| Abstract Detail
Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo) Powers, Beck [1], Preston, Jill [2]. Evolution of asterid HANABA TARANU-like genes and their role in petal fusion. Petal fusion, or sympetaly, is a morphological novelty associated with adaptive radiation in the asterid clade of angiosperms. The fusion of petals plays a critical role in architectural stability, size, and symmetry of flowers and contributes to the diversification of corolla length and form. This predicted synapomorphy is also thought to play an important role in the specialization of plant-pollinator interactions, contributing to pollinator-driven speciation in the asterids. Critical to our understanding of the evolution of sympetaly in the asterids is the developmental processes that precede the ultimate phenotype seen in mature flowers. Our research aims to elucidate some of the genetic components governing the development of sympetaly through a candidate-gene approach. Specifically, we are using qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization to investigate the expression pattern of a highly conserved GATA transcription factor, HANABA TARANU (HAN), across representative eudicot taxa. In Arabidopsis thaliana, HAN is known to be involved in organ boundary establishment. Thus, by comparing spatio-temporal patterns of expression in species with and without fused petals, we can infer the likelihood that HAN plays a role in petal fusion.
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Related Links:
Preston Lab Homepage
1 - University of Vermont, Plant Biology, 63 Carrigan Dr., Jeffords 111, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
2 - University of Vermont, 63 Carrigan Drive, Jeffords Hall, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
Keywords:
Evo-devo
HAN
sympetaly.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEV001
Abstract ID:264
Candidate for Awards:Katherine Esau Award |
