Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Dauphinee, Adrian [1], Lacroix, Christian [2], Gunawardena, Arunika [3].

Comparison of the early developmental morphologies of Aponogeton madagascariensis and Aponogeton boivinianus.

The lace plant (Aponogeton madagascariensis) is an aquatic monocot from the rivers of Madagascar. The lace plant has mature leaves that are perforated and is the only species having this unique morphology within its family. These holes, or fenestrations are created via developmentally regulated programmed cell death (PCD), which is a crucial process for the maintenance and organization of the plant body. The lace plant provides an excellent model system for studying developmental PCD due to its nearly transparent leaves that are facilitate live cell imaging and the spatiotemporal predictability of perforation formation. The lace plant has been employed to study PCD in vivo and a timeline for the cellular processes that lead to death has been described. Additionally, the phytohormone ethylene has recently been implicated in PCD signalling during perforation formation. Aponogeton boivinianus is a relative of the lace plant that grows under similar environmental conditions, but differs drastically in terms of leaf morphology. The mature leaves of A. boivinianus are bullate, having a blistered appearance and there is no PCD occurring during leaf development. The aim of the current study is to analyze and compare the early development of leaves between these two species. The shoot apical meristems (SAMs), young leaves, flowers and associated plant structures were investigated using compound light, scanning electron and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The resulting micrographs and 3D projections reveal the differences and similarities between these species in terms of early development. Additionally, plants were treated with the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and compared to controls using the same microscopy techniques in order to determine whether or not ethylene has any effects on the SAM or early leaf development within lace plants.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Dalhousie University, Biology, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, CAN
2 - UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, Department of Biology, 550 UNIVERSITY AVE, CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
3 - Dalhousie University, Life Science Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada

Keywords:
lace plant
shoot apical meristem
Confocal laser scanning microscopy
Scanning electron microscopy.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 47
Location: Jasperwood/Riverside Hilton
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
Time: 2:45 PM
Number: 47006
Abstract ID:911
Candidate for Awards:Katherine Esau Award