Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Berger, Brent [1], Riciglicano, Vincent [2], Thompson, Veronica [2], Lim, Aedric [2], Howarth, Dianella [2].

Incorporating Morphometrics of Floral Symmetry into VIGS knockdown analyses in Fedia graciliflora.

Virus–induced gene silencing (VIGS) has emerged as a powerful reverse genetic tool for studying gene function in plants, especially in non-model plants. Due to the mosaic knockdown of targeted genes through VIGS, however, there can be difficulties in assaying the resultant phenotypes. In order to examine the evo-devo of shape changes in knocked down genes, we ideally need a way to separate the natural variation in wild plants from the variation among knocked down flowers. We use morphometrics to explore the floral shape variation in Fedia graciliflora (Valerianaceae). F. graciliflora have strongly bilaterally symmetrical purple flowers. We examine the knockdown phenotypes of FgANS (anthocyanidin synthase, which is involved in the color pigment pathway) and FgCYC2A (CYCLOIDEA2A, which is involved in the floral symmetry pathway). To analyze corolla shape data among VIGS treatments in relation to wild type, we use two approaches to perform geometric morphometrics. The first approach performs a Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) to extract shape information from landmark configurations. We additionally test for variation in shape based on outlines and employ Fourier transformations. We use these techniques to show that 1) the knockdown of the reporter gene FgANS does not significantly change the shape of the flower and 2) FgCYC2A knockdowns result in a significant change in petal shape and location.

1 - St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
2 - St. John's University, Biological Sciences, 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamaica, NY, 11439, USA

Keywords:
Floral Symmetry
Morphometrics
CYCLOIDEA
Fedia
Valerianaceae.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEV002
Abstract ID:1121
Candidate for Awards:None