Paule et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Bromeliaceae

Genome size evolution in Bromeliaceae

Author(s):—J. Paule, S. Heller & G. Zizka in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—Bromeliaceae is an important Neotropical family mainly due to its distinctive biological and ecologicalfeatures such as epiphytic life form and the presence of ?tank habit?, which are considered key to the fast adaptive radiation of the family. However, evolutionary forces causing chromosomal speciation and adaptation are still enigmatic. Hence, Bromeliaceae might be considered as model and an example for the effect of adaptive radiation on chromosomal diversification. To fully understand the diversity, function, and evolution of plant genomes, an approach synthetizing information from several disciplines is desirable. In addition to chromosome counts, genome size estimations using flow cytometry represent a comprehensive insight into genome evolution. Published and newly collected data from the family Bromeliaceae were analyzed and interpreted in a phylogenetic framework. Preliminary data show significant differences between the subfamilies. The highest overall diversity found in the subfamily Tillandsioideae could be attributed to the activity of transposable elements, translocations or inversions. Moreover, polyploidy seems to be much more common than previously assumed and was found across the whole family. This is documented in more detail in a case study of the subfamily Bromelioideae as well as in two genera from the subfamily Pitcairnioideae (Fosterella and Deuterocohnia). Finally, for Fosterella, geographical and ecological patterns of the ploidy distribution have been recognized.

Keywords:—Genome Size; Polyploidy; C-value.