Standing genetic variation in a tissue-specific enhancer underlies selfing-syndrome evolution in Capsella
Abstract
Flower size can change rapidly in evolution; in particular, the frequent transition from animal-mediated out-crossing to self-pollination is often associated with a dramatic, yet rapid and specific, reduction in flower size. Here we demonstrate that the small petals of the selfing red Shepherd's Purse (Capsella rubella) are because of a specific reduction in the activity of a general growth factor in petals. Different-strength versions of this growth gene were already present in the ancestral out-breeding population, and capture of a weak version from this pool can explain the rapid reduction of petal size in C. rubella. The additive effects of segregating small-effect mutations with low pleiotropy allowed specific modulation of petal size to enable adaptation to a new mode of reproduction.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- November 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1613394113
- Bibcode:
- 2016PNAS..11313911S