Abstract Detail

Development and Structure

Rose, Irving Jason [1], Holliday, Aaliyah [2], Atluri, Tara [1], Martinez-Gomez, Jesus [1], Specht, Chelsea [3].

Umbellate Inflorescence Structure and Development in Monocots.

Plants undergo developmental processes to produce intricate and complex structures that allow them to be biologically successful. The evolution of specialized plant reproductive structures is one such innovation. The inflorescence consists of branches, flowers, and leaves. Although inflorescences have been studied from a topological perspective, little is known about the evolution and development of the inflorescence in a phylogenetic context. Through the characterization of developmental morphology and by inferring the mode of evolution we will have a better understanding of inflorescence evolution throughout the monocots. Within the monocots, the umbellate inflorescence state is prominent along with raceme and single-like structures. Although all flowers seem to arise from a single point; morphological analysis, in the Amaryllidaceae, argues that these are cymose branches with condensed internodes, in contrast to true umbles, which are a raceme-derived structure sensu Endress. However, developmental morphology has not been investigated in all lineages with umbellate structures, which have evolved at least eight times in the monocots. We study the ontogenetic series of these umbellate independent evolutions, in addition to closely related non-umbellate structures, to test if specimens are true umbels or ‘bostryx.’ Inflorescence meristems will be collected from flowering age underground structures (e.g., bulbs, rhizomes). Representatives from all transitions between inflorescence states will be utilized to obtain the ontogenetic series. These meristems are dissected from their underground structure, fixed in FAA, alcohol dehydrated, stained with Nigrosin, and imaged with an epi-illumination microscope. Preliminary analysis shows that umbels in Brodiaea exhibit similar developmental patterns to those found in Amaryllidaceae. We contextualize our findings within the broader literature of monocot inflorescences development. In particular, note that the umbellate inflorescence exhibits morphological similarities to the secondary branches found in Zingiberales inflorescences. Through these studies, we will shed light on the evolutionary processes of inflorescences in monocots.

1 - Cornell University, Plant Science, Mann Library 237 Mann Drive Cornell University, Ithaca, NEW YORK, 14853, United States
2 - 130 University Avenue, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
3 - Cornell University, Section of Plant Biology & the L.H. Bailey Hortorium, 502 Mann Library, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States

Keywords:
evo-devo
inflorescence
bostryx
umbel
morphology.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: DS1, Development and Structure I
Location: /
Date: Tuesday, July 20th, 2021
Time: 11:30 AM(EDT)
Number: DS1007
Abstract ID:679
Candidate for Awards:Developmental and Structural Section Undergraduate Student Registration Award