Search Marsden awards 2008–2017

Recipient(s): Professor WG Lee | PI | Landcare Research
Professor DC Albach | AI | Carl von Ossietzky-University Oldenburg
Dr HM Meudt | AI | Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Dr LR Perrie | AI | Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Dr AJ Tanentzap | AI | University of Cambridge
Dr JA Tate | AI | Massey University Manawatu

Public Summary: Many ferns and flowering plants have accumulated multiple chromosome sets from past hybridisation between species or from genome duplications within a species (whole-genome duplication (WGD)). However, WGD has long been considered an evolutionary dead-end because of the complications and costs linked with growth and reproduction caused by expanded genomes. The paradox of widespread occurrence in spite of a high extinction rate is exemplified by the flora of New Zealand, where over 50% of native vascular plant species originate directly from one or more WGD events. The challenge is to understand why and how WGD plant species are so common in New Zealand and elsewhere. Using native plant lineages that include species derived from WGD events, we will identify the morphological, physiological and genetic changes that enable these species to persist in natural ecosystems. We will investigate species-rich groups with at least three WGD levels representing diverse lifeforms occupying lowland to alpine zones (Asplenium (spleenwort ferns), Poa (grasses), Plantago (plantains), Schizeilema (pennywort), Leptinella (button daisy) and Veronica (hebes)). By means of genomic analyses, eco-physiological measurements, comparative experiments and ecological modelling approaches, we will provide a coherent understanding of how WGD facilitates adaptive evolution and why it is so widespread.