Evolution of the reproductive system and implications for floral morphology in Connaraceae, with emphasis on neotropical species

• Grant number: 23/00985-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Vinicius Castro Souza
• Grantee: Joicelene Regina Lima da Paz
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project aims to understand how floral morphology in Connaraceae relates to thedifferent reproductive strategies found in this group. The family is composed of 12-13 genera andabout two hundred species worldwide, with a Pantropical distribution, with most of the richnessdistributed in South America and Central Africa, the Neotropical region being the centre ofrichness in number of species. Connaraceae has interesting floral and reproductive features suchas the occurrence of heterostyly and even dioecy, stamens arranged in two verticils which alternatein size and carpels which can be five free or only one. Such features, together, make theConnaraceae a promising group for studies of reproductive biology and floral polymorphisms.Based on the literature available today, it is possible to affirm that the diverse groups ofConnaraceae present floral polymorphisms and diverse reproductive strategies that have not yetbeen perfectly elucidated, which represents a very promising study opportunity. Thus, the presentproposal aims to: 1) understand how the morphological variations of flowers and inflorescencesare related among floral types and with the different reproductive strategies in Neotropical speciesof Connaraceae; 2) to compile the data of floral phenotypic variations and reproductive systemsfrom an evolutionary perspective within the family; and 3) contribute to the knowledge of theevolution of reproductive systems in Connaraceae, based on the results obtained. The discussionof the expected results from a morphological, ecological and evolutionary perspective willcontribute to the elucidation of the transition, stability and lability of reproductive systems inwoody plants that exhibit floral polymorphisms.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA PAZ, JOICELENE REGINA LIMA; DOS SANTOS, BEATRIZ RIBEIRO; SA, TULIO FREITAS FILGUEIRA; FARIA, JAIR EUSTAQUIO QUINTINO; SILVA, WAGNER PEREIRA; TOLEDO, CASSIO AUGUSTO PATROCINIO; PIGOZZO, CAMILA MAGALHAES; BELLONZI, TALITA KELY; GASPARINO, EDUARDO CUSTODIO; SOUZA, VINICIUS CASTRO; et al. Describing heterostyly, pollen, and sexual organ reciprocity in Rourea chrysomalla (Connaraceae), a rare and threatened species from the Brazilian Cerrado. FLORA, v. 314, p. 10-pg., 2024-04-03. (19/03173-0, 23/00985-9, 22/03702-5)