2025-OU10 The macroevolution of leaf venation

Project highlights

Development of skills in phylogenetic comparative methods and network science

Potential for fieldwork to collect living and fossil leaves

Exciting blend of specimen-based, theoretical, and computational work

Overview

Leaf venation is a biological distribution network that is strikingly beautiful and highly diverse. Some networks are characterised by a simple tree-like topology in which linear veins bifurcate without reconnecting, while others are characterised by a complex hierarchical reticulate topology in which veins of different sizes branch unequally and reconnect to form loops (Brodbribb et al. 2016). It is thought that different network topologies reflect different design solutions for optimizing transport efficiency, cost of construction, and resistance to damage from processes such as herbivory and embolism (Ronnellenfitsch and Katifori 2019). Therefore, leaf venation is a key trait underlying the incredible biodiversity of vascular plants.

Figure 1: Segment of a Populus leaf with its characteristically complex venation network (from ClearedLeavesDB.org).

Host

The Open University

Theme

Organisms and Ecosystems

Supervisors

Project investigator

Luke Mander, The Open University, [email protected]

Co-investigators

Tom Stubbs, The Open University, [email protected]
Sidonie Bellot, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, [email protected]

How to apply

Each host has a slightly different application process.
Find out how to apply for this studentship.
All applications must include the CENTA application form.
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Methodology

Relatively simple topologies appeared early in the history of plant evolution and are found in plants such as Ginkgo, while more complex topologies are found in the leaves of flowering plants (angiosperms) such Populus shown in Figure 1. However, there is a lack of basic data on the macroevolutionary history that underlies these two end-members. Consequently, it is unclear whether the macroevolution of venation architecture is characterised by a smooth expansion in complexity through time, or whether there were periods where complexity rose or fell markedly in response to changing functional demands, potentially linked to external drivers such as climate change or herbivore diversity (see Leslie et al. 2021 for a recent analysis of the history of morphological complexity in land plants).

The overall goal of this project is to uncover and quantify the macroevolutionary history of venation architecture, by mapping morphological traits related to leaf venation onto a phylogeny of vascular plants. The project has three specific objectives: (1) to reconstruct the pattern of leaf venation evolution in vascular plants, integrating data from fossils and living plants; (2) to determine the rate at which key venation traits such as reticulation evolve, and to assess whether this is consistent through geological time, and across major groups such as ferns and flowering plants; (3) to test whether complex reticulate network topologies may be an outcome of selection for resistance to damage by examining network robustness and the degree to which venation architecture evolved in concert with herbivorous insects as part of the Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution (Benton et al. 2022; Mander and Williams 2024).

Training and skills

DRs will be awarded CENTA Training Credits (CTCs) for participation in CENTA-provided and ‘free choice’ external training. One CTC can be earned per 3 hours training, and DRs must accrue 100 CTCs across the three and a half years of their PhD.

This interdisciplinary project has been designed to provide transferrable scientific skills at the interface between Earth science, evolutionary biology and network science. For an Earth science or biology graduate the project offers an opportunity to develop skills in phylogenetic comparative methods, as well as programming and data wrangling skills that are important in both academia and industry. For a computer science or mathematics graduate with a strong interest in organismal and evolutionary biology, this project offers an opportunity to develop practical skills in fieldwork and laboratory work including specimen preparation and imaging, as well as evolutionary theory and methods.

The School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences at the OU has a thriving community of researchers who have a strong track record of publications in the Earth and Biological sciences. Full training and development in all aspects of the project will be provided by the supervisory team as required.

Partners and collaboration

This project involves collaboration with Dr Sidonie Bellot (Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew), and the successful student will visit the botanical garden and herbarium for the purpose of sampling, and Dr Bellot for the purpose of discussing plant traits and their evolution.

Further details

Please contact Luke Mander ([email protected]) or Tom Stubbs ([email protected]) for further information and informal discussion about this project.

Students should have a strong background in Earth science or biology and enthusiasm for plants. Experience of undertaking independent fieldwork and research work in a laboratory is desirable. A driving license would be beneficial for fieldwork. The student will join a well-established team researching ecology and evolution at The Open University.

To apply to this project: 

You must include a CENTA studentship application form, downloadable from: CENTA Studentship Application Form 2025.

You must include a CV with the names of at least two referees (preferably three) who can comment on your academic abilities.

Your application materials, including the CENTA Studentship Application Form 2025, your CV and the Open University application form must be emailed to [email protected]. Instructions on how to apply to the Open University are to be found on https://www5.open.ac.uk/stem/environment-earth-ecosystem-sciences/research/phd-students/current-opportunities-and-how-apply, please ensure you read this webpage before applying as you will need to obtain the relevant OU application form from here. Please quote CENTA 2025-OU10 when completing the application form.

 Applications must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 8th January 2025. 

Possible timeline

Year 1

Examine living and fossil leaves in herbaria (e.g. Kew Gardens) and museum collections, collect more material where necessary. Process and image leaves in OU laboratories where necessary. Score living and fossil venation networks for key morphological traits.

Year 2

Construct phylogeny of vascular plants, including both fossil and living representatives. Analyse images of leaf venation in living and fossil plants to assess their robustness to damage, and generate a narrative of herbivorous insect evolution to compare with venation evolution.

Year 3

Map venation traits onto the phylogeny of vascular plants in order to reconstruct their evolutionary history and determine the rate at which they evolve. Compare the record of venation trait evolution with the record of herbivorous insect evolution to test for co-evolutionary relationships. Presentation of results at an international conference. Write up thesis.