Abstract Detail

Phylogenomics

Hancock, Lillian Pine [1], Moore, Abigail [2], Holtum, Joseph [3], Edwards, Erika [4].

Phylogeny and evolution of Australian Calandrinia (Montiaceae): a CAM-evolving, succulent plant lineage from Australia, and the coolest plant radiation you’ve never heard of.

Australia is the driest vegetated continent and yet it harbors no native, large stem-succulents, and only 0.6% of the plants are known to use CAM photosynthesis. The most speciose succulent, CAM-evolving group in Australia is Calandrinia. These small, succulent herbs display broad variation in habitat, growth form, vegetative morphology, flower number and architecture, life history strategies, and photosynthesis (C3 to CAM). Calandrinia s.l. is placed within the Montiaceae, which in turn is sister to the rest of the Portulacineae (Caryophyllales). Biogeographically, it includes two disjunct radiations, one in the Americas, Calandrinia s.s., with about 14 species, and one in Australia: Parakeelya, or Australian Calandrinia, with about 70 species. Past analyses of the Montiaceae presented conflicting hypotheses for the phylogenetic placement and monophyly of Calandrinia. Using targeted gene enrichment, we sequenced 100’s of full length loci from multiple gene families of interest, from a nearly complete sampling of Australian Calandrinia and other Portulacineae. With these data we assess the relationship between new world and old world Calandrinia and estimate the first phylogeny for Australian Calandrinia. We explore the biogeographic history and rapid radiation of Australian Calandrinia and the evolution of character traits (i.e. photosynthesis, succulence, life history, environmental niche) within this remarkable lineage.

1 - Brown University, EEB, 80 Waterman Street, Box G-W, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
2 - Brown University, 80 Waterman St., Box G-W, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, United States
3 - James Cook University, School Of Marine And Tropical Biology, Douglas, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
4 - Brown University, Box G-W, 80 Waterman St, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

Keywords:
phylogenetics
CAM photosynthesis
Succulence
Montiaceae
Australia.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 16, Phylogenomics II
Location: 202/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 16010
Abstract ID:623
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award