The Genetics of Speciation in Mimulus: Causes and Consequences of Heterospecific Meiotic Drive

这个项目解决了一个关于非孟德尔遗传传递的进化意义的基本问题：两个近缘关系密切的野花--异交种含笑和自交含笑的杂交后代中的雌性减数分裂驱动系统。进化论认为，这些元素可能是物种形成的重要因素。这些项目的主要目标是描述异种减数分裂驱动的地理范围、适合度效应和遗传机制(S)。这些研究将有助于回答物种如何产生的核心问题。这项研究将自然种群的生态学与减数分裂和细胞分裂的分子机制联系起来。这个项目将涉及本科生和研究生，特别是女性，并将为学生研究人员提供关于自然植物种群背景下的遗传概念和实验室工作的入门知识。

This project addresses a fundamental questions about the evolutionary significance of non-Mendelian genetic transmission: female meiotic drive system in hybrids between outcrosser Mimulus guttatus and selfer M. nasutus, two closely related wildflowers. Evolutionary theory suggests that such elements may be important factors in speciation. The primary goal of the projects is to characterize the geographic extent, fitness effects and genetic mechanism(s) of heterospecific meiotic drive. These studies will help answer the central question of how species arise.This research bridges topics from the ecology of natural populations to the molecular mechanisms of meiosis and cell division. This project will involve undergraduate and graduate students, particularly women, and will provide student researchers with an introduction to genetic concepts and laboratory work in the context of natural plant populations.