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The Evolution Of Sexual Reproduction In Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), Michael Wright

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), the dodders, is a genus of ca. 200 species of obligate stem parasites distributed across a great diversity of habitats worldwide. The existence of a handful of species that are dangerous crop weeds has led researchers to historically focus on their growth and control. Consequently, there is a dearth of information about their biodiversity, ecology, and in particular their reproductive biology. This thesis surveys aspects of sex allocation, floral evolution, floral rewards for pollinators, and mechanisms of reproductive assurance across the genus. I demonstrate that Cuscuta has evolved a broad spectrum of breeding systems, from obligate selfing to …