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Abstract Detail


Molecular Ecology and Evolution

Huang, Pu [1], Schaal, Barbara [2].

Asymmetric gene flow and population growth: complex demographic processes during rice domestication.

Genetic variation in natural populations is created by mutation, and shaped over time by biological, demographical and historical processes. On one hand, demographic processes (population size changes, migration among populations) can shape the pattern of genetic variation by shifting the relative importance of microevolutionary forces, such as gene flow and genetic drift. At the same time, these demographic processes also respond to environmental and climatic variables that change over the lifespan of a species. Determine the timing, strength and interaction of demographic processes is a central question of population genetic studies.
Our previous study of Asian wild rice, Oryza rufipogon, detected two genetically distinct subgroups. The two groups showed an east-west clinal pattern of variation. In this study, we aim to understand the demographic processes behind this observed pattern, and to investigate the potential climatic variables associated with these changes. Combining the datasets from two previous studies, we apply coalescent-based and diffusion-based analysis approaches to detect the signals of historical demographic processes. We also correlate the pattern of genetic variation with current and past climatic variables to determine potential climatic causes of demographic shifts. Our results suggest that strong asymmetric gene flow may be responsible for population subdivision in O. rufipogon, and that rapid population growth is also involved in creating the observed pattern of genetic variation. Finally, our results indicate that past climate changes may have played an important role in creating the clinal pattern of genetic variation in O. rufipogon.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - Washington University, Biology Dept, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
2 - Washington University, Department Of Biology, CAMPUS BOX 1137, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130-4899, USA

Keywords:
Oryza rufipogon
Oryza sativa
Asymmetric gene flow
Domestication.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 16
Location: Union B/Hyatt
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 4:30 PM
Number: 16012
Abstract ID:542


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