox as an outgroup. We selected 96 samples, including all species and each color morph. For a targeted gene capture protocol using MYbaits, a procedure that allows custom design of baits.  Probe sequences were created through a reciprocal blast using four transcriptomes (two species of Phlox, Fouqueria macdouglaii, and Ternstroemia gymanthera) and the Arabidopsis genome. Probes for one hundred markers were created, those with large introns discarded before probe design. After gene capture, samples were multiplexed and sequenced with Illumina. Reads were assembled, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted on concatenated and individual gene data sets. The resolved phylogeny will be used to determine the number of transitions in flower color in Leptosiphon and the directions in which these changes have occurred.

1 - Florida Museum Of Natural History, Dickinson Hall, University Of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
2 - University Of Florida, Dept Of Biology, Florida Museum Of Natural History - Dickinson Hall, Museum Road And Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
3 - University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, PO Box 117800, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
4 - University Of Florida, Florida Museum Of Natural History, PO BOX 117800, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7800, USA, 352/273-1964

Keywords:
Polemoniaceae
flower color
phylogenetics.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEV005
Abstract ID:441
Candidate for Awards:None