Abstract Detail

Development and Structure

Phillips, Heather [1], Landis, Jacob [2], Specht, Chelsea [3].

To Fuse or not to Fuse: Investigating the Evolution and Development of Floral Fusion in the Zingiberales.

Throughout the evolution of the angiosperm flower, developmental innovations have enabled the modification or elaboration of novel floral organs enabling subsequent diversification and expansion into new niches, for example the formation of novel pollinator relationships. One such developmental innovation is the fusion of various floral organs to form complex structures. Multiple types of floral fusion exist; each type may be the result of different developmental processes and has likely evolved multiple times independently across the angiosperm tree of life. The development of fused organs is thought to be mediated by the NAM/CUC3 subfamily of NAC transcription factors, which mediate boundary formation during meristematic development. During this talk, I will show how am utilizing the Zingiberales as a model lineage for investigating floral fusion, including my progress in (1) outlining the evolution of candidate fusion genes in this order and (2) characterizing fusion gene expression in Costus spicatus.

1 - P.O. Box 6641, Ithaca, NY, 14851, United States
2 - Cornell University
3 - Cornell University, Plant Biology, Plant Science, 236 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14851, United States

Keywords:
Evo-Devo
Evolution
Development
Floral Development
Zingiberales
Costus
NAM/CUC3.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: DS1003
Abstract ID:108
Candidate for Awards:Katherine Esau Award,Maynard F. Moseley Award,Developmental and Structural Section Graduate Student Registration Award