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SUMMARY:Examining the molecular basis of speciation through flavonoid-tint
 ed glasses - Hester Sheehan\, Brockington Group
DTSTART:20161020T120000Z
DTEND:20161020T123000Z
UID:TALK67640@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:42122
DESCRIPTION:The genus Petunia comprises species that are pollinated by dif
 ferent animal pollinators including bees\, nocturnal hawkmoths and humming
 birds. Transitions in adaptation to these different pollinators have helpe
 d drive speciation within the genus. Such transitions require the modifica
 tion of multiple floral traits\, among them visible colour\, ultra-violet 
 (UV) absorbance\, scent\, nectar production and morphology. How can such c
 omplex changes happen again and again over short periods of evolutionary t
 ime? To help answer this question\, I looked at the genes and mutations re
 sponsible for transitions in floral colour. Two classes of flavonoids are 
 important for Petunia floral colour: anthocyanins produce the reds and pur
 ples\, whereas flavonols absorb UV light. In general\, differences in anth
 ocyanin and flavonol levels between Petunia species are caused by a limite
 d number of mutations of large phenotypic effect. For instance\, mutations
  in MYB-FL\, encoding a R2R3-MYB transcription factor\, are responsible fo
 r both gain and loss of UV absorbance. Modifications to MYB-FL also affect
  anthocyanin levels\, imposing constraints on possible colour combinations
  and providing insight into the possible order of trait changes. 
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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