Matthew Coffey

PhD Student @CarletonBiology using community science data to explore the distribution, ecology, and mating systems of North American Lobelia species 🪻

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

Just published new research on the importance of Ruby-Throated Hummingbird abundance on the spatial distribution of Cardinal Flower. If you like wildflowers, hummingbirds, and cool maps - check it out!

https://t.co/87iX6KALaq

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

Since populations in the south and near the range centre demonstrate more frequent stylar exsertion
(a mating system trait that indicates the capacity to outcross)...

we assume that, as a result, these southern populations likely undergo greater outcrossing!
🪻🔁🪻

12/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

We also found that evidence of stylar exsertion significantly differed between Lobelia inflata and congeneric species like Cardinal Flower and Great Blue Lobelia.

10/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

What do these results mean? 🤔

Well, they provide evidence that in Lobelia inflata, there may exist geographic variation in mating system! 🌎

11/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

We found that evidence of stylar exsertion in images of Lobelia inflata did indeed increase both in the south of the species range and close to the proportional range centre! 📈

9/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

Enter @inaturalist!

With the help of iNaturalist’s database of community science images📸, we could track evidence of stylar exsertion geographically by simply analyzing geotagged photos of Lobelia inflata. 🔎🪻

And this is exactly what we did!

8/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

It got me thinking…💭

If we had lots of similar photos and we knew where the photos were taken, we could determine whether style exserting Lobelia inflata was indeed more common in the south!

7/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

At the start of the pandemic, a previous grad student in @andrew_m_simons lab, @linalovesplants, shared a tweet with a photo📷of Lobelia inflata that showed an exserted style.

The first thought that came to my head when I saw the photo was: “Where is this plant from?”🤔

6/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

However, in other Lobelia species, like Cardinal Flower and Great Blue Lobelia, stylar exsertion is the norm - it indicates the transition point from male ♂️ to female ♀️ floral phase.

Stylar exsertion also allows the flower to accept external pollen and outcross!

5/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

One important feature of note... is that in northern Lobelia inflata populations, complete selfing occurs because each flower has a fused tube of stamens that fully encloses the style and stigma (throughout floral anthesis).

So selfing is the only option! 🔄

4/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

High selfing is thought to be more common in the north of species ranges due to selection for reproductive assurance – i.e., near range margins, potential mates may be limited, so selfing can be beneficial.

So, further south, L. inflata may lean more towards outcrossing!

3/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

Previous genetic work🧬on Lobelia inflata had found that populations are completely self-fertilized (>99%) in the north of its range.

However, whether this complete selfing is typical across the entire species range or an extreme is unknown…

2/12

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

Excited to announce the first publication of my PhD work in @Ecol_Evol with @andrew_m_simons !

We used @inaturalist community science data to explore latitudinal trends in mating system traits in the highly self-fertilizing Lobelia inflata

https://t.co/h9EqW9mdxF

A🧵1/12:

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

If you are a fan of strange little selfing plants, Lobelias, and/or community science, come check out my talk on Thursday afternoon at #Evol2023!

[Richard Coffey @_Rich_Coffey]

Words will never be able to do it justice.

Roll Six For Life.

#GotYourSix | 📸: @loribolliger

[Richard Coffey @_Rich_Coffey]

The best 🏀 game I’ve ever seen live.

The best seats I’ve ever gotten to see a 🏀 game in.

What a way to start 2023.

@MattCoffey96 | #WeTheNorth

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

Does anyone think I'll get the go-ahead from my supervisor to spend $42.08 of research funds to buy Just Dance 3 for the Nintendo Wii from the University's eShop? #Carleton

[Canada Soccer @CanadaSoccerEN]

WE ARE CANADA! 🍁 WE ARE GOING TO QATAR!

#CANMNT #ForCanada #WCQ

[Canadiens Montréal @CanadiensMTL]

🔘🔘🔘🔘
🔘🔘🔘🔘
🔘🔘🔘🔘
⚪️⚪️⚪️🏆

#GoHabsGo

[Matthew Coffey @MattCoffey96]

@_Rich_Coffey @TorontoStar What other term could they have used there? I guess we'll never know... but the possibilities are wIDe oPeN. We can be fReE to wonder...but it is probably better LEft aLoNE...