Evaluating the contribution of maternal effects to population differentiation in an herbaceous plant

母亲可以通过简单的遗传传递以外的机制影响其后代的性状，这种母亲效应可以作为对当地环境条件的适应。 然而，它是不知道是否母性效应广泛地有助于适应性进化。 本研究将以Campanulastrum americanum为模式植物，探讨母体效应是否对族群分化有影响。 该研究将整合在纬度梯度上进行的观察和操纵性实地研究，以确定人口之间寿命的变化部分是由于母体遗传变异，代内遗传变异或两者的组合。 有效应对环境变化需要更好地理解自然种群适应的进化机制。 这项研究将评估母体效应在适应性进化中的作用是否比目前公认的更大。 这项研究包括对开花时间的研究，这一点特别令人感兴趣，因为大规模的模式表明，随着当代气候变暖，开花时间提前。 该项目将增加对气候变暖下开花时间潜在演变的理解。 该项目包括为公众制作教育介绍和展览，以及对本科生、研究生和一名博士后研究员进行科学研究和公共宣传方面的培训。

Mothers can influence the traits of their offspring through mechanisms beyond simple genetic transmission, and such maternal effects can serve as adaptations to local environmental conditions. However, it is not known whether maternal effects contribute broadly to adaptive evolution. This project will evaluate whether maternal effects contribute to population differentiation using the plant Campanulastrum americanum as a model system. The research will integrate observational and manipulative field studies conducted across a latitudinal gradient to determine what portions of variation among populations in life-span are due to maternal genetic variation, within-generation genetic variation, or a combination of the two. Effective response to environmental change requires improved understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms that underlie adaptation in natural populations. This research will evaluate whether maternal effects have a larger role in adaptive evolution than is currently recognized. This research includes study of flowering time, which is of particular interest because broad-scale patterns indicate earlier flowering in response to contemporary warming climates. The project will increase understanding of the potential evolution of flowering time in warming climates. The project includes development of educational presentations and exhibits for the general public, as well as training of undergraduates, graduate students and a post-doctoral researcher in both scientific research and public outreach.