The Diversity of Mariposa Lilies​ a talk by​ Adriana Hernandez

Under natural selection, plant traits often become homogeneous, but how exactly that happens is not well understood. What mechanisms shape and maintain gene flow? How does trait variation occur and how is it maintained across generations and heterogeneous landscapes?
Jasper Ridge scientist Dr. Adriana Hernandez has developed Mariposa lilies (Calochortus sp.) as a model system to investigate the evolution of strikingly diverse floral traits. She uses the highly variable California native species Calochortus venustus to identify and interpret the evolutionary significance of geographical patterns of floral trait variation, genetic diversity, range evolution and the genetic mechanisms underlying climatic adaptation. Her work utilizes comparative methods from population genetics and genomics to identify candidate genes that may be responsible for the morphological diversity observed in this plant.
Dr. Adriana Hernandez is a population biologist who studies the evolution and ecology of California native plants. Her work leverages natural history collections and comparative genomic techniques to help understand the patterns, processes, and mechanisms that drive and maintain biodiversity across the California landscape. Through community science and outreach projects, she also aims to make the botanical sciences more accessible to diverse communities.