Skip to main content
Duke University Libraries
DukeSpace Scholarship by Duke Authors
  • Login
  • Ask
  • Menu
  • Login
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Search & Find
  • Using the Library
  • Research Support
  • Course Support
  • Libraries
  • About
View Item 
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Duke Dissertations
  • View Item
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Duke Dissertations
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

The Mating System Evolution of Ipomoea lacunosa

Thumbnail
View / Download
1.8 Mb
Date
2013
Author
Duncan, Tanya Marie
Advisor
Rausher, Mark D
Repository Usage Stats
366
views
404
downloads
Abstract

The evolution of selfing from outcrossing is one of the most frequent mating system transitions in angiosperms. Plants that are highly selfing typically exhibit a suite of morphological traits termed a "selfing syndrome," including reduced corollas and reproductive structures, loss of corolla pigmentation, little anther-stigma separation, and a low pollen/ovule ratio. The overall consensus among scientist is that the morphological changes that accompany the transition to selfing are adaptive and thus a product of natural selection. Few attempts, however, have been made to determine whether traits of the selfing syndrome are truly an operation of natural selection or if genetic drift could be the acting force. My dissertation examines the roles that natural selection and genetic drift played in the evolution of the selfing syndrome in Ipomoea lacunosa. With the use of field observations, crossing data, and molecular analyses, I show that I. lacunosa has evolved increased selfing ability, decreased anther-stigma distance and smaller, white flowers, compared to its closest relative I. cordatotriloba. Furthermore, using a standard QST - FST comparison, I evaluated the relative importance of selection and drift in the evolution of the selfing syndrome in I. lacunosa. I also identified the genetic basis of flower color divergence between I. lacunosa (white) and I. cordatotriloba (purple) and examined patterns of variation to determine if selection or genetic drift caused the divergence. Analyses revealed that the traits of I. lacunosa characteristic of the selfing syndrome have evolved as a product of natural selection, not genetic drift.

Type
Dissertation
Department
Biology
Subject
Biology
Genetics
flower color
Ipomoea cordatotriloba
Ipomoea lacunosa
natural selection
QST - FST comparison
selfing syndrome
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/7103
Citation
Duncan, Tanya Marie (2013). The Mating System Evolution of Ipomoea lacunosa. Dissertation, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/7103.
Collections
  • Duke Dissertations
More Info
Show full item record
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Rights for Collection: Duke Dissertations


Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info

Make Your Work Available Here

How to Deposit

Browse

All of DukeSpaceCommunities & CollectionsAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit DateThis CollectionAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit Date

My Account

LoginRegister

Statistics

View Usage Statistics
Duke University Libraries

Contact Us

411 Chapel Drive
Durham, NC 27708
(919) 660-5870
Perkins Library Service Desk

Digital Repositories at Duke

  • Report a problem with the repositories
  • About digital repositories at Duke
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Deaccession and DMCA Takedown Policy

TwitterFacebookYouTubeFlickrInstagramBlogs

Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Re-use & Attribution / Privacy
  • Harmful Language Statement
  • Support the Libraries
Duke University