Genomic architecture of phenotypic divergence between two hybridizing plant species along an elevational gradient
Abstract
Knowledge of the genetic basis of phenotypic divergence between species and how such divergence is caused and maintained is crucial to an understanding of speciation and the generation of biodiversity. The hybrid zone between Senecio aethnensis and S. chrysanthemifolius on Mount Etna, Sicily, provides a well-studied example of species divergence in response to conditions at different elevations, despite hybridization and gene flow. Here, we investigate the genetic architecture of divergence between these two species using a combination of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genetic differentiation measures based on genetic marker analysis. A QTL architecture characterized by physical QTL clustering, epistatic interactions between QTLs, and pleiotropy was identified, and is consistent with the presence of divergent QTL complexes resistant to gene flow. A role for divergent selection between species was indicated by significant negative associations between levels of interspecific genetic differentiation at mapped marker gene loci and map distance from QTLs and hybrid incompatibility loci. Within-species selection contributing to interspecific differentiation was evidenced by negative associations between interspecific genetic differentiation and genetic diversity within species. These results show that the two Senecio species, while subject to gene flow, maintain divergent genomic regions consistent with local selection within species and selection against hybrids between species which, in turn, contribute to the maintenance of their distinct phenotypic differences.
Citation
Brennan , A C , Hiscock , S J & Abbott , R J 2016 , ' Genomic architecture of phenotypic divergence between two hybridizing plant species along an elevational gradient ' , AoB Plants , vol. 8 , no. plw022 . https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plw022
Publication
AoB Plants
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
2041-2851Type
Journal article
Description
The research was funded by a NERC Grant NE/D014166/1 to R.J.A. as Principal Investigator. A.C.B. was supported during part of the writing of this paper by funding from FP7-REGPOT 2010-1, Grant No. 264125 EcoGenes.Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.