Dr Glenda Vaughton
Senior Lecturer (Plant Reproductive Ecology and Evolutionary Ecology), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, School of Environmental and Rural Sciences
Contact
| Email: | gvaughto@une.edu.au |
| Room: | S2 |
| Phone: | 02 6773 2595 (or +61 2 6773 2595 overseas) |
| Fax: | 02 6773 3283 |
Areas of Teaching
BIOL 120 (Biology II)
AGRO 211 (Ecology and adaptation of agricultural plants)
EVOL 211/ EVOL 311(Evolution and biogeography)
ECOL 307 (Ecology of plant populations)
Supervision of Honours, Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD projects.
Please contact me if you are interested in pursuing a project in plant reproductive ecology or evolutionary ecology.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the ecological and genetic factors that shape patterns of variation in reproductive traits in natural plant populations. This research integrates manipulative studies in the field and glasshouse, and laboratory-based tools such as microscopy and electrophoresis. The dual focus of ecology and genetics provides opportunities to conduct both theoretical and applied research.
Current research projects:
- Sex expression and the evolution of gender dimorphism
- Ecology and evolution of selfing and reproductive assurance
- Evolutionary ecology of heterostyly
- Allocation to reproduction and tradeoffs
- Population demography and reproduction of (a) rare species and (b) invasive species
 | In dioecious Wurmbea dioica, male flowers are larger than female flowers and males receive 50% more visits by pollinators than females. Males with larger flowers achieve higher reproductive success than plants with smaller flowers, supporting the view that selection for larger flower size has occurred through male function rather than female function. | |
 | Geographic variation in sexual systems occurs in Wurmbea biglandulosa. Populations occurring in drier sites are gynodioecious and contain both females and hermaphrodites. Populations in wetter sites are cosexual and contain only hermaphroditic plants |  |
 | In Hibiscus trionum, stigmas are upright when flowers first open but recurve at the end of floral life allowing self-fertilisation. Delayed selfing in this weedy annual is advantageous because it allows outcrossing but also provides reproductive assurance in the absence of pollinators. |  |
 | Quantifying the relative importance of pollen quantity and quality in limiting seed set is necessary to understand the functional significance and evolution of floral traits. In Burchardia umbellata, deposition of genetically related pollen on stigmas causes interference in the style and ovary, and reduces cross-fertilisation. | |
 | Populations of Christmas Bells (Blandfordia grandiflora) have evolved different breeding systems. In tableland populations where avian pollinators are scarce, plants are self-fertile. By contrast, in coastal sites where avian pollinators are abundant, plants are self-infertile. | |
 | The nitrogen and phosphorous content of seeds increases with seed size in Banksia marginata and B. spinulosa, and larger seeds produce larger seedlings than small seeds. Although stabilising selection should eliminate seed mass variation within plants, such variation persists because resource constraints limit the ability of plants to control individual seed size. | |
 | Pollinator unpredictability is thought to favour evolutionary shifts in breeding systems from outcrossing to autonomous selfing, which provides reproductive assurance. We are currently investigating the role of variable pollinator environments in the evolution of delayed, autonomous selfing in the genus Bulbine. |  |
 | Distyly is a sexual system in which two floral morphs differ reciprocally in anther and stigma heights. This sexual system functions to promote proficient pollen dispersal and to reduce selfing. To understand the evolutionary ecology of distyly, we are investigating distylous, homostylous and sexually sterile populations of Nymphoides species. |  |
Short style (thrum) | Long style (pin) |
Research Interests (2)
People in the lab
Dr Mike Ramsey, a research fellow in the Lab, emasculating flowers of
Wurmbea biglandulosa to investigate the evolution of gender dimorphism
Kathy Owen pollinating Bulbine bulbosa plants
Robert Gibson counting seeds following pollinations of Drosera flowers
Namgay Lhamo attending an experiment on density- and frequency-dependent inbreeding
depression in Hibiscus trionum in the Botany glasshouse
Shanti Virgona scoring seedling recruitment of Banksia marginata
and B. spinulosa at Gibraltar Range National Park
Leah Seed studying Hibiscus trionum which is a major weed in cotton crops
Ian Simpson examining experimental Bulbine vagans plants
Publications
Vaughton G, Ramsey M and Simpson I (2008) Does selfing provide reproductive assurance in the perennial herb Bulbine vagans (Asphodelaceae)? Oikos 117: 390-398.
