Stacks Image 20261

Research

Stacks Image 20269

Research

Stacks Image 20277

Research

Stacks Image 20285

Research

Stacks Image 20293

Research

Stacks Image 20041

Research

Stacks Image 20047

Research

Stacks Image 20080

Research

Stacks Image 20108

Research

Stacks Image 20136

Research

Adaptation and sexual selection QTL in Silene latifolia

The level of sexual dimorphism depends on the environment where Silene latifolia grows. We are looking for QTL based on a cross between plants from dry and wet environments, with a special interest to QTL that localise on the sex chromosomes.

Example of the variation in leaf morphology, which results in physiological differences within the same species.

I am analysing ≈30 traits from a large F2 cross of plants from Spain and Croatia. Some of the traits are involved in both adaptation to a dry/wet environment and reproductive fitness, in an antagonistic way. For example, fast growth and flowering is generally beneficial for males, but deleterious in a dry environment. Consequently, it is sexually antagonistic (has different fitness optima for the two sexes) in the less stressful Croatian environment.

Such sexually antagonistic traits are predicted to occur on the recombining part of the sex chromosome, because they are expected to benefit from a non-random association with sex, while remaining capable to responding to environmental change.

We are constructing a genetic map and performing QTL analysis to test this prediction.

small

Fast growth in Croatia allows for large flowers in both sexes.

The project was initiated by Lynda Delph.

Previous Post 4 / 10 Post

Tag: