#ruschieae

[morgremmings]

Petals like spines, delicate fluttering pinwheels.

[chlorophyll-and-chitin]

Carpobrotus sp.

14-SEP-2022

Melbourne, Vic

[evoldir]

Graduate position: NewcastleU.PlantEvolution

A competitive PhD studentship is available in evolutionary plant genetics at Newcastle University (UK) consistently rated as one of the top 200 universities in the world. This 4-year fellowships provides a full tuition fee waiver, a competitive living stipend, and a considerable research allowance. This PhD studentship is a part of IAPETUS which is the North East of England’s and Scotland’s multidisciplinary Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) for the environmental sciences funded and accredited by NERC http://bit.ly/JmlnY9 Project description Title. Flower power: decoding genetics of flowering for conservation of the South African biodiversity hotspot Supervisory Team Dr Maxim V. Kapralov, Newcastle University http://bit.ly/2A5sGRX Dr Adrian C. Brennan, Durham University http://bit.ly/2hUz5Fp Prof Andrew J. Young, Liverpool John Moores University http://bit.ly/2A5sIt3 Key Words 1. Conservation of Adaptive Potential and Functional Diversity 2. Genetics of Rapid Evolution and Speciation 3. Succulent Karoo / Cape Floristic Kingdom / South Africa Overview Lying within south-western corner of Africa, the Succulent Karoo biome is recognised as one of the World’s most important regions of plant diversity [1]. Here members of the plant family Aizoaceae are especially well adapted to the arid desert environment. This is most evident in the speciose genus Conophytum, a Succulent Karoo specialist consisting of dwarf succulent plants that show a remarkable degree of range-restricted endemism [2]. The Succulent Karoo has been identified as being at high risk from the effects of climate change, with preliminary data suggesting that dwarf succulents may be especially vulnerable [3]. However, we still don’t know the underlying mechanisms that influence the distribution and associated speciation of these species. The aim of this project is to better understand the key drivers of the remarkable radiation within Conophytum. Early molecular phylogenetic analyses of the Aizoaceae family suggested that it represents one of the fastest and largest radiation of any plant group [4]. Within the diverse tribe Ruschieae (71 genera) the Conophytum-clade consists of ten closely-related genera. Intriguingly, floral traits in the genus Conophytum are unusually diverse with variations in flower coloration [5], phenology (seasonality of flowering), and in anthesis (timing of flowering). No other member of Aizoaceae displays such diversity. Presence of nocturnal flowers extremely rare within Aizoaceae but account for the quarter of Conophytum taxa and preliminary work showed that this complex trait evolved multiple times [6]. Conophytum is also characterized by having the vast majority of species flower in the austral autumn, in contrast to when majority of plants flower (the austral winter and spring) within the winter-rainfall region of southwestern Africa. Seasonal shifts in flowering is rare within Conophytum. However, recently the existence of several pairs of morphologically similar species that display differences in phenology has been reported [7], with each species within a pair having a highly restricted distribution (point-endemics). This diversity of flowering time found within a group of closely related species gives us a unique opportunity to elucidate genetic controls in charge of activation of flowering within non-model organisms. Flowering time is an important trait in plants that affects both their life cycles as well as those of pollinator species. Apart from fundamental interest in how this trait evolved, better understanding of it is crucial for both increasing the global crop yield as well as for mitigating the effects of climate change. Despite the important role of flowering time, its underlying pathways are understudied. The PhD candidate will test if shifts in both the seasonality and timing of flowering have been among the major drivers in the ecologically important and highly successful radiation of the genus Conophytum resulting in rapid speciation of 150+ taxa and permitting range expansion. S(he) will decode structure and evolution of transcriptional regulatory network which regulates flowering time in Conophytum using a tool-box of modern genetics. In doing so we will be better equipped for the development of conservation measures that reduce the extinction risk of these vulnerable taxa and preserve their adaptive potential and functional diversity. A PhD candidate will build up on the strength of the decade long collaboration between Prof Andy Young and South African National Biodiversity Institute that resulted in the detailed database of species distribution and their ecology as well as a living collection covering all Conophytum taxa. This project comprises one half of an integrated student network (ISN) built upon the general theme of “Adaptation and conservation in the Succulent Karoo” and is linked with the recently started project at the