2007
Owen K, Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2007) Facilitated autogamy and costs of selfing in the perennial herb Bulbine bulbosa (Asphodelaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 168: 579-585.
Ramsey M and Vaughton G (2006) Inbreeding avoidance and the evolution of gender dimorphism in Wurmbea biglandulosa (Colchicaceae). Evolution 60: 529-537.
Ramsey M and Vaughton G (2006) Does inbreeding avoidance maintain gender dimorphism in Wurmbea dioica (Colchicaceae)? Journal of Evolutionary Biology 19: 1497-1506.
Lhamo N, Ramsey M and Vaughton G (2006) Density- and frequency-dependent inbreeding depression in the Australian annual Hibiscus trionum var. vesicarius. Evolutionary Ecology Research 8: 717-730.
Seed L, Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2006) Delayed autonomous selfing in the Australian annual Hibiscus trionum (Malvaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 54: 27-34.
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2006) Selfed seed set and inbreeding depression in obligate seeding populations of Banksia marginata. Proceeding of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 127: 19-25.
Virgona S, Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2006) Habitat segregation of Banksia shrubs at Gibraltar Range National Park. Proceeding of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 127: 39-47.
2004
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2004) Dry environments promote the establishment of females in monomorphic populations of Wurmbea biglandulosa (Colchicaceae). Evolutionary Ecology 18: 323-341.
2003
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2003) Self-compatibility and floral biology in subdioecious Wurmbea dioica (Colchicaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 51: 39-45.
Ramsey M, Seed L and Vaughton G (2003) Delayed selfing and low levels of inbreeding depression in Hibiscus trionum (Malvaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 51: 275-281.
2002
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2002) Gender variation and the evolution of gynodioecy in Wurmbea biglandulosa (Colchicaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 232: 167-179.
Ramsey M and Vaughton G (2002) Maintenance of gynodioecy in Wurmbea biglandulosa (Colchicaceae): gender differences in seed production and progeny success. Plant Systematics and Evolution 232: 189-200.
2001
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2001) Variation in summer dormancy in the lilioid geophyte Burchardia umbellata (Colchicaceae). American Journal of Botany 88: 1223-1229.
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (2001) Relationships between seed mass, seed nutrients and seedling growth inBanksia cunninghamii (Proteaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 162: 599-606.
Ramsey M and Vaughton G (2001) Sexual dimorphism and gender expression in subdioecious Wurmbea dioica (Colchicaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 162: 589-597.
2000
Ramsey Mand Vaughton G (2000) Pollen quality limits seed set in Burchardia umbellata (Colchicaceae). American Journal of Botany: 87: 845-852.
Prakash N and Ramsey M (2000) Embryological development in Blandfordia and Neostelia with comments on their systematic position. pp. 214-217. In: K. L. Wilson and D. A. Morrison (eds), Monocots: systematics and evolution. CSIRO, Melbourne.
1998
Vaughton G (1998) Soil seed bank dynamics in a rare obligate seeding shrub, Grevilleabarklyana (Proteaceae). Australian Journal of Ecology 23: 375-384.
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (1998) Sources and consequences of seed mass variation in the obligate-seeding shrub Banksia marginata (Proteaceae). Journal of Ecology 86: 563-573.
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (1998) Floral display, pollinator visitation and reproductive success in the dioecious perennial herb Wurmbea dioica. Oecologia 115: 93-101.
Ramsey M and Vaughton G (1998) Effect of environment on the magnitude of inbreeding depression in seed germination in a partialy self-fertile perennial herb (Blandfordia grandiflora, Liliaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 159: 98-104.
1997
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (1997) Seed mass variation in the shrub Banksia spinulosa (Proteaceae): resource constraints and pollination effects. International Journal of Plant Sciences 158: 424-431.
Ramsey M (1997) No evidence for costs of seed production in the pollen-limited perennial herb, Blandfordia grandiflora (Liliaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 158: 785-793.
