Genetic architecture of floral traits in bee‐ and hummingbird‐pollinated sister species of Aquilegia (columbine)

• DOI: 10.1111/evo.14313
• Publication Date: 2021-07-16T12:48:55Z
• Authors: Molly B. Edwards; Gary P. T. Choi; Nathan J. Derieg; Ya Min; Angie C. Diana; Scott A. Hodges; L. Mahadevan; Elena M. Kramer; Evangeline S. Bal...
• Keywords: Hummingbird; Genetic architecture; Heterostyly

Interactions with animal pollinators have helped shape the stunning diversity of flower morphologies across angiosperms. A common evolutionary consequence these interactions is that some flowers converged on suites traits, or pollination syndromes, attract and reward specific pollinator groups. Determining genetic basis floral syndromes can help us understand processes contributed to diversification Here, we characterize architecture a bee-to-hummingbird shift in Aquilegia (columbine) using QTL mapping 17 traits encompassing color, nectar composition, organ morphology. In this system, find architectures underlying differences color are quite complex, identify several likely candidate genes involved anthocyanin carotenoid pigmentation. Most morphological also complex underpinnings; however, one key phenotypes, spur curvature, shaped by single locus large effect.