Abstract Detail

Systematics

GRANT, KIRSTIE [1], Burke, Janelle [2].

Investigation of sexual systems associated with species of the genus Rumex using compared reconstructed molecular phylogenies.

The genus Rumex is a unique member of the Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) family of plants. A source of intrigue for Rumex lies in the diversity of the sexual systems associated with the subgenera, species, and subspecies within this genus. Four currently recognized subgenera, some 200 species, and a number of subspecies comprise the collective Rumex genus. These exhibit monoecious, dioecious, hermaphroditic, gynodioecious and polygamous sexual systems. Moreover, some of the dioecious species contain sex chromosomes, a phenomenon that occurs in roughly 1% of angiosperms. Apart from the confirmed morphological and phytogeographical distinctions, two of the four subgenera, Acetosa and Acetosella, are distinctive in their mode of sex-determining mechanisms, sex- chromosome systems, and resulting sexual systems. This project focuses on the species of Rumex currently classified within subgenera Acetosa and Acetosella. We are working to reconstruct a phylogeny to test the evolution of different sexual systems and sex chromosomes within Rumex. To date, we have observed two molecular markers, rbcL and psbA-trnH, and increased taxon sampling compared to previous work. Preliminary results suggest that the species with divergent sexual systems are more closely related to each other, than other species comprising the rest of the genus. Our phylogeny will be used to test previous researchers’ assumptions regarding the taxonomic and phylogenetic classification of Rumex based on cytological inference.

1 - Howard University, 415 College Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20059, United States
2 - Howard University, 415 College St. NW, Dept. Of Biology, Washington, DC, 20059, USA

Keywords:
dioecy
Polygonaceae
Sex chromosomes
Acetosa
Acetosella.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Systematics
Location: Exhibit Hall/Omni Hotel
Date: Monday, June 26th, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PSY012
Abstract ID:366
Candidate for Awards:None