Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Polyploidy is pervasive in plants and repeated evolution of polyploidy has been one of the major causes of plant diversification. Polyploid plants tend to be larger and better at flourishing in early succession habitats. In plant breeding, more vigorous and best thriving plants are selected for. Thus, many ornamental plants that are major weeds now (e.g. lantana,) may have unintentionally been bred to a higher level of ploidy.
The proposed study will evaluate the ploidy levels among morphologically and genetically varying populations of two weeds (cat's claw creeper and bellyache bush) that were originally introduced as ornamentals in Australia and compared to non-invasive counterparts. Ploidy levels will be compared to morphological characters (e.g., pod size in cat's claw creeper, petiole colour in bellyache bush) and/or susceptibility to herbivory. The results will be used in the biological control of genetically and morphologically distinct populations of cat's claw creeper and bellyache bush in Australia. This project will enable a student to develop essential techniques and skills in plant anatomy, particularly in the areas of histology.
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT External Dr Kunjithapatham Dhileepan (Alan Fletcher Research Station, DEEDI)
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor.
Dr Tanya Scharaschkin
