Ryan O’Donnell - 'Contributions towards understanding the evolution of the Australian terrestrial orchid flora and its associated funga'

The evolutionary histories of plants and fungi are inextricably linked, and no where is this more evident than in the hyperdiverse orchid family (Orchidaceae). All orchids are obligately dependent on their mycorrhizal fungal partners to germinate, and these partnerships are thought to have been a major driver of diversification in the family. Australia is home to some of the world's most charismatic terrestrial orchids. Among these orchids, we can observe a striking degree of orchid-mycorrhizal specificity, where many species associate with only one or two fungal species from a single fungal family. Moreover, Australian terrestrial orchids are also characterised by an unusually high incidence of species pollinated by sexual deception of male insects. As to why such a staggering degree of ecological specificity has evolved both above and below ground in the Australian terrestrial orchid flora remains unknown.

Biography

Ryan is a final year PhD student in the Linde lab in the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University in Canberra. Their PhD research has been focused on the evolution of the Australian terrestrial orchid flora and its associated funga, with close studies of the fungal family Ceratobasidiaceae, and the Greenhood orchids, Pterostylis. Ryan's previous Masters research focused on Australian mint bushes (Prostanthera; Lamiaceae) with the Universtiy of New England. More broadly, Ryan’s research interests span phylogenomics, systematics, taxonomy, and evolutionary ecology. Prior to becoming a scientist, Ryan was a conservatorium-trained opera singer who performed on stages nationally and internationally.

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Ryan O’Donnell - 'Contributions towards understanding the evolution of the Australian terrestrial orchid flora and its associated funga'

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