Silene serpentinicola in the sunlight, Del Norte Co, CA 2021
Floral trait evolution from micro- to macroevolutionary scales
I am joining the Department of Biology at James Madison University in the fall of 2024! I’m currently recruiting undergraduate and masters students to work on Silene speciation projects. I’m also interested in supporting potential postdoctoral researchers in applying for independent funding.
In the Berardi lab, we study the role of floral color in the speciation process, ranging from micro- to macroevolutionary patterns. Right now, the current lab project focuses on why red floral color in Silene (Caryophyllaceae) is rare, geographically restricted, and in polyploid lineages. Of the ~700 Silene species, only nine produce truly red flowers. Eight of the red-flowering species belong to polyploid lineages and are restricted to North and Central America. To determine the driver(s) of red floral color evolution are in Silene (pollinator shifts, sympatric competition, or polyploidy), we use phylogenetics, biochemistry, molecular and functional genetics, and field work. Come join us!
Contact Information:
email: berardae (at) jmu.edu
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