Evolutionary strategies and phenotypic plasticity in the stellaria longipes complex (caryophyllaceae)

繁缕复合体（石竹科）的进化策略和表型可塑性

• 批准号: 7222-2009
• 负责人: Chinnappa, Chendanda
• 金额: $ 1.38万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2009-01-01 至 2010-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=420381
• 关键词: Evolutionary; strategies; phenotypic; plasticity; stellaria

I have been interested in the origin and evolution of polyploids. My research has largely focused on the Stellaria longipes complex (Caryophyllaceae). S. longipes is a polyploid and essentially a North American taxon. It is widely distributed on the continent, but also extends into parts of Eurasia, there by attaining a circumpolar distribution. It grows in a variety of habitats, is extremely plastic and a highly successful colonizer. I am attempting to understand the evolutionary strategies of this species. Our work since 1979 points out two important aspects of the biology of the species which contributed towards its success. A) Genetic variability due to polyploidy, facultative outbreeding and interspecific gene flow. B) Development of phenotypic plasticity due to environmentally induced changes in the physiology and morphological expression of the genotypes. My laboratory is currently involved in the continued studies of 1) origin and diversification of the species, and 2) understanding the genetic mechanisms and the adaptive significance of phenotypic plasticity in this species. The idea that biologists need to work downward from phenotypic variation to the physiological effects of genetic and environmental variation is now well recognized. My research program is essentially a 'collaborative' interaction between population biology, ecophysiology, molecular biology and biosystematics. Blending among these disciplines has been a promising endeavor to my understanding of the evolution of this widely distributed extremely plastic and highly successful herbaceous perennial plant species.

我对多倍体的起源和进化很感兴趣。我的研究主要集中在Stellaria longipes复合体（嘉禾科）。S. longipes是一个多倍体，基本上是一个北美分类群。2它广泛分布在大陆，但也延伸到欧亚大陆的部分地区，在那里实现了绕极分布。它生长在各种各样的栖息地，是非常塑料和一个非常成功的殖民者。我试图了解这个物种的进化策略。自1979年以来，我们的工作指出了该物种生物学的两个重要方面，这有助于其成功。 A）由于多倍性、兼性远系繁殖和种间基因流动引起的遗传变异。B）由于环境诱导的基因型的生理和形态表达的变化而导致的表型可塑性的发展。我的实验室目前正在继续研究1）物种的起源和多样化，2）了解该物种表型可塑性的遗传机制和适应意义。生物学家需要从表型变异向下研究遗传和环境变异的生理效应，这一观点现在已经得到了广泛的认可。我的研究计划基本上是一个“合作”之间的相互作用种群生物学，生态生理学，分子生物学和生物系统学。这些学科之间的融合是一个很有前途的奋进，我了解这种广泛分布的非常可塑和非常成功的多年生草本植物物种的进化。