­­Evolution of floral morphology and symmetry in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae): multiple generalization trends within a specialized family

Premise of the Research:Analyses of evolution of floral morphology and symmetry broaden our understanding of the drivers of angiosperm diversification. Integrated within a flower, labile floral characters produce different phenotypes that promote variable interactions with pollinators. Thus, investigation of floral evolution may help infer potential historic transitions in pollinator modes and ecological pressures that generated present diversity. This study aims to explore morphological evolution of flowers in Miconieae, a species-rich Neotropical tribe within the Melastomataceae. Despite a constrained floral plan, Melastomataceae manage to achieve a variety of floral phenotypes appealing to diverse pollinator types, with majority of the species requiring specialized “buzz pollination” by bees. However, previous research in Miconieae documented several instances of convergent evolution of phenotypes associated with generalized pollination strategies. We explore floral
morphological ev...