MVM picture

Dr Mario Vallejo-Marin

Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology

Ph.D. - Duke University (2006)
B.Sc. - National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM (2000)

 

Room 4B154, Cottrell Building

Biological & Environmental Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
University of Stirling
Stirling
Scotland, FK9 4LA

 

tel: +44 1786 467822
fax: +44 1786 467843
email: Mario Vallejo-Marin


Research interests Teaching People Publications Opportunities

Research interests

I am interested in determining the role of adaptation in the evolution of plant reproductive strategies. Reproductive strategies determine patterns of gene transfer, and thus are tightly linked to the reproductive success and evolutionary potential of plant populations. Managing and conserving natural populations requires an integrative approach including the study of both ecological interactions and evolutionary dynamics. My goal is to continue my research of the ecology and evolution of reproductive strategies, and expand it to explore the role of adaptive evolution on the origin and maintenance of population differentiation and, ultimately, speciation.

I am currently involved in different research projects addressing the ecology and evolution of plant reproduction, including:

Below I briefly describe three examples of my recent research.

How does pollen-eating favour the division of labour within flowers?

Thousands of species of flowering plants lack nectar and have to use pollen to attract pollinators. Pollen in these species has a dual function: on one hand pollen is the carrier of male gametes and on the other is food consumed by pollinators. In many of these pollen-only species, the male organs (stamens) have been modified to produce two types within the same flower, a phenomenon known to botanists as heteranthery. Using a combination of experimental manipulations and detailed pollinator observations, we have recently demonstrated that this within-flower dimorphism represents the division of labour of pollen into feeding and pollinating functions. In addition, we used theoretical models of the pollination process to show that this functional division of labour can explain the evolutionary maintenance of stamen dimorphism. Our work showed that pollinators can interact in precise ways with the flower, and proved that morphological differences between floral organs result in dramatic changes in the fate of pollen.

Two heterantherous species showing division of labor within flowers. The small anthers serve to attract and feed pollinators, while the large anther participates disproportionately in fertilizing ovules. Left panel: Solanum citrullifolium (Solanaceae) visited by Bombus impatiens.   Solanum rostratum showing a colour polymorphism of the large anther

Two heterantherous species showing division of labor within flowers. The small anthers serve to attract and feed pollinators, while the large anther participates disproportionately in fertilizing ovules. Left panel: Solanum citrullifolium (Solanaceae) visited by Bombus impatiens .

 
Solanum rostratum showing a colour polymorphism of the large anther

Ecological and evolutionary consequences of asexual reproduction in plants

A large number of plant species concurrently reproduce both sexually (via seeds) and clonally (e.g. via tubers, rhizomes, or runners). However, until recently sexual and asexual reproduction were seen as mutually exclusive strategies. I am investigating what are the ecological and evolutionary consequences of mixed sexual and asexual strategies of reproduction. Previously I have used phylogenetic and theoretical approaches to show that plant clonality may have a significant influence on the evolutionary dynamics of particular reproductive strategies. I am currently conducting an investigation to establish the general ecological and evolutionary consequences of clonality for plant sexual reproduction. My collaborators in these projects are Prof. Marcy Uyenoyama, Prof. Spencer Barrett, Dr. Heath O’Brien and Dr. Josef Stuefer.

Massive flowering of a clonal patch of Eichhornia crassipes in a temporary pool in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Massive flowering of a clonal patch of Eichhornia crassipes in a temporary pool in Sinaloa, Mexico.

The genetic architecture of flower morphology in the transition to self-fertilization.

The evolution of selfing from outcrossing in flowering plants is characterized by a series of morphological changes to flowers culminating in the selfing syndrome. However, which morphological traits initiate increased self-pollination and which are accumulated after self-fertilization becomes established is poorly understood. In collaboration with Prof. Spencer Barrett I am investigating this problem by comparing floral morphology among Brazilian populations of Eichhornia paniculata (Pontederiaceae), an annual aquatic that displays variation in traits associated with the evolutionary breakdown of tristyly to semi-homostyly. We are also analyzing segregation patterns of crosses between contrasting genotypes to determine the genetic basis of changes in floral morphology.

Floral modifications associated with the transition towards self-fertilization in Eichhornia paniculata. The image shows parental plants in the left- and right-hand sides, corresponding to outcrossing and self-fertilizing phenotypes, respectively. The F1 offspring is shown in the center.
Floral modifications associated with the transition towards self-fertilization in Eichhornia paniculata. The image shows parental plants in the left- and right-hand sides, corresponding to outcrossing and self-fertilizing phenotypes, respectively. The F1 offspring is shown in the center.

