Abstract Detail

Teaching

Benedict, John C. [1], Smith, Selena [2], Specht, Chelsea [3].

Using X-ray tomographic data to teach seed morphology, phylogenetics, and dichotomous keys.

X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT, or Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography) provides high resolution three-dimensional (3-D) datasets that are useful in a multitude of botanical studies including plant development, morphoanatomy, and phylogenetics. These 3-D datasets are invaluable sources of information for scientific research, but have rarely been applied as teaching tools in the classroom. Using our published data on Zingiberales seeds we have created an interactive lesson that will introduce students to seed morphology using 3-D printable digital dissections of various seeds from the eight families in Zingiberales. Zingiberales seeds are particularly useful for teaching seed structure since they possess some of the most morphologically diverse seeds in angiosperms and have numerous characters that vary widely in the families (e.g., operculum, aril, endosperm, perisperm). These data can be printed on any 3-D printer, which are becoming more common in both academic settings and commercial enterprises. With these data, students will be able to physically handle parts of the seed too minute to touch and observe in detail with the naked eye (e.g., opercula) – microscopic features that are 3-D printed at sizes hundreds of times larger than their natural size. These models will complement traditional anatomy and morphology labs, which often lack detailed models of seeds. In the exercise, students will learn key terms of seed morphoanatomy, construct a simple parsimony phylogeny using those characters, and build a dichotomous key. These activities are amenable to introductory courses, courses in systematics, regional floras, and even economic botany or ethnobotany courses wishing to show the economically important parts of seeds.

1 - University Of Michigan, School Of Life Sciences, 2543 C.C. Little Building, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1005, USA
2 - University of Michigan, Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2534 CC Little Bldg, 1100 N University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1005, United States
3 - University Of California Berkeley, 111 Koshland Hall, MC 3102, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

Keywords:
Cannaceae
Costaceae
Heliconiaceae
Lowiaceae
Marantaceae
Musaceae
Strelitziaceae
Zingiberaceae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 18, Teaching Section Papers Session I
Location: 101/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 10:45 AM
Number: 18011
Abstract ID:868
Candidate for Awards:None