Understanding the development and evolution of novel floral form in Aquilegia

Citation:

Sharma B, Yant L, Hodges SA, Kramer EM. Understanding the development and evolution of novel floral form in Aquilegia. Current opinion in plant biology. 2014;17 :22-27.

Abstract:

Flowers of the lower eudicot Aquilegia (columbine) possess morphological innovations, namely elaborate petal spurs and a fifth distinct organ identity, the staminodium, that are well suited to the investigation of key questions in developmental evolution. The recent evolution of these characteristics combined with a growing set of genetic and genomic resources has provided insight into how the traits arose and diversified. The petal spur appears to represent a key innovation that diversified largely via modification of specific aspects of cell expansion. In the case of the staminodium, gene duplication has played a role in allowing a novel organ identity to be carved out of the traditional ABC program.

Publisher's Version

Last updated on 08/14/2014