Evolution and diversification of red flowers: Testing the macroevolutionary causes of rarity

红花的进化和多样化：测试稀有性的宏观进化原因

• 批准号: 1256678
• 负责人: Stacey Smith
• 金额: $ 36万
• 依托单位: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-03-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1256678&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Evolution; diversification; red; flowers; Testing

Evolutionary biologists have long sought to explain the distribution of traits across the tree of life and, in particular, why some traits are common while others remain rare. The number of taxa with a given trait is shaped largely by the transition rates toward and away from that state as well as the diversification rates for taxa with the trait. This project will test the role of these macroevolutionary forces in shaping the distribution of red flowers in the potato family, Solanaceae. Although red-flowered taxa are spread across 13 genera, they are extremely rare, accounting for only 1% of the roughly 2850 species in the family. Using phylogenetic, anatomical, and biochemical methods, this project will (1) identify the origins and mechanistic basis for red coloration in Solanaceae, (2) test the hypothesis that red flowers remain rare due to reduced rates of diversification, and (3) examine whether this effect is contingent on the developmental pathway involved.This research will bring new insight into the range of developmental pathways employed during convergent evolution and the extent to which those mechanisms affect the evolutionary success of lineages. Moreover, the plant pigments targeted by this project have important health benefits for humans, and understanding their evolution in flowers may lead to increased potential for improving pigment content in related crop plants (e.g., potato and tomato). High school students, graduate and undergraduate researchers, and postdoctoral associates will be trained as part of this interdisciplinary project, which spans plant biochemistry to statistical comparative methods. These trainees will also participate in local outreach events to promote interest in plant biology among K-12 students.

进化生物学家长期以来一直试图解释生命树中特征的分布，特别是为什么有些特征很常见，而另一些特征却很罕见。具有给定特征的类群的数量很大程度上取决于朝向和远离该状态的转变率以及具有该特征的类群的多样化率。 该项目将测试这些宏观进化力量在塑造茄科马铃薯科红色花朵分布中的作用。 尽管红花类群分布在 13 个属中，但它们极为罕见，仅占该科约 2850 种物种的 1%。该项目将利用系统发育、解剖学和生物化学方法，（1）确定茄科植物红色着色的起源和机制基础，（2）检验由于多样化率降低而导致红色花仍然稀有的假设，以及（3）检查这种影响是否取决于所涉及的发育途径。这项研究将为趋同进化过程中采用的发育途径的范围以及这些途径的程度带来新的见解。 机制影响谱系的进化成功。 此外，该项目针对的植物色素对人类具有重要的健康益处，了解它们在花卉中的进化可能会增加提高相关作物植物（例如马铃薯和番茄）色素含量的潜力。作为这个跨学科项目的一部分，高中生、研究生和本科生研究人员以及博士后将接受培训，该项目涵盖植物生物化学到统计比较方法。 这些学员还将参加当地的外展活动，以提高 K-12 学生对植物生物学的兴趣。