Lucas C. WheelerNew #EvolutionPaper #preprint with @iochromaland on the evolution of the #flavonoid pathway in the Petunieae clade of #Solanaceae. We use multivariate phylogenetic comparative methods to analyze quantitative measures of #GeneExpression and floral flavonoid #pigment content in a phylogenetic context. We find that #evolutionary transitions in floral pigmentation appear to be largely underpinned by shifts in gene expression, and uncover tradeoffs between pathway branches. https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/4991/
We also find evidence for #ConvergentEvolution at the single amino acid scale in the DFR #enzyme of the brightly red-flowered Plowmania nyctaginoides, native to Southern Mexico. A DFR copy in this species has acquired the same AA substitution in the #ActiveSite that contributed to the evolution of enhanced DHK (red pigment precursor) activity in the genus #Iochroma (Solanaceae). This is the only obvious case of likely functional alteration of enzyme specificity in our dataset.