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Reproductive Isolation in Columbines

By J. Phil Gibson

Reproductive Isolation in Columbines


 

Abstract

This clicker case uses plant-pollinator interactions in columbines as a biological scenario to teach students about evolution, reproductive isolation, and angiosperm reproduction. The case is based on an approach to evolution education called tree-thinking that emphasizes the construction, interpretation, and evaluation of phylogenetic trees as an approach to addressing biological and evolutionary questions. It also presents basic concepts of structure-function relationships in flowers and how this influences behavior and effectiveness of different pollinators. Designed for use in a large introductory level class, the case could also be used in smaller classes and in upper-level courses. It is appropriate for use in units on evolution, floral biology, or multispecies interactions.

   

Date Posted

10/24/2012

Overview

Objectives

  • Describe how phylogenetic trees represent hypotheses about relationships among species that can be used to address evolutionary questions.
  • Understand how species represent different lineages that have diverged from a common ancestor.
  • Explain how floral features influence pollinator behavior and shape reproductive isolation in plants.

Keywords

Plants; flowers; columbines; Aquilegia pubescens; Aquilegia formosa; species concepts; tree-thinking; pollinators; pollination; mutualism

  

Subject Headings

Biology (General)
Botany / Plant Science
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

  

FORMAT

PDF, PowerPoint

   

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Clicker, Interrupted

 

 

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