Abstract Detail

Systematics

Arias, Josh D. [1], Tripp, Erin A. [2], Zhuang, Yongbin [3], Fisher, Amanda E. [1].

Transcriptome-based phylogeny of BAWN (Acanthaceae).

Acanthaceae are a diverse, widespread, and ecologically important tropical plant family with >4000 species, many of which have striking floral displays. The family includes the well-known genera Justicia (ca. 400 spp.) and Ruellia (ca. 300 spp.) with species radiations in the new world tropics. The sister lineage of Justiceae + Ruellieae is a phylogenetic knot of clades known as BAWN, an acronym for Barlerieae, Andrographideae, Whitfieldieae and Neuracanthus. Weakly supported relationships among BAWN lineages limit our ability to deduce patterns of character evolution and thus to fully exploit this diverse, morphologically and physiologically disparate and biogeographically widespread clade for comparative study. In particular, understanding family-wide evolutionary trends in flower color and anther and pollen morphology will benefit from increased phylogenetic resolution in BAWN. We sequenced and assembled leaf and flower transcriptomes for representatives across BAWN to identify orthologous loci and estimate a nuclear phylogeny. We hypothesize that our results will corroborate phylogenetic studies of BAWN that have used chloroplast data, with increased statistical support. This research will inform future phylogenetic and character evolution studies of Acanthaceae.

1 - California State University, Long Beach, Biological Sciences, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA, 90840, USA
2 - University Of Colorado Boulder, C105, Ramaley Hall, Campus Box 334, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
3 - University Of Colorado Boulder, Ramaley Hall, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA

Keywords:
Transcriptome
Acanthaceae
De novo assembly.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 41, Systematics III: Euasterids
Location: Sundance 4/Omni Hotel
Date: Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
Time: 2:45 PM
Number: 41006
Abstract ID:466
Candidate for Awards:None