Domestication Syndrome Research Articles

Genetic analysis of the domestication syndrome in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L., Poaceae): inheritance of the major characters

Genetic analysis of the domestication syndrome in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L., Poaceae): inheritance of the major characters

Genetic analysis of the domestication syndrome in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L., Poaceae): inheritance of the major characters

The inheritance of domestication traits distinguishing pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) from its wild relatives (P. mollissimum) was assessed in F2 progenies derived from a cross between a typical landrace of pearl millet and a wild ecotype. Despite a high level of recombination between the two genomes, the existence of preferential associations between some characters was demonstrated, leading, in particular, to cultivated-like phenotypes. Traits determining spikelet structure showed simple Mendelian inheritance. Moreover, the genes encoding these traits mapped in a linkage group where quantitative trait loci for spike size and tillering habit were found. This linkage group could correspond to one of the two chromosome segments that have already been shown to be involved in the variation for spikelet structure in progenies from several cultivated×wild crosses. A synthetic map of these two regions is given. The evolutionary significance of this genomic organization in relation to the domestication process is discussed, as well as its potential use for pearl millet genetic resources enhancement.

Genetic Control of the Domestication Syndrome in Common Bean

The marked pbenotypic differences for morphological and physiological traits that distinguish wild progenitors and cultivated descendants (“the domestication syndrome”) and the lack of information about their genetic control have limited the utilization of wild germplasm for crop involvement. This study was conducted to assess the genetic control of the domestication syndrome in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A recombinant inbred population resulting from a cross between a wild and a cultivated common bean was subjected to molecular linkage mapping and evaluation in short‐day and long‐day environments. We show that the genetic control of this syndrome in common bean involves genes that can have a large effect (>25–30%) and account for a substantial part of the phenotypic variation observed (>40–50%). The distribution of domestication syndrome genes appears to be concentrations in three genomic regions with a major effect on the syndrome, one of which greatly affects growth habit and phenology, the other seed dispersal and dormancy, and a third, the size of fruit and seed, all of which are important traits in determining adaptation to a cultivated environment. Whereas the influence of genetic background and environment on the expression of some traits will have to be further analyzed, our results suggest, however, that domestication of common bean could have proceeded rapidly (provided that genetic diversity and selection intensity were high) and that evolution can proceed through changes involving a few genes with large effect rather than through a gradual accumulation of changes coded by changes with small effects. They also suggest that adaptation to rapidly changing environmental conditions may involve genes with large phenotypic effects. The information presented here should lead to marker‐assisted selection experiments of introgression of additional genetic diversity into the cultivated common bean gene pool.

Acetone poisoning following the application of a lightweight cast.

<h3>ABSTRACT</h3> This study identifies and analyzes statistically significant overlaps between selective sweep screens in anatomically modern humans and several domesticated species. The results obtained suggest that (paleo-) genomic data can be exploited to complement the fossil record and support the idea of self-domestication in <i>Homo sapiens,</i> a process that likely intensified as our species populated its niche. Our analysis lends support to attempts to capture the “domestication syndrome” in terms of alterations to certain signaling pathways and cell lineages, such as the neural crest.