Evolutionary developmental biology in cycad phenology

Abstract

We recently described lack of phenotypic plasticity in reproductive organ development and substantial plasticity in vegetative organ development for the cycad Cycas micronesica. Is there an evo-devo explanation for the disparity in phenotypic plasticity of vegetative vs. reproductive organs? Despite modularity, might evolution of cycad phenology be controlled more by drift than selection?

Keywords: :

• Cycadaceae
• Cycadales
• endoploidy
• ontogeny
• organ development
• phenology

Acknowledgments

Root Gorelick thanks the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for financial support.