Abstract Detail

Characteristics of nectar, nectaries, and nectar spurs

Hileman, Lena [1], Roy, Rahul [2], Liao, Irene [3].

Characteristics of nectar, nectaries, and nectar spurs.

The production of floral and extrafloral nectar is a key mediator of plant-animal interactions. From the vibrant colored nectar of Nesocodon to the toxic Datura wrightii, nectar attracts invertebrates (e.g. bees, flies, moths, ants) and vertebrates (e.g. birds, geckos, mice) for pollination, and at times, defensive services. Because of this key ecological role, nectar biology has been the focus of research for many ecologists, evolutionary biologists, plant developmental biologists and biochemists. The emergence of a number of new model systems, coupled with advances in genomics and proteomics, has expanded our understanding of nectar and nectary traits. Recent advances have come from work in model species such as Arabidopsis and Nicotiana. At the same time, advanced tools have opened the door for insights into diverse processes of nectar biology, nectary development, and nectar spur development in a number of emerging models (e.g., numerous members of Brassicaceae, Cucurbita, Aquilegia, Ipomoea, Nesocodon, and Passiflora). Exciting advances include insights into the genetic control of nectar secretion processes, nectary and nectar spur development, the evolutionary patterns of nectary and nectar spur diversification, unique properties of nectar chemistry, and the evolution of extrafloral nectaries. With heightened interest and recent advances in the field, this colloquium on the characteristics of nectar, nectaries and nectar spurs brings together nectar researchers from various career stages with diverse interests in nectar biology to share ideas and methods and to connect in ways that will move the field of nectar biology in new and exciting directions.

1 - University Of Kansas, Ecology And Evolutionary Biology, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
2 - UMN, Twin Cities, 720 BioSci Bldg, 1445 Gortner Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, United States
3 - Duke University, Department of Biology, 130 Science Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Colloquium Presentations
Session: COL02, Characteristics of nectar, nectaries and nectar spurs
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM
Number: COL02SUM
Abstract ID:937
Candidate for Awards:None