Evolutionary ecology of complex floral phenotypes

复杂花卉表型的进化生态学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2018-04148
• 负责人: Parachnowitsch, Amy
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of New Brunswick
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=661514
• 关键词: Evolutionary; ecology; complex; floral; phenotypes

We have a skewed understanding of floral evolution because we lack floral scent micro and macroevolution studies. Why does this matter? Plants form the basis of the majority of interacting species networks and angiosperm evolution has provided a foundation for understanding diversification. Furthermore, plant-animal interactions are ubiquitous and drive the diversification of both plants and animals via antagonistic and mutualistic interactions. Studies of floral micro and macro-evolution have made major advances in understanding co-evolution, speciation and the role of plant-pollinator interactions. Yet to push forward the field we need further integration across fields to study these complex traits holistically. ***Floral scent has been largely ignored especially in the evolutionary ecology of flowering plants, in part because the difficulty to quantify scent for large numbers of individuals necessary for micro and macroevolutionary studies. However, as methodology has improved these fundamental questions can now be addressed. In my proposal, I address central questions to floral evolution and interspecific communication by integrating floral scent into a well-studied system of floral diversification. By taking a holistic approach to floral phenotypes and integrating scent with traits such as floral morphology, colour and rewards, the scientific result will address core questions on evolution of complex traits and communication. Specifically my research objectives are: ***[1] Examine the evolutionary ecology of multifaceted floral traits by measuring correlational selection for complex phenotypes;***[2] Determine the importance of pollinators as drivers of evolution of floral scent;***[3] Measure evolutionary impacts of urbanisation on plants and pollinator interactions;***[4] Assess a novel ecological function of floral scent signals by determining whether plants use neighbours' floral scent signals to gain information about their mating environment.******As we face global climate change, pollinator declines, and intensification of agricultural needs, a clear understanding of the complex organs and organisms responsible for plant reproduction is necessary. My research program will yield high-impact science for these complex traits that will provide the foundation of future basic and applied research.

我们对花的进化有一种扭曲的理解，因为我们缺乏对花的气味、微观和宏观进化的研究。这有什么关系呢？植物构成了大多数相互作用的物种网络的基础，被子植物的进化为理解多样性提供了基础。此外，植物与动物的相互作用无处不在，并通过相互拮抗和相互作用推动植物和动物的多样化。花的微观和宏观进化的研究在理解共同进化、物种形成和植物-传粉者相互作用的作用方面取得了重大进展。然而，为了推动这一领域的发展，我们需要跨领域的进一步整合，以全面研究这些复杂的特征。花香在很大程度上被忽视了，特别是在开花植物的进化生态学中，部分原因是很难对大量个体的气味进行量化，这是微观和宏观进化研究所必需的。然而，随着方法的改进，这些根本问题现在可以得到解决。在我的提案中，我通过将花香融入到一个经过充分研究的花卉多样化系统中，解决了花卉进化和种间交流的核心问题。通过对花的表型采取整体的方法，并将气味与花的形态、颜色和奖励等特征相结合，科学结果将解决复杂特征的进化和交流的核心问题。具体来说，我的研究目标是：*[1]通过测量复杂表型的相关选择来检验多方面花卉性状的进化生态学；*[2]确定传粉者作为花香进化驱动力的重要性；*[3]衡量城市化对植物和传粉者相互作用的进化影响；*[4]通过确定植物是否使用邻居的花香信号来获得有关其交配环境的信息，来评估花香信号的一种新的生态功能。*当我们面临全球气候变化、传粉者减少和农业需求的加剧时，清楚地了解负责植物繁殖的复杂器官和生物是必要的。我的研究计划将为这些复杂的特征产生高影响力的科学成果，为未来的基础和应用研究提供基础。