Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i>
We know little about the underlying genetic control of phenotypic patterns of seed traits across large-scale geographic and environmental gradients. Such knowledge is important for understanding the evolution of populations within species and for improving species conservation. Therefore, to test fo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/4/522 |
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| author | Elizabeth P. Lacey Matthew M. Marshall Marc Bucciarelli Scott J. Richter |
| author_facet | Elizabeth P. Lacey Matthew M. Marshall Marc Bucciarelli Scott J. Richter |
| author_sort | Elizabeth P. Lacey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We know little about the underlying genetic control of phenotypic patterns of seed traits across large-scale geographic and environmental gradients. Such knowledge is important for understanding the evolution of populations within species and for improving species conservation. Therefore, to test for genetic variation in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i>, we made reciprocal crosses between northern and southern genotypes that span the species’ range in Europe. The results provide evidence of transgenerational genetic effects on seed mass and germination timing. Northern mothers produced larger seeds with delayed germination, in contrast to southern mothers, which produced smaller seeds with accelerated germination. A maternal latitude affected both the seed coat, solely maternal tissue, and embryo/endosperm tissues. Thus, latitudinal variation in seed size and germination timing can be explained, in part, by the direct influence of maternal genotype, independent of zygotic genes that parents pass directly to the embryo and endosperm. Data suggest that researchers exploring the existence and evolution of large-scale geographic variation within species test for transgenerational genetic effects. In addition, data suggest that transgenerational control of seed traits should be considered when developing procedures designed to facilitate species conservation and restoration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:11:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-19fdc3b87bb74e4ca6402466b8aece01 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:11:45Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-19fdc3b87bb74e4ca6402466b8aece012023-11-23T21:42:49ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472022-02-0111452210.3390/plants11040522Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i>Elizabeth P. Lacey0Matthew M. Marshall1Marc Bucciarelli2Scott J. Richter3Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USADepartment of Biology, University of North Carolina, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USADepartment of Biology, University of North Carolina, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USADepartment of Mathematics & Statistics, University of North Carolina, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USAWe know little about the underlying genetic control of phenotypic patterns of seed traits across large-scale geographic and environmental gradients. Such knowledge is important for understanding the evolution of populations within species and for improving species conservation. Therefore, to test for genetic variation in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i>, we made reciprocal crosses between northern and southern genotypes that span the species’ range in Europe. The results provide evidence of transgenerational genetic effects on seed mass and germination timing. Northern mothers produced larger seeds with delayed germination, in contrast to southern mothers, which produced smaller seeds with accelerated germination. A maternal latitude affected both the seed coat, solely maternal tissue, and embryo/endosperm tissues. Thus, latitudinal variation in seed size and germination timing can be explained, in part, by the direct influence of maternal genotype, independent of zygotic genes that parents pass directly to the embryo and endosperm. Data suggest that researchers exploring the existence and evolution of large-scale geographic variation within species test for transgenerational genetic effects. In addition, data suggest that transgenerational control of seed traits should be considered when developing procedures designed to facilitate species conservation and restoration.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/4/522transgenerational effectsmaternal genetic effectslatitudeseedgermination<i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth P. Lacey Matthew M. Marshall Marc Bucciarelli Scott J. Richter Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> Plants transgenerational effects maternal genetic effects latitude seed germination <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| title | Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| title_full | Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| title_fullStr | Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| title_short | Transgenerational Genetic Effects Help Explain Latitudinal Variation in Seed Mass and Germination Timing in <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| title_sort | transgenerational genetic effects help explain latitudinal variation in seed mass and germination timing in i plantago lanceolata i |
| topic | transgenerational effects maternal genetic effects latitude seed germination <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/4/522 |
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