Abstract Detail

Phylogenomics

Zhao, Lijun [1], Walker, Joseph [2], Yang, Ya [3], Wang, Ning [1], Marx, Hannah [1], Brockington, Samuel [4], Moore, Michael [5], Smith, Stephen [1].

Disentangling the evolutionary relationships of Aizoaceae using transcriptome data.

The family Aizoaceae is the largest clade of leaf succulent plants. Comprising c. 1900 species in 120 genera, Aizoaceae exhibit a broad spectrum of morphology, physiology and life forms. Their evolution and adaptation to xeric areas are unique to many dicot families. Strikingly, the species-rich and hyperdiverse subfamily, Ruschioideae, is thought to have experienced one of the most rapid and recent radiations recorded in angiosperms. Whereas the phylogenetic position of Aizoaceae within Caryophyllales has been historically well supported, the relationships within Aizoaceae are poorly supported and remain contentious, due to sparse taxon sampling and insufficient phylogenetic information from only a few genetic markers. Twenty eight new transcriptomes and eight previously sequenced transcriptomes will be included in the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. Using novel phylotranscriptomic methods allows us to examine if gene tree conflict which would serve as a source of uncertainty in phylogenetic reconstruction, as well as to examine patterns of molecular evolution, such as gene and genome duplications, selections of genes linked to stress-related responses and substitution rate heterogeneity in relation to life history. This will be the first phylogenomic analysis conducted on Aizoaceae to help disentangle the evolutionary relationships and understand the evolution of the Aizoaceae, hence shed light on a new perspective on patterns and processes of plant diversity and species diversification.

1 - University of Michigan, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 1105 North University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
2 - University of Cambridge, Sainsbury Laboratory, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge , CB2 1LR, UK
3 - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Department of Plant Biology, 1445 Gortner Avenue, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
4 - University of Cambridge, Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge, CB2 3EA , UK
5 - Oberlin College, Department Of Biology, 119 Woodland St., Science Center K111, Oberlin, OH, 44074, USA

Keywords:
phylogenomics
Transcriptome
Aizoaceae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: PHYL1, Phylogenomics I
Location: San Ignacio/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 9:30 AM
Number: PHYL1007
Abstract ID:510
Candidate for Awards:None