1996
Vaughton G (1996) Pollination disruption by European honeybees in the Australian bird-pollinated shrub, Grevillea barklyana (Proteaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution, 200: 89-100.
Ramsey M and Vaughton G (1996) Inbreeding depression and pollinator availability in a partially self-fertile perennial herb (Blandfordia grandiflora, Liliaceae). Oikos 76: 465-474.
1995
Vaughton G (1995) No evidence of selective fruit abortion in the Australian shrub, Grevillea barklyana (Proteaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences, 156: 417-424.
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (1995) Pollinators and seed production. pp. 475-490. In: J. Kigel and G. Galili (eds), Seed development and germination. Marcel Dekker, NY.
Ramsey M (1995) Causes and consequences of seasonal variation in pollen limitation ofseed production in Blandfordia grandiflora (Liliaceae). Oikos 73: 49-58.
Ramsey M (1995) Ovule pre-emption and pollen limitation in a self-fertile perennial herb (Blandfordia grandiflora, Liliaceae). Oecologia 103: 101-108.
Ramsey M (1995) Ant pollination in the perennial herb Blandfordia grandiflora (Liliaceae). Oikos 74: 265-272.
1994
Ramsey M, Cairns S and Vaughton G (1994) Geographic variation in morphological and reproductive characters of coastal and tableland populations of Blandfordia grandiflora, Liliaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution 192: 215-230.
1993
Vaughton G and Carthew SM (1993) Evidence for selective abortion in Banksia spinulosa (Proteaceae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 50: 35-46.
Vaughton G (1993) Non-random patterns of fruit set in Banksia spinulosa (Proteaceae): Interovary competition within and among inflorescences. International Journal of Plant Sciences 154: 304-311.
Ramsey M (1993) Floral morphology, biology and sex allocation in disjunct populations of Christmas bells (Blandfordia grandiflora, Liliaceae) with different breeding systems. Australian Journal of Botany 41: 749-762.
Ramsey M, Prakash N and Cairns S (1993) Breeding systems of disjunct populations of Christmas bells (Blandfordia grandiflora R. Br., Liliaceae): variation in self-fertility and an ovular mechanism regulating self-fertilisation. Australian Journal of Botany 41: 35-47.
1992
Vaughton G (1992) The effectiveness of honeyeaters and honeybees as pollinators of Banksia spinulosa (Proteaceae). Australian Journal of Ecology 17: 43-50.
1991
Vaughton G (1991) Variation among years in pollen and nutrient limitation of fruit set in Banksia spinulosa (Proteaceae). Journal of Ecology 79: 389-400.
Vaughton G and Ramsey M (1991) Floral biology and inefficient pollen removal in Banksia spinulosa var. neoanglica. Australian Journal of Botany 39: 167-177.
Ramsey M and Vaughton G (1991) Self-incompatibility, protandry, pollen production and pollen longevity in Banksia menziesii. Australian Journal of Botany 39: 497-504.
Coombs M and Ramsey M (1991) Egg and larval abundances of Helicoverpa Hardwick (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Christmas bells. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 30: 233-236.
1990
Vaughton G (1990) Seasonal variation in honeyeater foraging behaviour, inflorescence abundance and fruit set in Banksia spinulosa (Proteaceae). Australian Journal of Ecology 15: 109-16.
Vaughton G (1990) Predation by insects limits seed production in Banksia spinulosa var. neoanglica (Proteaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 38: 35-40.
1989
Ramsey M (1989) The seasonal abundance and foraging behaviour of honeyeaters and their potential role in the pollination of Banksia menziesii. Australian Journal of Ecology 14: 33-40.
1988
Vaughton G (1988) Pollination and seed set of Banksia spinulosa: Evidence of autogamy. Australian Journal of Botany 36: 633-42.
Ramsey M (1988) Differences in pollinator effectiveness of birds and insects visiting Banksia menziesii (Proteaceae). Oecologia 76: 119-124.
Ramsey M (1988) Floret opening in Banksia menziesii R. Br.: the importance of nectarivorous birds. Australian Journal of Botany 36: 225-232.