Abstract Detail

Botany 2015 Colloquium: Integrated perspectives on the ecology, genetics and coevolution of intimate mutualisms

Smith, Christopher [1], Royer, Anne [2].

Genomic and geographic clines in the Joshua tree (Yucca) hybrid zone.

Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia and Y. jaegeriana) and their yucca moth pollinators (Tegeticula antithetica and T. synthetica) are a classic model system for studying plant-pollinator coevolution. The plants and their pollinators are mutually specialized; Joshua trees are pollinated exclusively by the yucca moths and the moths in turn reproduce solely in Joshua tree flowers, laying their eggs in the floral style. Joshua trees associated with different species of moth show a number of differences in floral morphology that are seemingly associated with differences in the moths' anatomy. Several studies have argued that these differences are the result of pollinator-mediated selection, and even that pollinator isolation may have promoted initial divergence between Y. brevifolia and Y. jaegeriana. However, evidence supporting these hypotheses is mixed. Here, we report the results of extensive investigations of clinal variation in morphological features, as well as microsatellite and RAD-tag genotypes, across a narrow hybrid zone where the two species of Joshua tree and their associated pollinators co-occur.

1 - Willamette University, Biology, 900 State Street, Department of Biology, Salem, OREGON, 97301, United States
2 - Willamette University, Biology, 900 State Street, Salem, OREGON, 97301, United States

Keywords:
coevolution
pollination
Hyrbridization
Yucca
Agavaceae
Population Genomics
Clines.

Presentation Type: Colloquium Presentations
Session: C4
Location: Hall C/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2015
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: C4002
Abstract ID:141
Candidate for Awards:None