About this Program
This project aims to identify the genetic sources of adaptive variation in nature in the iconic group of plants known as kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos) from the internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot of Western Australia.
This scholarship supports PhD research into how flower color evolves across adaptive landscapes using genomic analyses in order to enhance horticultural knowledge and understanding of the evolutionary process.
This PhD scholarship is part of an ARC funded project where this research will generate critical knowledge and resources to will help industry more rapidly develop robust (eg drought tolerant and disease resistant) varieties of kangaroo paws with exciting new colors that are highly marketable.
From a conservation perspective, we will identify where critical adaptive variation is located in nature. This project will also generate new insights into the genetic basis of convergent trait evolution and the role of flower color in adaptive radiations.
In this project we will:
- generate genome assemblies using long-read sequencing to understand the deep evolutionary history of kangaroo paws
- identify the genetic basis of several color changes using genetic mapping, transcriptomics together with detailed chemical and phenotypic dissection of color expression
- re-sequence whole genomes across subspecies showing recent color changes to understand the genetic origins of recent adaptive radiations – in order to disentangle parallel evolution from hybridization
- use this data to understand how flower color contributes to species evolution and barriers to gene flow across hybrid zones.
Availability
This scholarship is available to eligible candidates to undertake a direct entry three-year PhD program.
