U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            SPIGLER, RACHEL - University Of Pittsburghitem
                                            ASHMAN, TIA-LYNN - University Of Pittsburghitem
                                            Lewers, Kimberly
  Submitted to: Evolution
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2010
                                    Publication  Date: 11/30/2010
                                    Citation: Spigler, R.B., Ashman, T., Lewers, K.S. 2010. Genetic architecture of sexual dimorphism in a subdioecious plant with a proto-sex chromosome. Evolution. 65(4):1114-1126.Interpretive Summary: Scientists know little about how genes are organized in the modern strawberry. By studying wild relatives of the modern strawberry,  we determined the locations of genes in the strawberry that influence male and female flower development and hence may be associated with strawberry fruit production. The distribution of these genes in strawberry will help scientists better understand strawberry evolution and come up with better ways to develop new improved strawberries.
                                Technical Abstract: Sexual dimorphism is thought to arise once sexually antagonistic genes accumulate on sex chromosomes early in their evolution. Yet because the earliest stages of sex chromosome evolution are elusive, we lack empirical evidence supporting this theory. In this study, we shed first light on the genetic architecture of sexual dimorphism in subdioecious octoploid Fragaria virginiana, a species with a purported proto-sex chromosome, using QTL analysis. Our results clearly show that the region housing the male-function locus not only controls quantitative variation in female function, confirming the existence of a proto-sex chromosome, but also houses major QTL for eight additional sexually dimorphic traits. Examination of the genetic architecture of previously described trait correlations revealed genetically-based trade-offs between male and female traits expected from theory and suggested few constraints to the evolution of greater sexual dimorphism. Repeated involvement of linkage groups homeologous to the proto-sex chromosome in these correlations highlights the polyploid nature of F. virginiana and points to the intriguing possibility that this homeologous group serves as a reproductive hub housing genes controlling primary and secondary sexual traits, thus predisposing one of the chromosomes to become a sex chromosome. Consequently, this system may provide an example of an alternate route to the evolution of sexual dimorphism and sex chromosomes.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov