Abstract Detail

Systematics

Howard, Cody [1], Crowl, Andrew [2], Zuntini, Alexandre R. [3], Malakasi, Penny [3], Baker, William J. [4], Cellinese, Nico [5].

The Evolutionary History of the Ledebouriinae (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae).

Geophytes, terrestrial plants with an underground perennating organ, commonly in the form of a bulb, corm, tuber or rhizome, occupy a variety of habitats, particularly those that experience seasonal periods of freezing temperatures, drought and/or fire. Such habitats, particularly arid to semi-arid habitats, harbor a high amount of biodiversity despite originating relatively recently. Numerous plants adapted to such conditions, especially geophytic groups, remain poorly understood and the true diversity of many remains unknown; therefore, inhibiting our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics in seasonal ecosystems. The Ledebouriinae (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae) make for an ideal clade for investigating broad evolutionary processes that have influenced the diversification of the African flora in these seasonal habitats. Unfortunately, due to low taxon sampling and the use of slowly evolving molecular markers, previous phylogenetic studies have failed to provide resolution within the clade, therefore, limiting our ability to confidently clarify the historical evolution of theLedebouriinae. Here, we produce a phylogenomic dataset using the recently developed targeted-enrichment Angiosperm353 probe set in order to improve our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within the Ledebouriinae and test hypotheses related to their evolution. The objectives of our study are: 1) test whether Ledebouria, Resnova and Drimiopsis are distinct evolutionary lineages within the Ledebouriinae, 2) investigate putative instances of hybridization within the group, and 3) detail the geographic origin and subsequent dispersal of the Ledebouriinae within and out of Africa.

1 - University of Florida, Department of Biology, Gainesville, Florida, 32601, USA
2 - Duke University, Biology, 330 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC, 27708, United States
3 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
4 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, United Kingdom
5 - University Of Florida, FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NAT. HISTORY, 1659 Museum Rd, 354 Dickinson Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States

Keywords:
monocots
geophytes
Asparagaceae
Ledebouria
Drimiopsis
Resnova.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: SYS3, Systematics III: Cooley Award presentations
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2020
Time: 12:00 PM
Number: SYS3009
Abstract ID:151
Candidate for Awards:George R. Cooley Award