The genetic basis of a rare flower color polymorphism in Mimulus lewisii provides insight into the repeatability of evolution.

ABSTRACT: A long-standing question in evolutionary biology asks whether the genetic changes contributing to phenotypic evolution are predictable. Here, we identify a genetic change associated with segregating variation in flower color within a population of Mimulus lewisii. To determine whether these types of changes are predictable, we combined this information with data from other species to investigate whether the spectrum of mutations affecting flower color transitions differs based on the evolutionary time-scale since divergence. We used classic genetic techniques, along with gene expression and population genetic approaches, to identify the putative, loss-of-function mutation that generates rare, white flowers instead of the common, pink color in M. lewisii. We found that a frameshift mutation

SUBMITTER: Wu CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3849174 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature