Botanik Seminar: The genetic and molecular basis of stylar polymorphisms – supergenes that promote outbreeding

16.11.2022 in person: Prof. Dr. Michael Lenhard. Universität Potsdam, Germany.

Beginn: 16.15 Uhr; Größer Hörsaal des Botanischen Instituts | Start: 4.15 p.m. Big lecture hall in the Botanical Institute, Menzinger Str. 67, 80638 München.

Plants have evolved several floral adaptations to promote outbreeding. One class of these are stylar polymorphisms. Individuals of species with such polymorphisms belong to one of two morphs that form flowers with male and female reproductive organs in separate, but reciprocal positions. As a result, self-pollination within the flowers of one morph is limited, while pollen transfer between flowers of the two morphs is promoted by the reciprocal organ placement. Male and female organs can be displaced along the proximo-distal axis (heterostyly), along the dorso-ventral axis (inversostyly) or the left-right axis (enantiostyly). We are studying the genetic and molecular basis of these polymorphisms in several model species and have identified the underlying supergenes, non-recombining chromosomal regions that contain individual genes responsible for the differences in male and female organ placement, as well as associated polymorphisms. I will present recent work on understanding the function of these genes and their evolution.

Host: Prof. Dr. Gudrun Kadereit

Ein gemeinsames Seminar des Lehrstuhls für Systematik, Biodiversität & Evolution der Pflanzen der LMU München, der Botanischen Staatssammlung München und des Botanischen Gartens München-Nymphenburg.

A joint seminar of the section Systematics, Biodiversity & Evolution of Plants, the Botanische Staatssammlung München and the Botanical Garden München-Nymphenburg