Teaching    
BIO8CG Conservation and Population Genetics  
BIO4BD Biodiversity  
BIO2IP Introduction to Physiology  
BIO3EG Evolution and Genetics  
BIO6PE Plant Ecology  
     
Field Courses    
BIO78FC Field Biology in Southern France  
Students Thesis title Graduation Date
Ph. D . Students    
Lislie Solis-Montero Reproductive biology of an invasive weed and its potential for rapid evolutionary change (funded by Stirling's Horizon fellowship)
expected 2013
Zarah Pattison
Assessing the impact of changing river flows on the distribution and spread of invasive riparian plants (with N. Willby; funded by SNH /SEPA)
expected 2015
     
Undergraduate Students    
    2009
Leeanne Whiteside Academy and gender: What are the causes and consequences of gender-biases in academia?  
    2010
Philip Reilly Division of labour within flowers in Solanum series Pacificum  
Stacey Anderson Does size matter? Experimental test of the efficiency of small- and large-sized pollinators visiting Solanum rostratum flowers  
   
2011
Stephanie Warren Do buzz-pollinated plants compete for pollinators?  
Kirsty McVean Grazing by snails in native and introduced riparian plants  
   
2012
Christopher Chandler Distribution and spread of Mimulus guttatus (Phrymaceae) in Scotland  
Daniel Souto Pollination ecology of buzz-pollinated woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara, Solanaceae)  
Catriona Walker Convergent evolution of small-flowers in heterantherous Solanum Section Androceras  
   
2013
Thomas Booker Ecology and genetics of Mimulus hybrids  
Darryl Cox Natural variation in vibrational properties of British bumblebees  
Stuart Gilmer Behavioural ecology of buzz-pollination  
Michelle Lee Floral variation in Mimulus  
William Smith Inheritance of genetic markers in polyploids  

 

Publications

(click to see the PDF)

   
In press
24. De Luca, P.A. and M. Vallejo-Marin. in press. What’s the “buzz” about? The ecology and evolutionary significance of buzz-pollination. Current Opinion in Plant Biology.  
23. Goulson, D., K. J. Park, M. C. Tinsley, L. F. Bussiere, and M. Vallejo-Marin. in press. Social learning drives handedness in nectar robbing bumblebees. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology. doi 10.1007/s00265-013-1539-0
pdf
   News coverage: The Economist  
22. Vallejo-Marin, M., L. Solis-Montero, D. Souto Vilaros, and M. Y. Q. Lee. in press. Mating system in Mexican populations of the annual herb Solanum rostratum Dunal (Solanaceae). Plant Biology. doi: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2012.00715.x

pdf

Online Early

21. De Luca,P. A., L.F. Bussiere, D. Souto-Vilaros, D. Goulson, A. C. Mason, M. Vallejo-Marin. in press. Variability in bumblebee pollination buzzes affects the quantity of pollen released from flowers. Oecologia.doi 10.1007/s00442-012-2535-1

pdf

Online Early

   
2013
20. Vallejo-Marín, M., and G.C. Lye. 2013. Hybridisation and genetic diversity in introduced Mimulus (Phrymaceae). Heredity.110: 111-122.
pdf
   
2012
19. Vallejo-Marín, M. 2012. Mimulus peregrinus (Phrymaceae): A new British allopolyploid species. Phytokeys. 14:1-14.
pdf
 

News coverage: BBC, Scientific American, Science Daily.

 
   
2011
18. Winn, A. A., E. Elle, S. Kalisz, P. O. Cheptou, C. G. Eckert, C. Goodwillie, M. O. Johnston, D. A. Moeller, R. H. Ree, R. D. Sargent, M. Vallejo-Marín. 2011. Analysis of inbreeding depression in mixed-mating plants provides evidence for selective interference and stable mixed mating. Evolution. 65(12):3339-3359.
pdf
17. Vallejo-Marín, M. L. Solis-Montero, C.F.E. Bacles,O. Lepais. 2011. Thirteen microsatellites developed by SSR-enriched pyrosequencing for Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae) and related species. American Journal of Botany. 98(10): e296-e299.
pdf
   

