Exploring global patterns of apomixis in Pteris

When it only takes one to tango: Assessing the impact of apomixis in the fern genus Pteris

Kathryn T. Picard, Hannah Ranft, Amanda L. Grusz, Michael D. Windham, and Eric Schuettpelz
American Journal of Botany

We are delighted to announce the publication of Kathryn Picard’s study exploring the global distribution of obligate apomixis in Pteris L. (Pteridaceae), now out in the American Journal of Botany. Picard worked with undergraduate super star, Hannah Ranft, to conduct a global survey of reproductive mode using fern specimens deposited at the National Museum of Natural History (US).

https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajb2.1761

In this study, Picard generated new data on reproductive mode for more than 157 species of Pteris. Leveraging new observations from herbarium specimens, combined with previously published reports of reproductive mode for the genus, Kathryn conducted phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses to infer frequent transitions from sex to apomixis across the clade, further exposing the uneven phylogenetic and geographic distribution of this reproductive syndrome across Pteris, with the highest frequencies observed in the monsoonal Paleotropics.

Dense clusters of sporangia, Pteris praestantissima, Photo credit: Jessica Lira

Here, Picard lays the groundwork for future studies of reproductive mode, exploring the impact of abiotic conditions on the repeated evolution of apomixis, within Pteris and among ferns as a whole. Keep your eyes peeled for more studies using data gathered from the treasure trove of botanical specimens at the National Museum of Natural History (US)!

Congratulations, Kathryn (@twistedchytrid), on a job well done!