Liverpool John Moores University entitled “Molecular, physiological and ecological basis of the most successful plant adaptive radiation in the Succulent Karoo, South Africa” analysing the observed diversity within Conophytum with its geographical distribution, and working on how climate change will affect future species diversity in the Succulent Karoo. Methodology This interdisciplinary project will combine plant biology with molecular genetics to support and inform the 21st century conservation objectives. All plant material and species distribution data have been collected previously. The PhD candidate will implement a review of information on flower coloration, seasonality and timing of flowering in Conophytum. S(he) will use the existing Conophytum living collection and state-of-the-art high-through-put analytical facilities at Newcastle University to analyse biochemistry behind highly variable flower coloration across Conophytum. Available RNAseq data from a few Conophytum species in combination with the draft genome of the close Conophytum relative, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, will be used to design primers for the group of candidate genes involved in seasonality and timing of flowering as well as synthesis of pigments involved into flower coloration. These primers will be used for Target Capture for Next Generation Sequencing of approx. 100 candidate genes from all Conophytum species. Obtained gene sets will be analysed for the presence of positive selection within phylogenetic lineages that diverged in flower ecology and/or biochemistry from the ancestral states using computational techniques used by us previously [8]. Candidate loci will be targeted for additional sequencing and genetic analysis, and the phylogenetic approach will be complemented by the population genetics one including high-throughput genotyping by sequencing of multiple individuals from the recently described pairs of morphologically similar species that display differences in flowering phenology [7]. Both neutral and functional genetic diversity will be estimated within Conophytum. All findings will be shared with the South African National Biodiversity Institute to inform national conservation action plans. Training & Skills The student will receive training in the key skills relevant for (1) Taxonomy and systematics: Detailed quantitative trait measures will be required to investigate variation of flower morphology and biochemistry in the target species. (2) Molecular biology and genetics: A wide range of state-of-the-art molecular genetic lab techniques will be developed and applied as part of genetic mapping and screening for candidate genes. (3) Numeracy: A range of statistical methods will be required to understand and interpret the data and combine quantitative and genetic information. (4) Data management: Large quantities of data will be generated during the project, particularly from next generation sequencing methods. Skills for storing, organizing, screening, and analysing this data will be developed. (5) Writing: One of the expected outcomes of this project is high profile publications with the PhD candidate as a leading author. Writing and presenting skills will be developed. The work is highly interdisciplinary allowing the student to tap into and benefit from research, practice and teaching of the relevant research groups at Newcastle university (evolutionary biology and phylogenetics) and Durham university (population genetics), Liverpool John Moores University (taxonomy and systematics), and South African National Biodiversity Institute (conservation). Further support will be provided through Dr Robyn Powell and Dr Adam Harrower (South African National Biodiversity Institute), and Luke Bentley and Dr David Bourke (Liverpool John Moores University). References 1 Mucina et al. 2006 in The Vegetation of South Africa Lesotho and Swaziland SANBI. 221-99; 2 Hammer & Young 2017 in Handbook of Succulents Springer-Verlag. 287-360; 3 Young et al. 2016 J. Arid Environments 129:16-24; 4 Klak et al. 2004 Nature 427:63-5; 5 Thiede et al. 2011 Haseltonia 16:9-15; 6 Powell 2016 PhD thesis, U. Western Cape; 7 Young & Desmet 2016 Bothalia 46; 8 Kapralov et al. 2013 Mol. Biol & Evol. 30:1051-59. Further Information This project is in competition with others for funding. Success will depend on the quality of applications received, relative to those for competing projects. For further information, or if you are interested in applying, contact Dr Kapralov at maxim.kapralov@newcastle.ac.uk (cc Dr Brennan at a.c.brennan@durham.ac.uk, Prof Young at A.J.Young@ljmu.ac.uk). In your email include: 1) a two-page covering letter detailing your reasons for applying and why you have selected this project; 2) your CV with contact information for two references including your most recent/current supervisor; 3) full transcripts of previous qualifications obtained to date. Only the best applicants will be asked to submit an application. The application deadline is 19 January 2018. Students are encouraged to contact Dr Kapralov in advance for consideration.   Maxim Kapralov via Gmail