Format: ORAL

Farahnoz N. Khojayori1, Udhaya Ponraj1, Xiao Wang1, Risn Fattorini2, Roman Kellenberger1, and Beverley J. Glover1

1University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; 2University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

Gorteria diffusa, a South African daisy, has at least 15 distinct populations that differ in their floral morphology, specifically in the number, complexity, and position of petal spots. However, all morphs are pollinated by the same bee-fly, Megapalpus capensis. Floral morphs with simple spots lead to foraging and resting by the bee-fly, while those with complex petal spots mimic the female bee-fly, tricking the males into pseudo-copulation. Our research suggests multiple genetic pathways may have been co-opted and integrated to produce an effective bee-fly mimic. We are comparing these pathways across the populations of G. diffusa to identify processes underlying the evolution of this novel character.