Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Katzer, Amanda [1], Wessinger, Carolyn [2], Hileman, Lena [3].

Developmental shifts to the nectary are associated with hummingbird adaptation in Penstemon.

An increased nectar reward is a critical component of transitions to hummingbird pollination. However, we know little about the developmental mechanisms that underlie evolutionary shifts in floral nectar volume. Penstemon is an ideal system to study nectar reward evolution because there have been multiple independent transitions from bee to hummingbird adapted flowers during its diversification. In Penstemon, the floral nectary consists of a discrete patch of modified trichomes located on the base of two stamens. To test whether evolutionary change in nectar volume can be explained by change in nectary size, we quantified both nectary area and nectar volume along with other key pollination syndrome traits in 20 Penstemon species that represent multiple transitions to hummingbird pollination. Using a comparative approach, we find that interspecific variation in nectary area is significantly explained by pollination syndrome. In addition, variation in nectary area is positively correlated with nectar volume across the diversity of Penstemon species sampled. Our results demonstrate that shifts in nectary area may represent key developmental transitions contributing to the increased nectar volume associated with hummingbird adaptation in Penstemon.

1 - University of Kansas, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology , 1200 Sunnyside Ave, Lawrence , KS, 66045, USA
2 - University Of Kansas, EEB, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
3 - University Of Kansas, Ecology And Evolutionary Biology, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States

Keywords:
nectar
pollination syndrome.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEV004
Abstract ID:594
Candidate for Awards:Developmental and Structural Section best poster