The genetic consequences of autopolyploidy in Galax urceolata (Diapensiaceae)

许多植物在每个细胞内都有其整个基因组的多个副本；这种植物被称为多倍体。在大多数已知的情况下，一种植物通过与另一种植物杂交而成为多倍体，这似乎会引发基因组的复制。这种多倍体被广泛研究。然而，在少数物种中，基因组似乎在没有杂交的情况下复制了自己，这一现象被称为同源多倍体。同源多倍体的进化重要性尚不清楚。银杏(Galax Urceolata)是一种开花植物，仅分布于阿巴拉契亚山脉及其邻近地区，包括多倍体和非多倍体个体。本研究将利用DNA序列和染色体数目的统计分析来研究亚洲棉的同源多倍体进化。这是有可能的，实际上代表一个以上的物种，但该物种是神秘的，不容易识别的基础上的表面形状或形式。这项研究的数据将有助于保护阿巴拉契亚山脉的物种。数据将在国际同行评议的期刊上发表，并在科学会议上提交，并将向多倍体门户网站作出贡献，这是一个专门分享信息、当前研究和教育材料的网站。该项目还通过(1)培训博士生和(2)向本科生推广适当的实验室技术和分子分析，提供了重要的教育价值。

Many plants have multiple copies of their entire genome within every cell; such plants are called polyploids. In most known cases, a plant becomes polyploid by hybridizing with another plant, which appears to trigger copying of the genome. This sort of polyploidy is studied extensively. However, in a few species the genome seems to have copied itself without hybridization, a phenomenon known as autopolyploidy. The evolutionary importance of autopolyploidy is unknown. Galax urceolata (Diapensiaceae) is a flowering plant that occurs only in the Appalachian Mountains and adjacent regions, and includes both polyploid and non-polyploid individuals. This study will use DNA sequences and statistical analysis of chromosome numbers to study autopolyploid evolution in G. urceolata. It is possible that G. urceolata actually represents more than one species, but that the species are cryptic, not easily recognized on the basis of superficial shape or form. The data from this study will help in conservation of species in the Appalachian Mountains. Data will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, presented at scientific conferences, and contributions will be made to The Polyploidy Portal, a website dedicated to the sharing of information, current research, and educational materials. This project also provides significant educational value through (1) training of a doctoral student and (2) outreach to undergraduate students in proper laboratory techniques and molecular analyses.