Februray 28th 2008
Laila Bryant and Margaret Hendrick
We will explore the genomic basis for speciation in t he "model system"
mimulus where conspicuous differences in floral morphology present a
possible mechanism for reproductive isolation between
two sympatric species. These monkeyflower phenotypes attract different
pollinators, bumblebees vs. hummingbirds. Bradshaw
et al (1998) investigates
the genetic control of 12 morphological differences between the phenotypes
of M.lewisii and M. cardinalis using a QTL approach. Consider what these
researchers will need to do to take this system to the functional genomics
level from the current identification of genomic loci. For a background
on QTL approach see Mauricio
2001 and for a considertion of future directions
you might want to check out Stamatoyannopolous 2004.
Drinks by Iggy and Garon
Who-is-who by Molly & Amanda
image from Schemske and Bradshaw, 1999, PNAS 96:11910-11915.
Mauricio, R., (2001) Mapping quantitative trait loci in plants:ues caveats
for evolutionary biology. Nature Reviews Genetics 2:370-382.
Bradshaw, H.D., Otto,
K.G., Frewen, B.E., McKay, J.K., Schemske, D.W. (1998)
Quantitative trait loci affecting differences in floral morphology between
two species ofmonkeyflower (Mimulus). Genetics 149:367-382.
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