scholarly journals Floral signals evolve in a predictable way under artificial and pollinator selection in Brassica rapa using a G-matrix

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengjuan Zu ◽  
Florian P. Schiestl ◽  
Daniel Gervasi ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Daniel Runcie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Rapa ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Selection Experiment ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Genetic Covariance ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories

AbstractBackgroundAngiosperms employ an astonishing variety of visual and olfactory floral signals that are generally thought to evolve under natural selection. Those morphological and chemical traits can form highly correlated sets of traits. It is not always clear which of these are used by pollinators as primary targets of selection and which would be indirectly selected by being linked to those primary targets. Quantitative genetics tools for predicting multiple traits response to selection have been developed since long and have advanced our understanding of evolution of genetically correlated traits in various biological systems. We use these tools to predict the evolutionary trajectories of floral traits and understand the selection pressures acting on them.ResultsWe used data from an artificial and a pollinator (bumblebee, hoverfly) selection experiment with fast cycling Brassica rapa plants to predict evolutionary changes of 12 floral volatiles and 4 morphological floral traits in response to selection. Using the observed selection gradients and the genetic variance-covariance matrix (G-matrix) of the traits, we showed that the responses of most floral traits including volatiles were predicted in the right direction in artificial- and bumblebee-selection experiment, revealing direct and indirect targets of bumblebee selection. Genetic covariance had a mix of constraining and facilitating effects on evolutionary responses. We further revealed how G-matrices evolved in the selection processes.ConclusionsOverall, our integrative study shows that floral signals, and especially volatiles, evolve under selection in a mostly predictable way, at least during short term evolution. Evolutionary constraints stemming from genetic covariance affected traits evolutionary trajectories and thus it is important to include genetic covariance for predicting the evolutionary changes of a comprehensive suite of traits. Other processes such as resource limitation and selfing also needs to be considered for a better understanding of floral trait evolution.

scholarly journals Floral signals evolve in a predictable way under artificial and pollinator selection in Brassica rapa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengjuan Zu ◽  
Florian P. Schiestl ◽  
Daniel Gervasi ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Daniel Runcie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Rapa ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Genetic Covariance ◽  
Selection Gradients ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories

Abstract Background Angiosperms employ an astonishing variety of visual and olfactory floral signals that are generally thought to evolve under natural selection. Those morphological and chemical traits can form highly correlated sets of traits. It is not always clear which of these are used by pollinators as primary targets of selection and which would be indirectly selected by being linked to those primary targets. Quantitative genetics tools for predicting multiple traits response to selection have been developed since long and have advanced our understanding of evolution of genetically correlated traits in various biological systems. We use these tools to predict the evolutionary trajectories of floral traits and understand the selection pressures acting on them. Results We used data from an artificial selection and a pollinator (bumblebee, hoverfly) evolution experiment with fast cycling Brassica rapa plants to predict evolutionary changes of 12 floral volatiles and 4 morphological floral traits in response to selection. Using the observed selection gradients and the genetic variance-covariance matrix (G-matrix) of the traits, we showed that the observed responses of most floral traits including volatiles were predicted in the right direction in both artificial- and bumblebee-selection experiment. Genetic covariance had a mix of constraining and facilitating effects on evolutionary responses. We further revealed that G-matrices also evolved in the selection processes. Conclusions Overall, our integrative study shows that floral signals, especially volatiles, evolve under selection in a mostly predictable way, at least during short term evolution. Evolutionary constraints stemming from genetic covariance affected traits evolutionary trajectories and thus it is important to include genetic covariance for predicting the evolutionary changes of a comprehensive suite of traits. Other processes such as resource limitation and selfing also need to be considered for a better understanding of floral trait evolution.

Morph-specific correlations between floral traits in a distylous Ophiorrhiza napoensis (Rubiaceae) population in southern China

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 719-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
HIROSHI KUDOH ◽  
TAKASHI SUGAWARA ◽  
SUGONG WU ◽  
JIN MURATA
Keyword(s):  
Southern China ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Corolla Tube ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Tube Length ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Subtropical Evergreen Forest ◽  
Positive Correlations

Floral trait correlations were compared between the two flower morphs of a distylous Ophiorrhiza napoensis population in a subtropical evergreen forest at the Defu Natural Animal Preserve, Guangxi, China. Common principal component analyses indicated that overall patterns in correlations among floral traits were morph specific in the study population. Strong positive correlations (r > 0.9) between anther height and corolla-tube length were found in both morphs. Stigma height correlated positively with corolla-tube length in the long-styled morph (r = 0.843), but not in the short-styled morph (r = −0.018). Flower-morph-specific correlation suggests that natural selection by pollinators has moulded trait covariance among floral traits. Because morph-specific correlations are expressed as the patterns of within-morph variation among multiple traits, putative genes responsible for the stigma-corolla tube correlation should not link to the supergene for sex-organ reciprocity between the morphs, but their expression is limited in the long-styled morph.

