Study Systems

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Solanum sect. Lycopersicon

Solanum sect. Lycopersicon

includes the domesticated tomato (centre) and a dozen ecologically, phenotypically, and biochemically diverse wild relatives. The wild species are found from Ecuador to Chile along the Andean slopes and north-western coast of South America. (Image: TGRC)
Manduca sexta

Solanum

Wild tomato species differ in their defense responses to Manduca — a natural herbivore specialist on Solanaceous species. Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) on flower buds of Solanum habrochaites. (Image D. Haak)
A pollinated style (female reproductive tract) from Solanum

Solanum

A pollinated style (female reproductive tract) from Solanum, stained to visualize pollen tube growth following pollination. Inset: Cross section of S. habrochaites flower. Solanum exhibit mate choice, where pollen can be rejected within the style, depending on their genotype and/or species identity. (Images: CJ Jewell)
A pollen tube emerges from the base of the style (lower left) and grows

Solanum

In vitro assay of pollen tube behavioral responses to ovule chemoattraction. A pollen tube emerges from the base of the style (lower left) and grows across the media toward one of three available ovules. (Image: CJ Jewell)
flowers close in the evening (left panel) and open in the morning (right panel)

Solanum

Wild tomatoes have diurnal reproductive behavior, where flowers close in the evening (left panel) and open in the morning (right panel). (Image: CJ Jewell)
Jaltomata Flower

Jaltomata

Red-nectar is a novel trait derived within Jaltomata, thought to function as a bird attractant. J. calliantha campanulate (cup-shaped) flower, with red coloured nectar. (Image: J. Kostyun)
Campanulate flower morphology

Jaltomata

Campanulate flower morphology, where petals are fused and curved to make a cup- or bell-shaped flower, is a derived trait in Jaltomata.
J. dendroidea campanulate flower, with red coloured nectar. (Image: J. Kostyun)
Jaltomata

Jaltomata

Rotate, white, bee pollinated flowers are thought to be ancestral in Jaltomata.
J. repandidentata female (pistillate) and hermaphrodite stage flowers. (Image: J. Kostyun)
J. umbellata short-tubular flowers, with red colored nectar

Jaltomata

J. umbellata short-tubular flowers, with red colored nectar. (Image: J. Kostyun))
Drosophila cardini

Drosophila

Abdominal pigment variation in the Drosophila cardini group (Images: D. Castillo)
A green eye marker (two right flies) can be used to distinguish progeny

Drosophila

A green eye marker (two right flies) can be used to distinguish progeny sired by different fathers, in multiply mated females (Image: D Castillo)
Intromittent organ from Drosophila polymorpha

Drosophila

Intromittent organ from Drosophila polymorpha, a member of the cardini group (Image: D. Castillo)
Early mitosis in a Drosophila lumeii

Drosophila

Early mitosis in a Drosophila lumeii × D. virilis F1 hybrid (Image: D. Castillo)