@ARTICLE{TreeBASE2Ref21482, author = {LEANDRO EXEQUIEL LUCERO and Abelardo Carlos Vegetti and Renata Reinheimer}, title = {Evolution and Development of the Spikelet and Flower of Rhynchospora (Cyperaceae).}, year = {2013}, keywords = {Cyperaceae; Development; Evolution; flower; Rhynchospora; spikelet.}, doi = {}, url = {http://}, pmid = {}, journal = {American Journal of Botany}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, abstract = {? Premise of the study: Rhynchospora, one of the biggest genera of sedges, displays several spikelet and flower modifications, and is one of a few genera where the pollination strategy change from wind to insect-pollination; however, the mechanisms that have promoted such diversity in the genus are unknown. Given that mature forms are the final results of developmental programs, we have performed a comparative study of spikelet and flower development of Rhynchospora from an evolutionary perspective, to get insight into the bases of spikelet and flower evolution in the genus. Particularly, we investigate correlations between the change from wind to insect pollination that occur in the genus, and the spikelet and flower traits. ? Methods: The spikelet and flower development of nine species of Rhynchospora was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian reconstruction analyses were conducted to evaluate the evolutionary history of flower and spikelet developmental programs. ? Key results: We identified seven morphological and developmental traits of the spikelet and flowers that varies among Rhynchospora species; ancestral character reconstructions shows that the spikelet and flower morphology and their developmental pathways support the diversification of Rhynchospora lineages. ? Conclusions: Our results suggest that the evolution of spikelet and flower developmental programs in Rhynchospora is correlated with the evolution of its pollination type, mating system, and dispersal mode. The evolution toward a bisexual spikelet and protandrous flowers may represent important steps for the transition from wind to insect-pollination system. In addition, spikelets and flowers offer new traits to distinguish natural groups within Rhynchospora. } }

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