microscopic view of green algae

Quantitative trait loci affecting differences in floral morphology between two species of monkeyflower (Mimulus)

Quantitative trait loci affecting differences in floral morphology between two species of monkeyflower (Mimulus), Bradshaw, Jr. H D, Schemske DW, Otto KG, Frewen BE, and McKay JK, 1998, Volume 149, Issue 1, p. - 382 (1998)

Conspicuous differences in floral morphology are partly responsible for reproductive isolation between two sympatric species of monkeyflower because of their effect on visitation of the flowers by different pollinators. Mimulus lewisii flowers are visited primarily by bumblebees, whereas M. cardinalis flowers are visited mostly by hummingbirds. The genetic control of 12 morphological differences between the flowers of M. lewisii and M. cardinalis was explored in a large linkage mapping population of F-2 plants (n = 465) to provide an accurate estimate of the number and magnitude of effect of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) governing each character. Between one and six QTLs were identified for each trait. Most (9/12) traits appear to be controlled in part by at least one major QTL explaining greater than or equal to 25\% of the total phenotypic variance. This implies that either single genes of individually large effect or linked clusters of genes with a large cumulative effect can play a role in the evolution of reproductive isolation and speciation.
Status of Research
Completed/published
Research Type