Fabled oaks hope

Two aspects of the genetics of floral traits in Aquilegia have been studied: flower color and flower development. A recent comparative study showed that species that did not produce floral anthocyanins (the red and blue pigments in most flowers) also had significantly lower expression levels for multiple genes needed to produce the pigments. However, crossing studies suggest that a single gene is usually responsible for losses of these pigments. Taken together, this suggests that changes in flower color are usually due to mutations in transcription factors that control the expression of multiple steps in the biochemical pathway rather than changes in the amino acid sequences of enzymes. Other studies have focused on the genetic basis for Aquilegia's novel floral organs, especially the staminodia. This work has found that ancient duplication events in the genes that normally produce stamen identity may have facilitated the evolution of the novel staminodium identity program. Additional tools for functional genetics, including RNAi and transgenics, are currently being optimized in Aquilegia and will greatly facilitate the development of these lines of research. (2007). Virus-induced gene silencing as a tool for functional analyses in the emerging model plant Aquilegia (columbine, Ranunculaceae). Plant Meth. 3, 6. Elaboration of B gene function to include the identity of novel floral organs in the lower eudicot Aquilegia (Ranunculaceae). constraint and the role of gene expression during adaptive radiation: floral anthocyanins in Aquilegia. Armada, but these trees were already considered too old to provide useful timber, and so were left standing. Given their parlous present state, a rescue plan has been drawn up by conservationists which includes a £59 million bid to the country's lottery fund this winter with the aim of planting 250,000 new oaks to link the surviving fragments and create new stretches of equally important grazed open heath. The restoration of the forested regions remains a paramount goal for conservationists. Ancient maps studied by archaeologist, Ursula Spence, show that at the time when Robin Hood was believed to be living in the forest, should he have fled he would have been able to ride under cover to Sheffield 80 kilometres away. Now he would barely manage five kilometres. But beyond the Robin Hood stories, the minimal disturbance amongst the remaining fragments has also created a wildlife refuge. Several beetles are found here and nowhere else in Britain and many other rare species are home here. Conservationists are hoping the …