Publications by authors named "Ana Maria Rocha De Almeida"

Gene model for the ortholog of Downstream of raf1 ( ) in the May 2011 (Broad dper_caf1/DperCAF1) Genome Assembly (GenBank Accession: GCA_000005195.1 ) of . This ortholog was characterized as part of a developing dataset to study the evolution of the Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS) across the genus using the Genomics Education Partnership gene annotation protocol for Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences.

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Selection together with variation in floral traits can act to mold floral form, often driven by a plant's predominant or most effective pollinators. To investigate the evolution of traits associated with pollination, we developed a phylogenetic framework for evaluating tempo and mode of pollination shifts across the genus L., known for its evolutionary toggle between traits related to bee and bird pollination.

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The evolution of floral morphology in the monocot order Zingiberales shows a trend in which androecial whorl organs are progressively modified into variously conspicuous "petaloid" structures with differing degrees of fertility. Petaloidy of androecial members results from extensive laminarization of an otherwise radially symmetric structure. The genetic basis of the laminarization of androecial members has been addressed through recent candidate gene studies focused on understanding the spatiotemporal expression patterns of genes known to be necessary to floral organ formation.

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Background: The development of petal-like organs has occurred repetitively throughout angiosperm evolution. Despite homoplasy, it is possible that common underlying molecular mechanisms are repeatedly recruited to drive the development of petaloid organs. In Zingiberales, infertile, petal-like structures replace fertile stamens, resulting in petaloidy in androecial whorls.

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The molecular genetic mechanisms underlying abaxial-adaxial polarity in plants have been studied as a property of lateral and flattened organs, such as leaves. In leaves, laminar expansion occurs as a result of balanced abaxial-adaxial gene expression. Over- or under- expression of either abaxializing or adaxializing genes inhibits laminar growth, resulting in a mutant radialized phenotype.

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