Searching for the bull's eye: agents and targets of selection vary among geographically disparate cyanogenesis clines in white clover (Trifolium repens L.).

ABSTRACT: The recurrent evolution of adaptive clines within a species can be used to elucidate the selective factors and genetic responses that underlie adaptation. White clover is polymorphic for cyanogenesis (HCN release with tissue damage), and climate-associated cyanogenesis clines have evolved throughout the native and introduced species range. This polymorphism arises through two independently segregating Mendelian polymorphisms for the presence/absence of two required components: cyanogenic glucosides and their hydrolyzing enzyme linamarase. Cyanogenesis is commonly thought to function in herbivore defense; however, the individual cyanogenic components may also serve other physiological functions. To test whether cyanogenesis clines have evolved in response to the same selective pressures act

SUBMITTER: Kooyers NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3833685 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature