Evolutionary biology studies on the Iris pumila clonal plant: Advantages of a good model system, main findings and directions for further research

Abstract

Evolutionary studies on the dwarf bearded iris, Iris pumila L., a perennial clonal monocot with hermaphroditic enthomophylous flowers, have been conducted during the last three decades on plants and populations from the Deliblato Sands in Serbia. In this review we discuss the main advantages of this model system that have enabled various studies of several important genetic, ecological, and evolutionary issues at different levels of biological organization (molecular, physiological, anatomical, morphological and population). Based on published research and its resonance in international scientific literature, we present the main findings obtained from these studies, and discuss possible directions for further research.

Keywords

• Evolutionary biology
• evolutionary ecology
• ecological genetics
• genetic variability
• phenotypic plasticity
• adaptations
• model system
• Iris pumila
• natural populations
• Deliblato Sands