Rates of evolution in stress-related genes are associated with habitat preference in two Cardamine lineages.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elucidating the selective and neutral forces underlying molecular evolution is fundamental to understanding the genetic basis of adaptation. Plants have evolved a suite of adaptive responses to cope with variable environmental conditions, but relatively little is known about which genes are involved in such responses. Here we studied molecular evolution on a genome-wide scale in two species of Cardamine with distinct habitat preferences: C. resedifolia, found at high altitudes, and C. impatiens, found at low altitudes. Our analyses focussed on genes that are involved in stress responses to two factors that differentiate the high- and low-altitude habitats, namely temperature and irradiation.

Results

High-throughput sequencing was used to obtain gene sequences from

SUBMITTER: Ometto L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3398273 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature