Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Hao-Chun, Hsu [1], Wen-Chieh, Chou [1], Yan-Fu, Kuo [1].

Understanding the Floral Shape Integration and Modularity in Sinningia: Using a 3D Geometric Morphometric Approach.

Animal-pollinated flowers are thought to develop a specific floral shape for physically restricting the pollinator visiting. The floral shapes exhibit diversity in corolla lobes and corolla tubes. Revealing the integration and modularity between these two compartments is important for understanding the floral shape diversification. This study demonstrates a three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometric (GM) approach to examine the patterns of floral shape integration and modularity in Sinningia, a genus of highly diverse flowers. In the process, the technique of micro-computed tomography was used to capture 3D images from the flower specimens, and a series of GM analyses was performed to quantify the floral shape variation. Subsequently, the covariation between lobes and tubes was tested against the null hypothesis of two compartments being independent as a developmental modularity. The patterns of floral shape variation shows that the changes of lobes and tubes were co-exist in each independent variables. High and significant covariation between the lobes and tubes clearly indicates that two compartments develop integratedly rather than modularly. In conclusion, present study successfully applied a 3D-GM approach to quantify the floral shape variation, and verified the morphological integration between lobes and tubes in Sinningia flowers.

1 - National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan, 8862, 台灣

Keywords:
Floral shape variation
Geometric morphometrics
Integration
Micro-computed tomography
Modularity
Sinningia
Three-dimensional image.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 2, Evolution and Development
Location: 200/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: 2009
Abstract ID:328
Candidate for Awards:Katherine Esau Award