Phylogeny, historical biogeography, and floral ecological-evolutionary-developmental studies in Mariposa lilies and relatives (Calochortus, Liliaceae)

Mariposa百合及其亲戚（Calochortus，百合科）是大约80种球茎草本植物的一个属。大多数卡洛chortus物种在加利福尼亚被发现，但该群体也可以在北美西部和中美洲的其他地区被发现。Calochortus种类出现在不同的栖息地，并反复进化出四种引人注目的花型综合征（mariposas, cat - ears, star tulips, fairy lanterns），其特征是花的形状、颜色、毛发以及花是点头还是直立。大多数物种单独局限于狭窄的地理区域，25%与蛇形土壤有关。这个项目将研究形成这一魅力群体的花朵外观差异的力量，并推动他们在美国西部的地理分布。研究人员将测试不同的栖息地如何有利于不同的四种花卉综合症的理论，并评估相同或不同的基因或遗传途径是否构成类似花卉综合症的发展基础。该研究将通过整合生态学、进化学、基因组学、发育学和生物地理学，为生物多样性的进化提供独特的见解。两名博士后研究员、两名研究生和三名本科生将接受不同分子生物学、发育和进化技术方面的培训。这项研究的结果将通过流行文章、延伸到K-12教师和学生的方式向公众传播，并为大学水平的植物进化和加州生物地理实验室研究开发教材。公众将在Rancho Santa Ana植物园和Cornell植物园展出Calochortus的多样性。实地课程将为大学生提供涉及自然历史收藏、生物信息学和比较生物学的实践经验。将制作一份多媒体简报，在公共电视上播放，并在YouTube上发布节选。所有数据都将公开，包括一个数据库和专门的网站，用于将开发的广泛的基因组资源。该项目将发展Calochortus作为宏观和微观进化研究的模型：(1)对350个低拷贝核位点和整个质体基因组进行测序，以获得完全确定的、强有力支持的系统发育；(2)重建特征演化、气候生态位变化和历史生物地理学，包括研究湾区分支中一个明显的环状物种复合物的意义；(3)通过确定姊妹类群是否表现出明显的毗邻/邻近趋势来检验地理物种形成理论；(4)开展花卉生态-进化-发育研究，研究猫耳综合征和仙女灯综合征的遗传、发育和生态基础。研究人员将利用候选基因的选择分析、基因表达和遗传网络的进化、通过CRISPR基因组编辑进行功能基因分析、发育异位、气候生态位和基因组数据的比较研究，更好地了解在特定环境背景下驱动花性状反复进化的机制。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Mariposa lilies and relatives (Calochortus, family Liliaceae) are a genus of roughly 80 species of bulbous herbs. Most Calochortus species are found in California but the group can also be found in other parts of western North America and Central America. Calochortus species occur in diverse habitats and have repeatedly evolved four striking floral syndromes (mariposas, cat's ears, star tulips, fairy lanterns) marked by differences in flower shape, color, hairiness, and whether flowers are nodding or erect. Most species are individually restricted to narrow geographic areas, and 25% are associated with serpentine soils. This project will examine the forces that have shaped both differences in flower appearance of this charismatic group and driven their geographic spread across the western US. The researchers will test theories for how different habitats may favor the different four floral syndromes, and evaluate whether the same or different genes or genetic pathways underlie the development of similar floral syndromes. The study will provide unique insights into the evolution of biological diversity by integrating ecology, evolution, genomics, development, and biogeography. Two post-doctoral researchers, two graduate students, and three undergraduates will be trained in diverse molecular biology, developmental and evolutionary techniques. Results from the study will be disseminated to the public via popular articles, outreach to K-12 teachers and students, and by developing teaching materials for a college-level laboratory study on floral evolution and California biogeography. Public displays on Calochortus diversity will be exhibited at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden and Cornell Botanic Gardens. A field course will provide college students with hands-on experience involving natural history collections, bioinformatics, and comparative biology. A multimedia presentation will be developed and shown on public TV, with excerpts posted on YouTube. All data will be made available publicly, including a database and dedicated website for the extensive genomic resources that will be developed. This project will develop Calochortus as a model for macro- and microevolutionary studies by: (1) sequencing 350 low-copy nuclear loci and whole plastid genomes to derive fully resolved, strongly supported phylogenies; (2) reconstructing trait evolution, climatic niche shifts, and historical biogeography, including investigating the implications of an apparent ring species complex in the Bay Area clade; (3) testing geographic-speciation theory by determining whether sister taxa show a significant tendency to have abutting/nearby ranges; and (4) conducting floral ecological-evolutionary-developmental studies that examine the genetic, developmental, and ecological bases for the cat's-ear and fairy-lantern floral syndromes. Researchers will use analyses of selection on candidate genes, gene expression and evolution of genetic networks, functional gene analysis through CRISPR genome editing and comparative studies of developmental allometry, climatic niches, and genomic data to better understand the mechanisms driving the recurrent evolution of floral traits in specific environmental contexts.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.