Februray 28th 2008

Laila Bryant and Margaret Hendrick

We will explore the genomic basis for speciation in tmimulushe "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.