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

马里波萨百合及其近缘种（Calochortus，百合科）是一个大约有80种球根草本植物的属。 大多数Calochortus物种在加州发现，但该集团也可以在北美西部和中美洲的其他地区发现。Calochortus物种出现在不同的栖息地，并反复进化出四种引人注目的花综合征（mariposas，猫的耳朵，星星郁金香，仙女灯笼），其特征是花的形状，颜色，毛，以及花朵是否点头或直立。大多数物种个别地局限于狭窄的地理区域，25%与蛇纹岩土壤有关。该项目将研究塑造这一魅力群体的花朵外观差异并推动其在美国西部的地理传播的力量。研究人员将测试不同栖息地如何有利于不同的四种花卉综合征的理论，并评估是否相同或不同的基因或遗传途径是相似花卉综合征发展的基础。该研究将通过整合生态学，进化，基因组学，发展和地理学，为生物多样性的进化提供独特的见解。两名博士后研究人员，两名研究生和三名本科生将接受不同分子生物学，发育和进化技术的培训。这项研究的结果将通过流行的文章、对K-12教师和学生的宣传以及为关于花卉进化和加州植物地理学的大学水平实验室研究开发教材向公众传播。关于Calochortus多样性的公开展览将在兰乔圣安娜植物园和康奈尔植物园展出。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。将制作一个多媒体演示文稿，在公共电视上播放，并将摘录张贴在YouTube上。所有数据都将公开提供，包括一个数据库和一个专门网站，用于提供将开发的大量基因组资源。该项目将开发Calochortus作为宏观和微观进化研究的模型：（1）对350个低拷贝核基因座和整个质体基因组进行测序，以获得完全解析的、强有力的支持性基因组;（2）重建性状进化、气候生态位变化和历史地理学，包括调查湾区分支中明显的环物种复合体的含义;（3）通过确定姐妹分类群是否表现出具有邻接/邻近分布范围的显著趋势来测试地理物种形成理论;（4）进行花生态-进化-发育研究，检查猫耳和仙女灯笼花综合征的遗传、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基因组编辑进行的功能基因分析，以及发育异速生长，气候生态位，该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过评估来支持使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

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.