Abstract Detail



Systematics

Fabre, Paige [1], Wolfe, Andi [2].

Staminode morphology, function, and evolution in Penstemon (Plantaginaceae).

Penstemon (Plantaginaceae) is a genus of ca. 271 species of flowering plants endemic to North America. Flowers within this genus are diverse in size, shape, and color, though they have the same general morphology: a tubular, bilabiate corolla, didynamous stamens, and a staminode. The staminode is a vestigial stamen that has lost its ability to produce pollen. The often hairy staminode is what earns the common name for the genus: Beardtongues. Interestingly, the staminode length, width, curvature, and amount of hairs varies dramatically throughout the genus, and even within similar pollination syndromes. Previous research has attempted to elucidate the functional role of the staminode during pollination of a handful of Penstemon species, however, there has not yet been a genus-wide analysis of staminode morphology and function. For our research, we will first perform principle component analyses to decipher correlations between staminode characters, as well as correlations of staminode characters with those of the anther and corolla. Then, utilizing an updated Penstemon phylogeny, an ancestral state reconstruction will reveal patterns in staminode trait evolution. Using this same reconstruction, we can also map classes of pollinators to see how staminode morphology corresponds to pollinator type and size. Additionally, floral manipulation experiments can be performed to better understand staminode function. Finally, genotype by sequencing data will be used to compare species with extreme staminode morphology to discover genes that are associated with particular staminode traits.


1 - Ohio State University, EEOB, 318 W. 12th Avenue, 318 Aronoff Laboratory, Columbus, OH, 43221, United States
2 - Ohio State University, Department Of Evolution, Ecology And Organismal Biology, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States

Keywords:
Penstemon
Staminode
Plantaginaceae
pollination
Comparative Phylogenetics.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Systematics Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Thursday, July 30th, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM Time and date to be determined
Number: PSY024
Abstract ID:767
Candidate for Awards:None


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