Population divergence and candidate signatures of natural selection in alpine and lowland ecotypes of the allotetrapoloid plant, Anemone multifida (Ranunculaceae)
Date
2012-09-06
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Abstract
Adaptation plays a central role in population divergence and speciation. Studying the evolutionary history of populations due to neutral evolutionary processes and the effects of natural selection enables the identification of genes under natural selection in the wild. In this thesis, I conducted a genome scan to elucidate candidate signatures of natural selection in alpine and lowland ecotypes of the allopolyploid plant, Anemone multifida. I found numerous signatures of divergent natural selection between alpine and lowland populations and between alpine populations, but natural selection appeared strongest in alpine environments. These results are consistent with findings in diploid species, but the neutral evolutionary structure of the polyploid A. multifida showed complex patterns of differentiation. Overall, these results indicate divergent natural selection has generated adaptation to alpine and lowland environments despite complex evolutionary history.
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Plant Physiology
Citation
McEwen, J. (2012). Population divergence and candidate signatures of natural selection in alpine and lowland ecotypes of the allotetrapoloid plant, Anemone multifida (Ranunculaceae) (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27382