Within-species floral evolution reveals convergence in adaptive walks during incipient pollinator shift.

ABSTRACT: Understanding how evolution proceeds from molecules to organisms to interactions requires integrative studies spanning biological levels. Linking phenotypes with associated genes and fitness illuminates how adaptive walks move organisms between fitness peaks. Floral evolution can confer rapid reproductive isolation, often converging in association with pollinator guilds. Within the monkeyflowers (Mimulus sect. Erythranthe), yellow flowers within red hummingbird-pollinated species have arisen at least twice, suggesting possible pollinator shifts. We compare two yellow-flowered forms of M. cardinalis and M. verbenaceus to their red counterparts in floral phenotypes, biochemistry, transcriptomic and genomic variation, and pollinator interactions. We find convergence in ongoing adaptive walks

SUBMITTER: Wenzell KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11923230 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature