Abstract Detail

Genetics

Schwoch, Jaime A [1].

Clonal Adaptation in Mimmulus guttatus.

It is known that mutations accumulate during vegetative growth but they are often assumed to be deleterious and result in decreased fitness. We propose that the accumulation of beneficial mutations is likely and due to cell lineage selection where deleterious mutations are selected out before the formation of pollen and ovules (K. Monro 2009). The idea of somatic mutation accumulation may provide insight to rapid adaptation in novel environments in plants (K. bobiwash 2013). In a previous experiment, several genets of Mimulus guttatus, were pollinated using autogamy (pollen onto same flower) and geitonogamy (pollen onto different stem) in which the progeny were grown and their fitness was quantified. The results of this experiment provided inspiration to our current methods because it suggests that clonal evolution in plants may contribute to their adaptation to novel environments and have implications for the evolutionary advantages of autogamy. Several genets of M. guttatus were grown in a saline hydroponics system to impose harsh selection and favor mutation during vegetative growth. Plants were allowed to grow in an incrementally increasing saline environment and later planted into soil where they will be pollinated using autogamous and geitonogamous methods. Selfing increases the rate of homozygosity and therefore increasing the expression of novel somatic mutations. We expect that the surviving clonal progeny of autogamous pollinations will have a higher expression of beneficial mutations making them well adapted to a high saline environment.

1 - Portland State University, Biology, Portland, Oregon, 97207-0751, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 11, Genetics
Location: 105/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 2:45 PM
Number: 11006
Abstract ID:844
Candidate for Awards:None