Ecology

Data from University of Minnesota Provide New Insights into Genetics

  2012 AUG 24 (VerticalNews) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Ecology, Environment & Conservation -- Data detailed on Genetics have been presented. According to news reporting from St. Paul, Minnesota, by VerticalNews journalists, research stated, "Molecular studies of adaptive evolution often focus on detecting selective sweeps driven by positive selection on a species-wide scale; however, much adaptation is local, particularly of ecologically important traits. Here, we look for evidence of range-wide and local adaptation at candidate genes for adaptive phenology in balsam poplar, Populus balsamifera, a widespread forest tree whose range extends across environmental gradients of photoperiod and growing season length."

  The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from the University of Minnesota, "We examined nucleotide diversity of 27 poplar homologs of the flowering-time network-a group of genes that control plant developmental phenology through interactions with environmental cues such as photoperiod and temperature. Only one gene, ZTL2, showed evidence of reduced diversity and an excess of fixed replacement sites, consistent with a species-wide selective sweep. Two other genes, LFY and FRI, harbored high levels of nucleotide diversity and exhibited elevated differentiation between northern and southern accessions, suggesting local adaptation along a latitudinal gradient. Interestingly, FRI has also been identified as a target of local selection between northern and southern accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating that this gene may be commonly involved in ecological adaptation in distantly related species."

  According to the news reporters, the researchers concluded: "Our findings suggest an important role for local selection shaping molecular diversity and reveal limitations of inferring molecular adaptation from analyses designed only to detect species-wide selective sweeps."

  For more information on this research see: Local selection across a latitudinal gradient shapes nucleotide diversity in balsam poplar, Populus balsamifera L. Genetics, 2011;188(4):941-52. (Cell Press - www.cell.com; Genetics - www.cell.com/trends/genetics/home)

  Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting S.R. Keller, Dept. of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States.

  Keywords for this news article include: St. Paul, Genetics, Minnesota, United States, North and Central America.

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