scholarly journals Behavioral syndromes shape evolutionary trajectories via conserved genetic architecture

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Royauté ◽  
Ann Hedrick ◽  
Ned A. Dochtermann
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Architecture ◽  
Behavioral Syndromes ◽  
Behavioral Syndrome ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Covariance ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Field Crickets ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Gryllus Integer

AbstractBehaviors are often correlated within broader syndromes, creating the potential for evolution in one behavior to drive evolutionary changes in other behaviors. Despite demonstrations that behavioral syndromes are common across taxa, whether this potential for evolutionary effects is realized has not yet been demonstrated. Here we show that populations of field crickets (Gryllus integer) exhibit a genetically conserved behavioral syndrome structure despite differences in average behaviors. We found that the distribution of genetic variation and genetic covariance among behavioral traits was consistent with genes and cellular mechanisms underpinning behavioral syndromes rather than correlated selection. Moreover, divergence among populations’ average behaviors was constrained by the genetically conserved behavioral syndrome. Our results demonstrate that a conserved genetic architecture linking behaviors has shaped the evolutionary trajectories of populations in disparate environments—illustrating an important way by which behavioral syndromes result in shared evolutionary fates.

scholarly journals An experimentally introduced population of Brassica rapa (Brassicaceae). 2. Rapid evolution of phenotypic traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Sekor ◽  
Steven J. Franks
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Brassica Rapa ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
Phenotypic Selection ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Introduced Populations ◽  
Evolutionary Changes

Background and aims – Introduced populations can potentially experience strong selection and rapid evolution. While some retrospective studies have shown rapid evolution in introduced populations in the past, few have directly tested for and characterized evolution as it occurs. Here we use an experimental introduction to directly observe and quantify evolution of multiple traits in a plant population introduced to a novel environment. Methods – We experimentally introduced seeds of the annual plant Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae) from a location in southern California into multiple replicated plots in New York. We allowed the populations to naturally evolve for 3 years. Following the resurrection approach, we compared ancestors and descendants planted in common garden conditions in New York in multiple phenotypic traits. Key results – Within only three generations, there was significant evolution of several morphological, phenological, and fitness traits, as well as substantial variation among traits. Despite selection for larger size during the three years following introduction, there was evolution of smaller size, earlier flowering time, and shorter duration of flowering. Although there were rapid evolutionary changes in traits, descendants did not have greater fitness than ancestors in New York, indicating a lack of evidence for adaptive evolution, at least over the timeframe of the study. Conclusions – This study found rapid evolution of several morphological and phenological traits, including smaller plant size and shorter time to flowering, following introduction, confirming that evolution can rapidly occur during the early stages of colonization. Many traits evolved in the opposite direction predicted from phenotypic selection analysis, which suggests that the resurrection approach can reveal unanticipated evolutionary changes and can be very useful for studying contemporary evolution.

scholarly journals Behavioural syndromes shape evolutionary trajectories via conserved genetic architecture

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1927) ◽  
pp. 20200183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Royauté ◽  
Ann Hedrick ◽  
Ned A. Dochtermann
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Architecture ◽  
Behavioural Syndrome ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Covariance ◽  
Field Crickets ◽  
Behavioural Syndromes ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Gryllus Integer

Behaviours are often correlated within broader syndromes, creating the potential for evolution in one behaviour to drive evolutionary changes in other behaviours. Despite demonstrations that behavioural syndromes are common, this potential for evolutionary effects has not been demonstrated. Here we show that populations of field crickets ( Gryllus integer ) exhibit a genetically conserved behavioural syndrome structure, despite differences in average behaviours. We found that the distribution of genetic variation and genetic covariance among behavioural traits was consistent with genes and cellular mechanisms underpinning behavioural syndromes rather than correlated selection. Moreover, divergence among populations' average behaviours was constrained by the genetically conserved behavioural syndrome. Our results demonstrate that a conserved genetic architecture linking behaviours has shaped the evolutionary trajectories of populations in disparate environments—illustrating an important way for behavioural syndromes to result in shared evolutionary fates.

scholarly journals Evolutionary Highways to Persistent Bacterial Infection

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Bartell ◽  
Lea M Sommer ◽  
Janus A J Haagensen ◽  
Anne Loch ◽  
Rocio Espinosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Trait ◽  
Host Finding ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Rapid Adaptation ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
New Associations ◽  
Persistent Infections ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Pathoadaptive Mutations ◽  
Trait Correlations

