| Abstract Detail
Schmidt, Laura [1], Tirrell, Abigail [1], Hart, Paul [1], Monfils, Anna K. [1]. Pollen Grain Morphology in the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae). The Brassicaceae is a diverse family with tremendous biological and agricultural import. Such diversity makes it an excellent system to examine pollen grain evolution. Pollen grain morphology can be highly variable and little is known about its functional significance. Our comprehensive study examines and describes the diversity of pollen grain morphology and patterns of evolution across the Brassicaceae. Scanning electron micrographs of pollen grain morphology and DNA sequence data were gathered on 24 species – 23 in the Brassicaceae and one in Cleomaceae (Cleome hassleriana). A maximum parsimony analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was conducted on all 24 species. The ITS data were compared with independent ndhF chloroplast DNA data and a partition homogeneity test was performed to assess homogeneity in the distribution of phylogenetic information. A maximum parsimony phylogenetic tree was reconstructed from the combined nuclear ITS and chloroplast ndhF data sets. Observed grains in the Brassicaceae are medium sized, isopolar and tricolpate with a reticulate tectum. The number and sizes of lumina and presence of stray free bacula varies among species. Cleome hassleriana is pertectate with spinules. The well-supported multi-gene phylogenetic reconstruction was combined with pollen morphological data from scanning electron micrographs to provide insight into evolutionary patterns within the Brassicaceae. Pollen grain morphology is highly conserved across the family but varies relative to the Cleomaceae.
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1 - Central Michigan University, Department of Biology, Brooks Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859
Keywords:
Brassicaceae
Pollen Grain Morphology.
Presentation Type: Array
Session: TBA
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: 004
Abstract ID:1454 |
