Presentation Detail

Genetics of Adaptation

Gould, Billie [1], McCouch, Susan [2], Geber, Monica [3].

Next generation analysis of the genetic basis of adaptation to soil aluminum in a wild grass at local and regional scales.

The genomic revolution has facilitated the dissection of the genetic basis of ecologically important traits in wild organisms, expanding our understanding of the genetic basis of functional biodiversity and the mechanisms of adaptation in natural systems. In this work we examined the genetic basis of a common plant adaptation, the ability to grow in acidic soils through tolerance of toxic levels aluminum. We used RNA-sequencing combined with transcriptomic SNP genotyping in the common wild grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum, to identify genes involved in response and local adaptation to soil aluminum. We examined the genetic basis of the trait both across a natural soil aluminum gradient in New York state, and also at the small spatial scale of the historic Park Grass Experiment, UK, where soil Al tolerance has rapidly evolved in situ over a short period of time. Our results show that populations are locally adapted to soil Al at both regional and local spatial scales despite extensive gene flow. Al tolerance varies continuously across genotypes and many genes are involved in soil Al stress response and adaptation. We find both parallels and differences exist in the genetic basis of this important trait between Anthoxanthum populations as well as between this wild species and the related but artificially selected cereal grasses.

1 - University of Toronto, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 25 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON, M4K 2J8, Canada
2 - Cornell University, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Emerson Hall, Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
3 - Cornell University, Department Of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853-2701, USA

Keywords:
Ecological genetics
Anthoxanthum odoratum
soil aluminum
grasses
local adaptation
RNA sequencing.

Presentation Type: Regular Oral Presentation
Session: 115
Location: Rendezvous A/Snowbird Center
Date: Monday, June 24th, 2013
Time: 10:45 AM
Number: 115002
Abstract ID:648
Candidate for Awards:W.D. Hamilton Award for Outstanding Student Presentation