Artificial selection on an inducible, stably inherited defensive trait in Yellow Monkeyflower
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Epigenetic inheritance, Genomic studies, artificial selection
Abstract
Organisms often respond to environmental challenges by altering their physical traits. Surprisingly, some environmentally-induced traits can be inherited by subsequent generations–a phenomenon known as epigenetic inheritance. Mimulus guttatus (Yellow Monkeyflower) exhibits genetic variation in three interrelated traits: baseline production of trichomes (sticky hairs that deter insects), degree to which trichome production increases in response to leaf damage, and epigenetic inheritance of this response. In order to characterize the genetic basis of these three traits, we have produced replicate populations artificially selected for either high baseline trichome production or high response to damage. Preliminary results show a strong response to selection. We plan to sequence DNA from each population in order to identify genomic regions associated with each trait, and to determine to what degree the three traits share a genetic basis. The results will elucidate the relationship between genetic and epigenetic variation in an ecologically significant trait.
Recommended Citation
Neuffer, Sam, "Artificial selection on an inducible, stably inherited defensive trait in Yellow Monkeyflower" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 36.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/posters/36
Poster Number
29
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
Artificial selection on an inducible, stably inherited defensive trait in Yellow Monkeyflower
SURC Ballroom C/D
Organisms often respond to environmental challenges by altering their physical traits. Surprisingly, some environmentally-induced traits can be inherited by subsequent generations–a phenomenon known as epigenetic inheritance. Mimulus guttatus (Yellow Monkeyflower) exhibits genetic variation in three interrelated traits: baseline production of trichomes (sticky hairs that deter insects), degree to which trichome production increases in response to leaf damage, and epigenetic inheritance of this response. In order to characterize the genetic basis of these three traits, we have produced replicate populations artificially selected for either high baseline trichome production or high response to damage. Preliminary results show a strong response to selection. We plan to sequence DNA from each population in order to identify genomic regions associated with each trait, and to determine to what degree the three traits share a genetic basis. The results will elucidate the relationship between genetic and epigenetic variation in an ecologically significant trait.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Scoville, Alison