Plant Biology Colloquium | The evolution of flower traits in Salpichroa (Solanaceae) and its relationship with contrasting pollination modes, April 7

The Environmental and Plant Biology  Colloquium Series features Dr. Ana Ibañez of the Schenk Lab discussing “The evolution of flower traits in Salpichroa (Solanaceae) and its relationship with contrasting pollination modes” on Friday, April 7, at 11:50 am in Porter Hall, Room 104.

Abstract: Flower diversity in Angiosperms is commonly interpreted as a result of selection by pollinating animals. Changes in flower phenotype within a plant lineage may provide strong evidence of adaptive divergence mediated by different pollinator agents. We tested this hypothesis in Salpichroa Miers. This genus, mainly distributed above 2000 m in the Andes of South America, comprises 22 shrubby or scandent species showing remarkable floral phenotype variation. We asked whether the inter-specific floral variation was associated with changes in pollination mode. We identified pollinators in natural populations, quantified floral traits relevant to pollination (color as perceived by pollinators, morphology, size, fragrance, and nectar), undertook phylogenetic analyses and molecular dating, performed ancestral reconstructions and comparative analyses. Our results suggest that changes in pollination mode played a major, though not exclusive role, in the remarkable floral diversification of the genus Salpichroa . 

Host: Dr. John Schenk