Developmental Plant Morphology

The study of specific plant structures from a developmental perspective:

• has played an essential role in analyses dealing with evolutionary ideas
• can highlight relationships between structures with similar developmental pathways
• plays a complementary role in our understanding of the molecular aspects of plant development involving the activity of specific genes.

Current Research Interests

Leaf complexity in seed-bearing plants: Developmental comparisons between early stages of development of a shoot system and a leaf consisting of subunits called leaflets (compound leaf) support the idea that similar developmental processes are in operation (i.e. compound leaves exhibit partial shoot features).

Current projects :

• a comparative study of species with highly complex compound leaves to complement previous studies.
• the characterization of transitions in leaf arrangement and morphology in juvenile plants.
• the initiation of a study of leaf development of highly dissected leaves of Myriophyllum aquaticum to explore developmental similarities between compound and 'complex' simple leaves.

Developmental aspects of floral organ identity: Homeosis is a phenomenon defined broadly as the assumption of characteristics of one part of an organism by another part of that organism. In the context of floral development, this refers to the growth of specific types of floral organs on whorls or sectors where they would normally not develop. Homeotic floral forms have been used to gain a better understanding of: (1) the developmental events involved in the formation of flowers, and (2) the possible evolutionary processes that are responsible for the diversity of floral morphologies.

Current projects:

• the characterization of floral organ initiation and identification of floral organ identity gene homologues in Hibiscus
  rosa-sinensis
• quantification of floral organ substitutions in bisexual flowers in a variety of Aroid species

Biology of Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster: Symphiotrichum laurentianum is a plant designated as of special concern in Canada by the Committee on Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Our main goal is to further determine the vulnerability of this rare species by studying specific aspects of its biology.

Current projects:

• Evaluate the extent of the seed bank for the Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster at selected sites within the PEI National Park and determine the viability of seeds within the seed bank and on mature plants by using histological techniques.
• Characterize the early stages of floral development by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and making general observations in situ.