2010

16. Vallejo-Marín, M. E. M. Da Silva, R. D. Sargent and S. C. H. Barrett. 2010. Trait correlates and functional significance of heteranthery in flowering plants.  New Phytologist. 188: 418-425.
pdf
15. Vallejo-Marín, M. M. E. Dorken and S. C. H. Barrett. 2010. The ecological and evolutionary consequences of clonality for plant mating. Annual Reviews of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 41:193-213
pdf
14. Goodwillie, C., R. D. Sargent, C. G. Eckert, E. Elle,S. Kalisz, M. A. Geber, M. O. Johnston, D. A. Moeller, R. H. Ree, M. Vallejo-Marín and A. A. Winn. 2010. Correlated evolution of mating system and floral display traits in flowering plants and its implications for the distribution of mating system variation. New Phytologist. 185: 311-321.
pdf
13. Eckert, C. G., S. Kalisz, M. A. Geber, R. Sargent, E. Elle, P.O. Cheptou, C. Goodwillie, M. O. Johnston, J. K. Kelly, D. A. Moeller, E. Porcher, R. H. Ree, M. Vallejo-Marín and A. A. Winn. 2010. Plant mating systems in a changing world. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 25:35-43.
pdf
   
2009
12. Barrett, S.C.H., R. W. Ness, and M. Vallejo-Marin. 2009. Evolutionary pathways to self-fertilization in a tristylous plant species. New Phytologist. 183: 546-556.
pdf
11. Vallejo-Marin, M., J.S. Manson, J.D Thomson, and S.C.H. Barrett. 2009. Division of labour within flowers: Heteranthery, a floral strategy to reconcile contrasting pollen fates. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 22: 828-839.
pdf
10. * Vallejo-Marin, M. , and S.C.H. Barrett. 2009. Modification of flower architecture during early stages in the evolution of self-fertilization. Annals of Botany. 103: 951-962.
pdf
9. Aguirre, A., M. Vallejo-Marin, E.M. Piedra-Malagon, R. Cruz-Ortega and R. Dirzo. 2009. Morphological variation in the flowers of Jacaratia mexicana A. DC. (Caricaceae), a subdioecious tree. Plant Biology. 11(3): 417-424.
pdf
8. Johnston, M., E. Porcher, P.O. Cheptou, C.G. Eckert, E. Elle, M. A. Geber, S. Kalisz, J. K. Kelly, D. A. Moeller, M. Vallejo-Marin and A. A. Winn. 2009 . Correlations among fertility components can maintain mixed mating in plants. The American Naturalist. 173(1):1-11.
pdf
   
2008
7.
Vallejo-Marin, M., and M.K. Uyenoyama. 2008. On the evolutionary modification of self-incompatibility: Implications of partial clonality for allelic diversity and genealogical structure. (Ed.) V. E. Franklin-Tong. Self-Incompatibility in Flowering plants: Evolution, Diversity and Mechanisms. Springer. pp 53-71.
pdf
   
2007
6. Vallejo-Marin, M., and M.D. Rausher. 2007. Selection through female fitness helps to explain the maintenance of male flowers. The American Naturalist. 169(5):563-568.
pdf
5. Vallejo-Marin, M., and M.D. Rausher. 2007. The role of male flowers in andromonoecious species: Energetic costs and siring success in Solanum carolinense. Evolution. 61(2):404-412.
pdf
4. Vallejo-Marin, M., and H.E. OBrien. 2007. Correlated evolution of self-incompatibility and clonal reproduction in Solanum. New Phytologist. 173(2): 415-421.
pdf
3. Aguirre, A., M. Vallejo-Marin, L. Salazar Goroztieta, D.M. Arias and R. Dirzo. 2007.Variation in sexual expression in Jacaratia mexicana (Caricaceae) in Southern Mexico: Frequency and relative seed performance of fruit-producing males. Biotropica. 39(1): 79-86.
pdf
   
2006
2. Vallejo-Marin, M., C.A. Dominguez, and R. Dirzo. 2006. Simulated seed predation reveals a variety of germination responses of neotropical rain forest species. American Journal of Botany. 93(3):369-376.   
pdf
   
2004
1. Vallejo-Marin, M., and M.K. Uyenoyama. 2004. On the evolutionary costs of self-incompatibility: incomplete reproductive compensation due to pollen limitation. Evolution. 58(9):1924-1935.
     

* Highlighted for ContectSelect section in Annals of Botany.

Other

Vallejo-Marin, M. 2007. The paradox of clonality and the evolution of self-incompatibility. Plant Signaling & Behavior. 2(4):265-266. (Invited commentary).

 

Student and postdoc opportunities

If you are interested in doing a PhD in my lab or becoming a postdoctoral fellow with me, please get in touch by email.

Currently available positions: No student or postdoc funding available at the moment. Self-funded students or postdocs applicants welcome.

 

SOL 2012

Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae)

Have you seen this plant in the United Kingdom? If so, please fill in this PDF form, or just send me an email.