DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Genetics of Adaptation to a Novel Stressful Environment in Mimulus

论文研究： 酸浆菌适应新压力环境的遗传学

• 批准号: 1210755
• 负责人: John Willis
• 金额: $ 1.44万
• 依托单位: Duke University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-08-01 至 2014-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1210755&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Genetics; Adaptation; Novel

Closely related populations or species often occupy ecologically disparate habitats. Adaptation to new habitats can eventually lead to speciation. Local adaptation to different environments has been repeatedly demonstrated in plants and animals; however, the traits and genes that underlie this adaptation are poorly understood. This study focuses on finding the traits and genes that allow two species of Monkeyflower, Mimulus laciniatus and the as yet unnamed Bald Rock Mimulus (BR), to survive in a unique habitat. Other closely related Mimulus species occur in streams and seeps, but M. laciniatus and BR have independently colonized a harsh granite outcrop environment. Another unique characteristic that both these species share is a lobed leaf shape. Because of the physiological properties of lobed leaves they are predicted to be adaptive in the dry, exposed granite outcrop environment. The PIs will use genome mapping, genetic manipulation, field experiments, and environmental manipulations to assess the adaptive significance of lobed leaves in the novel granite outcrop environment. Understanding how plants adapt to harsh environments is essential for agricultural improvement and conservation, especially in light of climate change. If lobed leaf shape is important for adaptation to a dry environment then it could be incorporated into agricultural breeding programs. This project will also provide many opportunities to mentor undergraduates and high school students, including women and under-represented minorities, through programs at Duke and the Durham public schools.

密切相关的种群或物种经常占据生态上不同的栖息地。对新栖息地的适应最终会导致物种形成。植物和动物对不同环境的局部适应已被反复证明；然而，人们对这种适应背后的特征和基因知之甚少。本研究的重点是寻找两种猴花的特征和基因，Mimulus laciniatus和尚未命名的Bald Rock Mimulus (BR)，在一个独特的栖息地生存。其他密切相关的拟虫种出现在溪流和渗漏中，但M. laciniatus和BR独立地定居在恶劣的花岗岩露头环境中。这两个物种共有的另一个独特特征是叶片呈裂片状。由于裂片叶片的生理特性，它们可以适应干燥、暴露的花岗岩露头环境。pi将使用基因组定位、基因操作、现场实验和环境操作来评估叶片在新的花岗岩露头环境中的适应意义。了解植物如何适应恶劣环境对农业改良和保护至关重要，尤其是在气候变化的背景下。如果裂叶形状对适应干燥环境很重要，那么它可以纳入农业育种计划。该项目还将通过杜克大学和达勒姆公立学校的项目，为本科生和高中生（包括女性和少数族裔）提供许多指导机会。