ABSTRACTPersistent infections require bacteria to evolve from their naïve colonization state by optimizing fitness in the host. This optimization involves coordinated adaptation of multiple traits, obscuring evolutionary trends and complicating infection management. Accordingly, we screen 8 infection-relevant phenotypes of 443 longitudinal Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from 39 young cystic fibrosis patients over 10 years. Using statistical modeling, we map evolutionary trajectories and identify trait correlations accounting for patient-specific influences. By integrating previous genetic analyses of 474 isolates, we provide a window into early adaptation to the host, finding: 1) a 2-3 year timeline of rapid adaptation after colonization, 2) variant “naïve” and “adapted” states reflecting discordance between phenotypic and genetic adaptation, 3) adaptive trajectories leading to persistent infection via 3 distinct evolutionary modes, and 4) new associations between phenotypes and pathoadaptive mutations. Ultimately, we effectively deconvolute complex trait adaptation, offering a framework for evolutionary studies and precision medicine in clinical microbiology.

Floral trait variation and links to climate in the mixed-mating annual Clarkia pulchella

Botany ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 425-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devin E. Gamble ◽  
Megan Bontrager ◽  
Amy L. Angert
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Mixed Mating ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Clarkia Pulchella ◽  
Watering Treatment

The benefits of self-fertilization can vary across environments, leading to selection for different reproductive strategies and influencing the evolution of floral traits. Although stressful conditions have been suggested to favour self-pollination, the role of climate as a driver of mating-system variation is generally not well understood. Here, we investigate the contributions of local climate to intraspecific differences in mating-system traits in Clarkia pulchella Pursh in a common-garden growth chamber experiment. We also tested for plastic responses to soil moisture with watering treatments. Herkogamy (anther–stigma spacing) correlated positively with dichogamy (timing of anther–stigma receptivity) and date of first flower, and northern populations had smaller petals and flowered earlier in response to experimental drought. Watering treatment alone had little effect on traits, and dichogamy unexpectedly decreased with annual precipitation. Populations also differed in phenological response to watering treatment, based on precipitation and winter temperature of their origin, indicating that populations from cool and dry sites have greater plasticity under different levels of moisture stress. While some variation in floral traits is attributable to climate, further investigation into variation in pollinator communities and the indirect effects of climate on mating system can improve our understanding of the evolution of plant mating.

scholarly journals Mortality and coexistence time both cause changes in predator-prey co-evolutionary dynamics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Scheuerl ◽  
Veijo Kaitala
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Predation Efficiency ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Predator Defence ◽  
Transfer Interval

AbstractAll organisms are sensitive to the abiotic environment, and in multispecies communities a deteriorating environment increasing mortality and limiting coexistence time can cause ecological changes. When interaction within the community is changed this can impact co-evolutionary processes. Here we use a mathematical model to predict ecological and evolutionary changes in a simple predator-prey community under different mortality rates and times of coexistence, both controlled by various transfer volume and transfer interval. In the simulated bacteria-ciliate system, we find species densities to be surprisingly robust under changed mortality rates and times both species coexist, resulting in stable densities. Confirming a theoretical prediction however, the evolution of anti-predator defence in the bacteria and evolution of predation efficiency in ciliates relax under high mortalities and limited times both partners interact. In contrast, evolutionary trajectories intensify when global mortalities are low, and the predator-prey community has more time for close interaction. These results provide testable hypotheses for future studies of predator-prey systems and we hope this work will help to bridge the gap in our knowledge how ecological and evolutionary process together shape composition of microbial communities.

scholarly journals Variation in context dependent foraging behavior across pollinators

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Briggs ◽  
Stuart Graham ◽  
Callin M. Switzer ◽  
Robin Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Flower Color ◽  
Color Preference ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Color Preferences ◽  
Natural Field

Pollinator foraging behavior has direct consequences for plant reproduction and has been implicated in driving floral trait evolution. Exploring the degree to which pollinators exhibit flexibility in foraging behavior will add to a mechanistic understanding of how pollinators can impact selection on plant traits. Although plants have evolved suites of floral traits to attract pollinators, flower color is a particularly important aspect of the floral display. Some pollinators show strong innate color preference, but many pollinators display flexibility in preference due to learning associations between rewards and color, or due to variable perception of color in different environments or plant communities. This study examines the flexibility in flower color preference of two groups of native butterfly pollinators under natural field conditions. Our study reveals that pipevine swallowtails and skippers, the predominate pollinators of the two native Texas Phlox species, display distinct patterns of color preferences across different contexts. Pipevine swallowtails exhibit highly flexible color preferences and likely utilize other floral traits to make foraging decisions. In contrast, skippers have consistent color preferences and likely use flower color as a primary cue for foraging. As a result of this variation in color preference flexibility, the two pollinator groups impose concordant selection on flower color in some contexts but discordant selection in other contexts. This variability could have profound implications for how flower traits respond to pollinator-mediated selection. Our findings suggest that studying dynamics of behavior in natural field conditions is important for understanding plant-pollinator interactions.

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