The genetics of reproductive isolation in Leavenworthia

描述（由申请人提供）： 了解物种是如何形成的是进化遗传学的一个基本未解问题。这对理解基因组进化至关重要。要回答这个问题，需要了解物种间生殖隔离的遗传基础。具体的问题是：（1）什么样的进化过程是物种间生殖障碍的原因？(2)物种之间的某些繁殖障碍的频率是多少？(3)有多少基因座对与物种间生殖隔离相关的数量性状有贡献？（4）哪些基因控制着物种间的生殖隔离，它们是如何起作用的？为了开始回答这些问题，本文首先探讨了两种植物Leavenacrotia（L.）alabamica和L.将决定。相互移植实验将确定是否存在生态地理隔离。将进行传粉者观察，看看传粉者的偏好是否在物种之间存在差异，这将是一种行为学隔离的形式。Leavenacrotia alabamica和L. crassa在自然界中杂交，因此将检查杂种的生存力以确定是否存在任何合子后繁殖障碍。将绘制数量性状基因座，以确定有多少遗传基因座负责生殖隔离。这些QTL将与拟南芥的序列进行比较，作为gone功能的线索。最后，将确定在这些物种或其杂交种中观察到的任何近交衰退的遗传学。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Understanding how species form is one of the fundamental unanswered questions of evolutionary genetics. And it is critical in understanding genome evolution. Answering this question requires knowledge of the genetic basis of reproductive isolation between species. Specific questions are: (1) what evolutionary processes are responsible for reproductive barriers between species?; (2) what are the frequency of certain barriers to reproduction between species'?.; (3) how many loci contribute to the quantitative traits associated with reproductive isolation between species?; and (4) what genes control reproductive isolation between species and how do they function? To begin to answer these questions, the ecological and genetic basis of reproductive isolation between two species in the plant genus Leavenworthia (L. alabamica and L. crassa) will be determined. Reciprocal transplant experiments will determine whether or not ecogeographic isolation is present. Pollinator observations will be conducted to see if pollinator preferences differ between species, which would be a form of ethological isolation. Leavenworthia alabamica and L. crassa hybridize in nature, and thus hybrid viability will be examined in order to determine if any post-zygotic barriers to reproduction exist. Quantitative trait loci will be mapped to determine how many genetic loci are responsible for reproductive isolation. These QTL will be compared to the sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana as a clue to gone function. Finally, the genetics of any inbreeding depression observed in these species or their hybrids will be determined.