Evidence for selectively constrained 3D flower shape evolution in a Late Miocene clade of Malagasy Bulbophyllum orchids

Author(s)
Silvia Artuso, Alexander Gamisch, Yannick M. Staedler, Jürg Schönenberger, Hans Peter Comes
Abstract

Questions concerning the evolution of complex biological structures are central to the field of evolutionary biology. Yet, still little information is known about the modes and temporal dynamics of three-dimensional (3D) flower shape evolution across the history of clades. Here, we combined high-resolution X-ray computed tomography with 3D geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods to test models of whole-flower shape evolution in the orchid family, using an early Late Miocene clade (c. 50 spp.) of Malagasy Bulbophyllum as model system. Based on landmark data of 38 species, our high-dimensional model fitting decisively rejects a purely neutral mode of evolution, suggesting instead that flower shapes evolved towards a primary adaptive optimum. Only a small number of recently evolved species/lineages attained alternative shape optima, resulting in an increased rate of phenotypic evolution. Our findings provide evidence of constrained 3D flower shape evolution in a small-sized clade of tropical orchids, resulting in low rates of phenotypic evolution and uncoupled trait-diversification rates. We hypothesise that this deep imprint of evolutionary constraint on highly complex floral structures might reflect long-term (directional and/or stabilizing) selection exerted by the group's main pollinators (flies).

Organisation(s)
Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
External organisation(s)
Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg
Journal
New Phytologist
Volume
232
Pages
853-867
No. of pages
15
ISSN
0028-646X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17643
Publication date
2021
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106008 Botany, 106012 Evolutionary research, 106042 Systematic botany
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Physiology, Plant Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/evidence-for-selectively-constrained-3d-flower-shape-evolution-in-a-late-miocene-clade-of-malagasy-bulbophyllum-orchids(e52605a3-cf69-4f15-8f8d-2279891b30b6).html