Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Zhang, Jingbo [1], Zhang, Wenheng [1].

Floral symmetry evolution in Solanaceae.

Although Solanaceae are viewed as a family with dominantly actinomorphic flowered species, floral zygomorphy is common in the basal clades. Taxonomic studies revealed a wide range of morphological diversity in floral zygomorphy in the family. Floral zygomorphy can occur in corolla and androecium in concert, but frequently only occur in androecium in many solanaceous genera. In androecium, there are a bewildering variety of alterations in stamen fertility and filament length along the plane of floral symmetry. A unique 36-degree oblique plane of floral symmetry unites all of these diverse floral zygomorphy in Solanaceae. We investigated the evolution of floral symmetry in Solanaceae to test the hypothesis that floral zygomorphy evolved independently in the corolla and androecium. We carried out tests on a genus-level phylogeny including 97 genera of Solanaceae and 8 genera from closely related outgroups. Character evolution of floral symmetry in the corolla and androecium were analyzed separately. The findings indicate that floral zygomorphy in the androecium is more frequent than in the corolla (41 versus 23 genera). The results of ancestral state reconstruction suggest the recent common ancestor of Solanaceae likely had a zygomorphic androecium, but an actinomorphic corolla. Zygomorphic corollas in Solanaceae are due to independent gains. Floral zygomorphy is also observed in the sister clade, Humbertia madagascariensis Lam. (Convolvulaceae), which establishes floral zygomorphy through a mechanism different from Solanaceae. The 36-degree oblique plane of floral symmetry likely originated in the common ancestor of Solanaceae. The correlation analyses indicated that floral zygomorphy in the corolla is correlated with floral zygomorphy in the androecium, suggesting that floral zygomorphy in the androecium may play a role as a precursor for the evolution of floral zygomorphy in the corolla in Solanaceae. The findings imply that evolution of floral zygomorphy in Solanaceae is unique in both floral development and evolutionary processes.

1 - Virginia Commonwealth University, Biology, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA

Keywords:
ancestral state reconstruction
Androecium
Corolla
Correlated evolution
Developmental mechanism
floral symmetry
morphology
phylogeny
Solanaceae.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo) Special Topic:Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEV003
Abstract ID:479
Candidate for Awards:None