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

百合属(Calochortus，百合科)是大约80种球茎草本植物的一个属。大多数Calochortus物种都在加利福尼亚州发现，但该类群也可以在北美西部和中美洲的其他地区找到。Calochortus物种分布在不同的栖息地，并反复进化出四个显著的花卉综合征(花瓣、猫耳、星星郁金香、仙女灯笼)，其特点是花朵形状、颜色、毛发以及花是点头还是直立。大多数物种仅限于狭窄的地理区域，25%与蛇纹岩土壤有关。这个项目将考察是什么力量塑造了这个富有魅力的群体在花朵外观上的差异，并推动了他们在美国西部的地理传播。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症的理论，并评估相同或不同的基因或遗传途径是导致相似的花卉综合症发展的基础。这项研究将通过整合生态学、进化论、基因组学、发育和生物地理学，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、发育和进化技术方面的培训。这项研究的结果将通过热门文章、对K-12教师和学生的宣传以及为大学级关于植物进化和加州生物地理学的实验室研究开发教材向公众传播。有关Calochortus多样性的公开展览将在牧场圣安娜植物园和康奈尔植物园展出。一门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。将制作多媒体演示文稿，并在公共电视上播放，节选将在YouTube上发布。所有数据都将公之于众，包括一个数据库和一个专门的网站，供将要开发的大量基因组资源使用。这个项目将把Calochortus发展为宏观和微观进化研究的模式：(1)对350个低拷贝核基因座和整个叶绿体基因组进行测序，以得出完全解析的、强有力的系统发育；(2)重建性状进化、气候生态位变化和历史生物地理，包括调查湾区分支中明显的环状物种复合体的含义；(3)通过确定姐妹类群是否表现出显著的毗邻/邻近范围的趋势来检验地理物种形成理论；以及(4)开展花卉生态-进化-发育研究，研究猫耳花和仙女灯花综合征的遗传、发育和生态学基础。研究人员将使用对候选基因的选择、遗传网络的基因表达和进化的分析、通过CRISPR基因组编辑进行的功能基因分析以及对发育异速生长、气候生态位和基因组数据的比较研究，以更好地了解在特定环境背景下驱动花卉性状反复进化的机制。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.