HNSE-L2-3. Post-zygotic Reproductive Isolating Barriers Contributing to Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) Divergence
Jaclyn Martinez1
Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Stacy, Ph.D.1
1College of Sciences, Department of Life Sciences
ABSTRACT
On the Hawaiian Islands, Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) is a landscape-dominant woody species complex that includes a surprising number of interfertile varieties, races and species. These many taxa appear to represent ongoing population divergence and speciation, in which we suggest there may be postzygotic reproductive barriers relating to hybrid incompatibilities that contribute to speciation. This project examines rates of embryo development and seed germination as indicators of postzygotic isolating barriers in Hawaiian Metrosideros. We optimized laboratory methods for each measure and applied them to examine preserved seeds of pure-taxon crosses and hybrid crosses (i.e., crosses between taxa or involving F1 hybrids). After batches of seeds from both cross types are imported and rehydrated, the proportion of developed embryos is recorded under a dissecting scope. Seeds are then germinated on filter paper in a petri dish, watered and sealed with parafilm, and placed under full spectrum LED light. The proportion of seeds germinated (i.e., standing plants with two leaves) is recorded every two weeks for six weeks. This project seeks to provide insight into the role of early life-history stages in the evolution of reproductive isolating barriers in a hyper diverse, hybridizing tree species complex.
Date
- Nov 15 - 19 2021
- Expired!
Time
- All Day
Labels
- HNSE: Lightning Talk Session 2
Organizer
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The Office of Undergraduate Research
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Phone
702-895-4771 -
Email
our@unlv.edu -
Website
http://unlv.edu/our
Speakers
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Dr. Elizabeth Stacy | College of Sciences
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Jaclyn Martinez | College of Sciences
