Abstract Detail

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Whipple, Clinton [1], Maughan, Peter [2], Jarvis, David [3], Mosquera, Veronica [4], DeTemple, Joseph [4].

Developing Genomic and Genetic Resources for a Novel Evo-Devo Model in Gilia (Polemoniaceae).

The leafy-stemmed gilias (Gilia section Gilia, Polemoniaceae) are comprised of annual flowering plants largely confined to the pacific coast of North and South America. In classic biosystematic work, Verne Grant demonstrated that the leafy-stemmed gilias form a closely related species complex that can often hybridize, but whose F1 hybrids are nearly always sterile. Focusing on the wide-spread G. capitata and the narrow granite endemic G. yorkii, we have demonstrated that a particular accession of G. capitata can form robust and fertile hybrids with G. yorkii. These species are striking in their morphological divergence, especially in floral and inflorescence morphology. The F2 progeny of this cross segregate polymorphic traits of the parent species, making an ideal system for genetic dissection of morphological traits that differentiate wild species via quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. Unlike most current wild species QTL analyses, which have focused on leaf and floral morphology, G. capitata and G. yorkii are notable for their distinct raceme vs. panicle inflorescence morphologies. Both of these inflorescence types are common in the angiosperms, but little is known about the genetic regulation of transitions among inflorescence types. In order to further investigate the genetic architecture of this polymorphism, we have generated a chromosome level assembly of the G. yorkii genome using a combination of Illumina and PacBio reads and Hi-C (Phase Genomics) to complete the final assembly. This reference was then used to identify polymorphic genotyping by sequencing (GBS) markers and genotype 186 F2 individuals, which were also phenotyped for floral and inflorescence traits. QTL mapping is currently ongoing, but as a proof of concept, an initial examination of flower color segregation has identified a candidate gene on chromosome 1 involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. The high-quality, complete reference genome of G. yorkii combined with the small stature, ease of crossing and relatively rapid generation time combine to make Gilia a promising model for plant evo-devo.

1 - Brigham Young University, Biology, 4102 LSB, Provo, UT, USA, 84602
2 - Brigham Young University, Plant and Wildlife Sciences, 4125, Provo, UT, USA, 84602
3 - Brigham Young University, Plant and Wildlife Sciences, 4125 LSB, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
4 - Brigham Young University, Biology, 4102 LSB, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

Keywords:
Gilia
Polemoniaceae
Inlforescence
QTL
genome assembly.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: EVDV1, Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Thursday, July 30th, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM
Number: EVDV1001
Abstract ID:303
Candidate for Awards:None