The Origin and Evolution of Botanical Spirals
Dr Sandy Hetherington, University of Edinburgh
Date: Thursday, 28 November 2024 18:00 – 20:00, Edinburgh
Venue: Anatomy Lecture Theater, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Title: The Origin and Evolution of Botanical Spirals
Abstract: The origin and early evolution of two of the most iconic spiral forms observed in plants: Fibonacci series spirals and fiddlehead ferns. Botanical spirals are all around us in nature, whether in the head of a sunflower, the bracts of a pinecone or the unfurling fronds of ferns. Given how common they are today we might assume that they have been key features of land plants since their origins over 475 million years ago. To test this hypothesis, we must turn to the plant fossil record.
In this lecture Dr Sandy Hetherington will describe recent research carried out in his lab that aims to determine the origin and early evolution of two of the most iconic spiral forms observed in plants; first spirals that adhere to the famous Fibonacci series and second the tightly coiled croziers or fiddleheads of ferns. In both cases, the scientists use modern imaging approaches to shine new light on historic fossils from the United Kingdom. The work showcases the importance of preserving and researching historic collections and the power of combining studies of living and fossil plants.
Please use the following sign-up link for this lecture:
Please do consider a donation. Even the smallest donation goes a long way in helping us deliver our nature outreach work.
Bio: Dr Sandy Hetherington is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow in the Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. He is an evolutionary palaeobiologist who studies the origin and early diversification of land plants. His work combines studies of both fossil and living plants and this interdisciplinary approach has led to him being awarded the 2018 Irene Manton Prize from the Linnean Society and a Philip Leverhulme Prize in 2023.
