| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section/ASPT Rose, Jeff [1], Sytsma, Kenneth J. [2]. Nature or Nurture? Investigating the Evolution of Cotyledons In Polemoniaceae. The seedling stage is arguably one of the most important stages in the life cycle of angiosperms, yet little research has been conducted on its evolution. Differences in seedling morphology have been hypothesized to have an adaptive value, at least in tropical forests, but most research has focused on the taxonomic implications of seedling form. The phlox family (Polemoniaceae) exhibits a wide spectrum of life history, ecological, cotyledon, and embryo diversity. Using comparative phylogenetic methods in a quantitative framework we investigate the evolution of cotyledon shape and endosperm storage strategy across the family using over 100 representatives of the ca. 400 taxa in the Polemoniaceae and its sister family, Fouquieriaceae. In addition, we examine the adaptive value of these traits in light of their correlation to climatic variables. We find that not only do cotyledons possess much interspecific variability in terms of size and shape (ranging from cordate to linear) but that cotyledon shape exhibits strong correlations to abiotic ecological variables dealing with precipitation and temperature as well as life history strategy.
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1 - The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Botany, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
2 - University of Wisconsin, Department of Botany, 430 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
Keywords:
Polemoniaceae
Morphospace
Morphometrics
cotyledon
Fouquieriaceae
climatic niche.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 31
Location: Salon 4/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2015
Time: 11:00 AM
Number: 31012
Abstract ID:561
Candidate for Awards:George R. Cooley Award |
