First Advisor
Mitch Cruzan
Date of Award
Spring 6-16-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology and University Honors
Department
Biology
Language
English
Subjects
natural selection, evolution, developmental selection, Mimulus guttatus, genomics
DOI
10.15760/honors.1481
Abstract
A lack of genomic studies examining gametophytic selection (GS) and selective embryo abortion (SEA)--which occur during the reproduction of angiosperms--leaves questions regarding the adaptive and evolutionary effects of these processes. Analyzing deviations from Mendelian segregation offers an avenue for identifying loci targeted by GS and SEA, and their contributions to purging of genetic load. However, other selective processes such as meiotic drive and cytonuclear interactions, as well as pollen and ovule abortion, can cause distortion. To distinguish the effects of GS and SEA from other causes of distortion, we will perform reciprocal crosses between highly homozygous and highly heterozygous individuals of Mimulus guttatus and conduct pooled sequencing of pollen and seeds. Given that a large fraction of the genome is expressed in pollen and seeds, we expect a large proportion of the genome to exhibit segregation distortion due to GS and SEA.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/41837
Recommended Citation
Willson, Desmond C., "Isolation of Gametophytic Selection and Selective Embryo Abortion in Mimulus guttatus" (2024). University Honors Theses. Paper 1449.
https://doi.org/10.15760/honors.1481