Whole-genome nucleotide diversity, recombination, and linkage disequilibrium in the model legume Medicago truncatula.

ABSTRACT: Medicago truncatula is a model for investigating legume genetics, including the genetics and evolution of legume-rhizobia symbiosis. We used whole-genome sequence data to identify and characterize sequence polymorphisms and linkage disequilibrium (LD) in a diverse collection of 26 M. truncatula accessions. Our analyses reveal that M. truncatula harbors both higher diversity and less LD than soybean (Glycine max) and exhibits patterns of LD and recombination similar to Arabidopsis thaliana. The population-scaled recombination rate is approximately one-third of the mutation rate, consistent with expectations for a species with a high selfing rate. Linkage disequilibrium, however, is not extensive, and therefore, the low recombination rate is likely not a major constraint to adaptation. Nucle

SUBMITTER: Branca A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3198318 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature