Download The University of Vermont Graduate College 2013-14 REACH Grant Recipient

The University of Vermont
Graduate College
2013-14 REACH Grant Recipient
Determining the Genetic Basis of Flowering Time Variation in the North American Mimulus
guttatus Species Complex
Jill Preston
Plant Biology
Abstract:
Most plant species use seasonal cues to synchronize their reproductive output with favorable
environment conditions. In the temperature zone, and extended period of winter cold
(vernalization) can ready certain species to flower, resulting in rapid blooming in response to
warm conditions of the spring. Conversely, if winter is too warm/short, species that respond to
vernalization experience delayed flowering, often coinciding with conditions not conducive to
seed set. Thus, depending on the climates in which they live, plants vary greatly in their
flowering time responses. Despite the importance of flowering time evolution in explaining
plant distributions and responses to climate change, little is known about the genetic basis and
evolutionary lability of this complex trait. As part of my long-term goal to understand genetic
constraints on flowering time evolution across angiosperms, the proposed project aims to
identify/characterize adaptive flowering time genes in the Mimulus guttatus species complex.
By uniquely integrating quantitative genetics, comparative transcriptions, and candidate gene
expression analyses, results from this innovative project will strengthen our knowledge of
how/to what extent gene networks can evolve in response to locally changing climates.
Furthermore, funding for this project will allow generation of data that can be used to secure
collaborative extramural funding.