In Defense of Plants Podcast Ep. 541 - Coexistence & Maintaining Species Boundaries
Aug 31, 2025
Dr. Andrea Case, a Professor at Michigan State University specializing in plant biology, dives into the fascinating world of the Lobelia genus. She explores how closely related plant species maintain their boundaries while coexisting, discussing reproductive mechanisms and the complexities of hybridization. The conversation highlights the intricate dynamics of evolution, the importance of fieldwork, and the value of biodiversity in understanding plant interactions. Listeners will be captivated by the unique traits of Lobelia and the critical roles they play in ecosystems.
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Ecology Meets Genetics
- Andrea Case studies how ecological and genetic processes together shape population differences within Lobelia species.
- She highlights gynodioecy as a visible trait revealing geographic genetic structure and ecological correlates.
Mitochondrial Changes Drive Female Plants
- Case found mitochondrial genome rearrangements generate male-sterility genes causing female-only individuals.
- Populations with more scrambled mitochondrial genomes showed higher female frequencies.
Range Overlap Suggests Hybrid Influence
- Overlap between Lobelia species led Case to suspect hybridization might influence female frequencies.
- She expanded the work to study reproductive interactions across 24 Eastern North American Lobelia species.