Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants
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Botany Seminars

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

When?  

  • Wednesdays at 4:15pm (during the semester)

Where?

  • Small lecture hall (Room 109) Botanical Institute, Menzinger Str. 67, 80638 München.

Program

10 April 2024: Prof. Dr. Susanne S. Renner, Washington University in St. Louis, U.S.A.

The genetic basis of a camouflage trait and the dynamics of plant/butterfly coevolution under climate change

Some plants use camouflage to avoid herbivores, but the evolution and function of this phenomenon have remained poorly studied. Our work clarifies the genetic causes and fitness benefits of stone-colored leaves in a Qinghai-Tibet-Plateau species of Corydalis that through its camouflage escapes herbivory from Parnassius caterpillars. Multi-omic data and functional validation show that a 254-bp-inserted transposon causes anthocyanin accumulation in leaves, giving them a grey color that reduces P. cephalus oviposition and leaf damage, resulting in higher fruit set than achieved by co-existing green-leaved individuals of the same species. Our study is novel in inferring population-genomic histories over the past 100 and 10,000 years of the interacting plants and butterflies at locations with and without camouflage. The results --to be presented in this talk-- illuminate the evolutionary dynamics of coevolving alpine plants and butterflies under climate warming.

corydalis_benecincta_baima_snow_mts_koerner
Photo: Corydalis benecincta in Baima Snow Mountain © Christian Koerner, Basel

Host: Prof. Dr. Gudrun Kadereit

 

24 April 2024: Laura Ávila Robledillo, Max Planck Institute of Plant Breeding Research, Department of Chromosome Biology, Cologne, Germany.

Insights about mono- and holocentromeres in the genus Drosera

Host: PD Dr. Andreas Fleischmann

 

22 May 2024: Dr. Ekaterina Pushkareva, Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Germany.

Biocrusts from the High Arctic: microbial community composition and their potential functions

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are essential components of polar ecosystems and play an important role in shaping the fragile environments of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Biocrust are composed of a diverse array of bacteria, fungi, algae, lichens, and bryophytes that interact with the soil particles, creating a fragile layer on the soil's surface. They serve as pioneers in barren landscapes, contributing significantly to soil stability, nutrient cycling, and moisture retention. Understanding their composition, distribution, and ecological functions is crucial for comprehending the complex dynamics of polar ecosystems. Investigating these crusts offers insights into their resilience against extreme conditions and their pivotal role in maintaining the overall biodiversity and ecological balance in these harsh, yet vulnerable, polar environments.

pushkareva

Host: PD Dr. Andreas Beck

 

29 May 2024: Dr. Alistair Leverett, University of Cambridge, England.

Clusia: a (re)emerging model genus for studying crassulacean acid metabolism and succulent traits

 Host: Dr. Thibaud Messerschmid

 

05 June 2024: Dr. Andrew Rozefelds, Principal Scientist and Curator of Palaeobotany at Queensland Museum, Australia.

The Cenozoic fossil record of northern Australia

Host: Dr. Elizabeth Joyce


12 June 2024: Dr. Petr Sklenář, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

Plants from the tropical high Andes – evolution and ecology 

The Tropical Andes, a hotspot of biodiversity, harbour several textbook examples of adaptive radiations in plants. Lupins, gentians, valerians, espeletias, what do they have in common? Why are they so diverse? The „summer every day, winter every night“ of the tropical high mountains provides unique environmental settings. But how can this be linked to plant diversification? The talk offers colorful plants, many questions, and maybe some answers.

espeletia-paramo-angel
Photo: Espeletia in Páramo Angel

Host: Dr. Simon Pfanzelt

 

26 June 2024: Eintauchen project, AG Gottschling.

 

... 17 July 2024


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