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Genetic mapping of floral traits associated with reproductive isolation in monkeyflowers (Mimulus)

Nature volume 376, pages 762–765 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

SPECIATION is the process whereby populations acquire sufficient genetic differences to become reproductively isolated1. Since Darwin it has been recognized that the tempo and mode of specia-tion are greatly influenced by the number and magnitude of genetic changes required for reproductive isolation2–6, but detailed genetic studies have been limited to a few taxa such as Drosophila7. Genome mapping techniques now widely adopted in plant8,9 and animal10,11 breeding make it possible to investigate the genetic basis of reproductive isolating mechanisms in natural populations. Here we use this approach to map eight floral traits in two sym-patric monkeyflower species that are reproductively isolated owing to pollinator preference by bumblebees or hummingbirds. For each trait we found at least one quantitative trait locus accounting for more than 25% of the phenotypic variance. This suggests that genes of large effect can contribute to speciation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington, Box 354115, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    H. D. Bradshaw Jr & K. G. Otto

  2. Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Box 357350, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    S. M. Wilbert

  3. Botany Department, University of Washington, Box 355325, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    D. W. Schemske

Authors
  1. H. D. Bradshaw Jr
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  2. S. M. Wilbert
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  3. K. G. Otto
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  4. D. W. Schemske
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Bradshaw, H., Wilbert, S., Otto, K. et al. Genetic mapping of floral traits associated with reproductive isolation in monkeyflowers (Mimulus). Nature 376, 762–765 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/376762a0

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