Abstract Detail

Molecular Ecology and Evolution

Garza, Elyssa [1], Hawkins, Angela K. [1], Hawkins, W. Daryl [2], Pepper, Alan E. [1].

Comparing two Caulanthus amplexicaulis genomes in search of genes underlying serpentine tolerance.

Diversity in soil composition observably alters a plant’s growth, health, and survivability. As a consequence, all creatures that rely on plant performance and sustenance must worry about the inner workings of these organisms. For this reason, it is important to understand the mechanisms that allow a plant to survive in different ecological environments and intelligibly apply this knowledge to maintain soil condition. Unlike granite soils, serpentine soils are characterized by low calcium-to-magnesium ratios, increased heavy metal presence, minimal nutrients, and low water retention. This contrast in soil properties provides a venue to study imposed environmental selective adaptation. In order to explore plant selective adaptations to serpentine endemism, varieties of Caulanthus amplexicaulis (Brassicaceae) inhabiting granite soil (var. amplexicaulis or CAA) and serpentine soil (var. barbarae or CAB) have been selected as a measure of comparison for locating areas of genetic differentiation that may be contributing to the innate survival capabilities for each plant. The estimated genome size for C. amplexicaulis is 372 Mb. Currently, de novo assembled CAB and CAA genomes cover about 89% and 77% of the predicted genome. A comparison of CAB and CAA genomes provides a broad view displaying areas of homozygosity between the two ecologically distant species and regions with single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Data from recently re-sequenced Recombinant Inbred Lines will be mapped back to parental reference genomes to identify crossover regions. In combination with transcriptome data (see oral paper by Hawkins et al.), information collected from assembly, mapping, and genome annotation processes will provide a high quality map that may possibly identify novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms, areas with high-density marker profiles, and recombination breakpoints.

1 - Department Of Biology, Texas A&M University, TAMUS 3258, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
2 - Texas A&M University, Department of Nuclear Engineering, AI Engineering Building, 3133 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-3133, USA

Keywords:
Serpentine
hyperaccumulation
Caulanthus
Brassicaceae
genome.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Molecular Ecology & Evolution Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PML007
Abstract ID:858
Candidate for Awards:Genetics Section Poster Award