The Evolution of Correlations Among Floral Traits in an Insect-Pollinated Plant

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9318388 Conner The genomes of all organisms are products of evolution. A complete understanding of the genetics of any organism, therefore, requires general knowledge about how genomes evolve. A crucial question is how groups of traits become genetically integrated into a single functional unit, for example an organ, through evolution. This study will investigate this questions using the flower of wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum, as a model system. The flower is an ideal model organ because it is made up a number of easily-measured parts (petals, pistils, stamens, etc.) that must work together as a functional unit for successfully reproduction. The results of this work will improve our understanding of how groups of individual traits become functionally integrated into organs and organ systems. An additional goal of this work is to determine many of the factors responsible for successful reproduction in wild radish. Wild radish can be a destructive weed in small grain crops,and is closely related to many important crop and weed species. For example, closely related crops include radish, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower,and canola. Therefore, knowledge gained concerning reproduction in wild radish should be applicable to control of several noxious weeds and improved seed production and yield in several important corps.