UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Repeated polyploidization shapes divergence in floral morphology in Lithophragma bolanderi (Saxifragaceae)

Gross, Karin; Yazdi, Homa Papoli; Schlager, Elisabeth; Lilley, Jodie; Romero-Bravo, Andrés; Runemark, Anna; Thompson, John N; (2025) Repeated polyploidization shapes divergence in floral morphology in Lithophragma bolanderi (Saxifragaceae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 122 (33) , Article e2505119122. 10.1073/pnas.2505119122. Green open access

[thumbnail of Lilley_gross-et-al-repeated-polyploidization-shapes-divergence-in-floral-morphology-in-lithophragma-bolanderi-(saxifragaceae).pdf]
Preview
Text
Lilley_gross-et-al-repeated-polyploidization-shapes-divergence-in-floral-morphology-in-lithophragma-bolanderi-(saxifragaceae).pdf

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Polyploidization is an important driver of evolution and diversification in flowering plants. Here, we assess how repeated polyploidization may have shaped diversification of floral morphology in Lithophragma bolanderi (Saxifragaceae). This species comprises multiple cytotypes and varies geographically in its interactions with specialized pollinating moths in the genus Greya (Prodoxidae). Past studies have shown that coevolution with these moths has favored particular suites of floral characters but does not fully explain local and regional floral diversification. We combined phenotypic and genomic data from more than 1,800 individuals from 40 L. bolanderi populations spread across its entire range. Flow-cytometric analyses revealed a geographic mosaic of populations comprising one to four of three dominant (diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid) and three rare (triploid, pentaploid, octoploid) cytotypes. Whole-genome resequencing of a subset of populations suggested that polyploids arose from multiple autopolyploidization events, rather than a single event and/or through hybridization, albeit with some signals consistent with low levels of introgression from the congener Lithophragma glabrum. Quantification of flower traits from plants grown in a common garden showed that cytotype explained more than 15% of the variation in floral morphology, with polyploids showing more variability than diploids. Experimental induction of neopolyploids directly induced phenotypic changes but also indicated that local selection may have favored subsequent convergence in floral morphology among cytotypes in natural populations. Collectively, this comprehensive and integrative approach provides insights into how variability generating processes, such as polyploidization integrates with selection from species interactions to shape local floral diversification.

Type: Article
Title: Repeated polyploidization shapes divergence in floral morphology in Lithophragma bolanderi (Saxifragaceae)
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2505119122
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2505119122
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2025 the Author(s). Published by PNAS. This open access article is distributed under Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords: polyploidy, diversification, floral evolution, geographic mosaic, pollination
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Genetics, Evolution and Environment
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10212433
Downloads since deposit
3Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item