ID: 613 / 116

Category: Symposia

Track: Pending

Proposed Symposium Title: NEW INSIGHTS ON BIG PLANT GENERA 2: GENOMICS & TRAIT EVOLUTION

Abstract: The 28 biggest plant genera have >1,000 species and collectively include 45k species equal to >10% of plant diversity. The recent proliferation of collaborative networks, the widespread application of high throughput sequencing techniques, and proliferation of access to virtual specimens and online library resources has led to advances in the study of these big plant genera. This symposium forms part of the “New Insights on Big Genera” symposia that explore the question of what it takes to be big. This second symposium focuses on exploring genomic origins of diversity in large plant genera, and complements the first symposium focused on species diversity patterns. High throughput sequencing has enabled us to go beyond the surface of the role dynamic genomes play in the diversity we see in these genera. The speakers will provide an overview of plant architecture (Isnard) and the role of dynamic genomes and gene paralogues in the evolution of big plant genera (Kidner, Lippman). All speakers will be encouraged to contribute to the broader questions of (1) whether general patterns can be seen across big genera, (2) whether big genera can be seen as representative of flowering plants, and (3) ideas for the next generation of studies into big plant genera.

Speaker 1: Catherine Kidner, University of Edinburgh/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, United Kingdom, c.kidner@rbge.org.uk, “The role of dynamic genomes in generating diversity in Begonia”

Speaker 2: Zach Lippman, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA, lippman@cshl.edu, “The role of gene paralogs in morphological variation in Solanum”

Speaker 3: Sandrine Isnard, Institute of Research for Development (IRD), Plant Architecture, Functioning and Evolution (AMAP), France, sandrine.isnard@ird.fr, “Importance of growth form and architecture in plant evolution”

Topics (Up to three): Phylogenetics and Phylogenomics

Topic 2: Systematics

Topic 3: Macroevolution

Justification: This symposium provides general interest talks on big genera and provide the first update since the special symposium on big plant genera at the 2005 IBC in Vienna and the much-cited publication of Frodin (2004). Species discovery and taxonomic changes due to molecular phylogenetic evidence have revolutionized our concepts of big plant genera over the past 20 years. This symposium, together with its sister symposium “New Insights on Big Genera 1”, will synthesize these advances and set the scene for the next generation of integrative research in big plant genera. This second symposium focuses on exploring the genomic origins of diversity in large plant genera, and will complement the first symposium focused on diversity patterns. Talks from both sessions will be compiled into a special volume summarizing research on these challenging groups.