Research
I am interested in the evolutionary forces that drive the diversity of angiosperm floral morphology. Previous research has focussed on the role of visible floral traits, and little work has focussed on traits that are harder to detect. With this knowledge gap in mind, I became curious what the role of UV reflectance is in the evolution of flora traits. I am using phylogenetic comparative methods to estimate correlations between UV parameters and other floral traits (e.g., tubuluar flowers, visible floral colour) across a range of angisoperm species using different models of trait evolution. I am also embarking on research on quantitative trait loci (QTL) of UV reflectance in the Mimulus model system (a genus that shows a high degree of variabilitiy in UV reflectance) to characterize the number and location of genes involved in the UV reflectance phenotype. Finally, I am interested in the genetic diversity of species that exhibit UV reflectance and am conducting a study that will reveal the demographic history and current population structure of Mimulus guttatus. Thus we can estimate the influence of past glacial periods placing geographical barriers that determine the current geographic distribution and potential for range expansion of this species. Implementing evolutionary principles of gene flow and genetic diversity with a fuller understanding of traits, both visible and invisible to the human eye, can provide a significant contribution to our understanding of how to conserve our natural resources.
Phylogenetic Distribution of UV Reflectance among Angiosperms
The diversity of angiosperm floral coloration and morphology is an intriguing result of evolutionary forces. UV reflectance is a trait that is invisible to humans but has been seen to be a potentially important component of bee-pollinated flowers (open flowers, non-red, low elevation). Values of eight functional traits were compiled for 146 species/populations and mapped onto a calibrated phylogeny. Using phylogenetic comparative methods to estimate single and multiple correlations between the continuously varying UV values and other floral traits.
The diversity of angiosperm floral coloration and morphology is an intriguing result of evolutionary forces. UV reflectance is a trait that is invisible to humans but has been seen to be a potentially important component of bee-pollinated flowers (open flowers, non-red, low elevation). Values of eight functional traits were compiled for 146 species/populations and mapped onto a calibrated phylogeny. Using phylogenetic comparative methods to estimate single and multiple correlations between the continuously varying UV values and other floral traits.
Figure1. Using color to visualize ancestral state reconstructions for continuous traits.
Figure2. Diversification of Ultraviolet floral pigment can be formulated to explain the distribution of pollinators associated bioclimatic factors
Quantitative Trait Loci mapping
I have performed a series of interspecific crosses between female Mimulus guttatus that have high UV reflectance and male Mimulus lewisii that exhibits no UV reflectance in the lab, and have self-fertilized the resulting hybrids. I am now generating inbred lines of F1, F2, F3 hybrids for next generation sequencing.
I have performed a series of interspecific crosses between female Mimulus guttatus that have high UV reflectance and male Mimulus lewisii that exhibits no UV reflectance in the lab, and have self-fertilized the resulting hybrids. I am now generating inbred lines of F1, F2, F3 hybrids for next generation sequencing.
Figure3. Different Mimulus species show different UV pattern through the UV filter lens.
Genetic diversity of Mimulus species from putative Pleistocene refugia
My study will reveal genetic diversity and demographic history that affect the present population structure of the species. Thus we can estimate the influence of past glacial periods placing geographical barriers that determine the current geographic distribution and potential for range expansion of Mimulus. Implementing evolutionary principles of gene flow and genetic diversity provide a significant contribution to our understanding of how to conserve our natural resources. (Figure4. UV spectrometer)
My study will reveal genetic diversity and demographic history that affect the present population structure of the species. Thus we can estimate the influence of past glacial periods placing geographical barriers that determine the current geographic distribution and potential for range expansion of Mimulus. Implementing evolutionary principles of gene flow and genetic diversity provide a significant contribution to our understanding of how to conserve our natural resources. (Figure4. UV spectrometer)