Western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don; redcedar), an indeterminate conifer in the Cupressaceae family, is vulnerable to maladaptation in the face of climate change. Assisted gene flow is one mitigation strategy and involves human-mediated migration of populations, where the projected climate of the area of deployment matches the source climate of the population. Despite the overall projections of warmer temperatures globally, in British Columbia (B.C.), the risk of seasonal frost events will remain and therefore the potential for cold damage and mortality of redcedar exists if the newly migrated populations cannot withstand these freezing events. Knowledge of redcedar's ability to withstand freezing temperatures (cold hardiness) is therefore crucial. Redcedar, like many Cupressaceae species, produces and accumulates the purple-coloured carotenoid rhodoxanthin during the winter. This was hypothesized to be correlated with cold hardiness. Assessment of variation in overall, fall and spring cold hardiness and associated rhodoxanthin concentrations were done through repeated, seasonal freeze testing of clonal grafts originating from across the range of redcedar, and seedling progeny from a subset of these clones. Cold damage was quantified using electrolyte leakage and rhodoxanthin concentrations were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. Cold hardiness and rhodoxanthin were individually modelled using univariate and bivariate mixed effect models with clone/family as a random effect. Model outputs were compared to climatic variables associated with clonal origin to test for climatic relationships. This study found genetic variation in cold hardiness of redcedar with weak climatic clines. This indicates that assisted gene flow of redcedar should be done on a case-by-case basis, with no need for a climatic threshold. Overall heritability of cold hardiness was 0.17 ± 0.03. Novel findings included the positive genetic correlation between fall and spring cold hardiness (0.55 ± 0.33); lack of reciprocal or parental effect for overall cold hardiness; and weak climatic relationships between cold hardiness and predominantly temperature, with the strongest correlation between number of frost-free days in January (0.38, p < 0.01) in the location of origin and cold hardiness. All findings related to rhodoxanthin were novel. Rhodoxanthin varied with family/provenance and season with heritabilities of 0.30 ± 0.09 in fall, 0.42 ± 0.09 in winter and 0.28 ± 0.09 in spring. Winter and spring rhodoxanthin concentrations were phenotypically correlated (0.50, p < 0.01) and genetically correlated (0.76 ± 0.14). Surprisingly, rhodoxanthin was not detected in clonal grafts of redcedar in any season. Results also indicate that rhodoxanthin cannot be used to estimate cold hardiness. The absence of rhodoxanthin in the clonal grafts compared to the seedlings suggests that plant age impacts rhodoxanthin accumulation. / Graduate / 2021-12-14

Resumo: A presença de interação genótipo-ambiente é caracterizada pela resposta diferente de genótipos às variações ambientais, e pode ocasionar alteração na classificação de desempenho dos genótipos em diferentes ambientes. Assim é de fundamental importância sua investigação para se obter maior precisão na seleção dos animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de interação genótipo−ambiente para peso ao sobreano em bovinos da raça Canchim criados no Brasil no período de 1989 a 2000. As metodologias utilizadas foram: 1-comparação de dois modelos: com e sem o efeito não correlacionado touro−ambiente; 2-correlação genética entre o peso ao sobreano em diferentes ambientes; 3-correlação de Pearson e de Spearman entre os valores genéticos dos animais obtidos nos diferentes ambientes, em análises uni e multicaráter; e 4-normas de reação dos animais sobre um gradiente ambiental, obtidas por regressão aleatória. Os ambientes estudados nas metodologias 1, 2 e 3 foram quatro regiões do Brasil (1-Paraná, 2-São Paulo, 3-Minas Gerais e 4- Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul) e três grupos de municípios do Estado de São Paulo, formados por técnica estatística multivariada para definir grupos de ambientes por meio de variáveis climáticas. Para a metodologia 4, o gradiente ambiental foi obtido por meio das soluções de grupo de contemporâneos. Os modelos utilizados nos métodos 1, 2 e 3 incluíram efeitos fixos de grupo de contemporâneos e de idade ao sobreano como covariável, e os efeitos aleatórios aditivos diretos e residuais. Para o método 4, o modelo incluiu o efeito fixo de idade ao sobreano como covariável, os efeitos aleatórios de grupo de contemporâneos e efeitos genéticos aditivo do intercepto e da inclinação da norma de reação. Os resultados indicaram diferenças nos modelos comparados (com e sem o efeito touro−ambiente)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The genotype-environment interaction presence is characterized by different answers of genotypes to ambient variations, and can cause changes in the classification of the genotypes performances in different environments. The objective in this study was to investigate the presence of genotype - environment interaction for post-yearling weight of Canchim cattle raised in Brazil in the period of 1989 to 2000. The methodologies used were: 1-comparison of two models: with and without the uncorrelated sire−environment effect; 2-genetic correlation between postyearling weight in different environments; 3- Pearson's and Spearman's correlations between animal's breeding values in different environments in one and multitrait analyses; and 4- reaction norms of animals on environmental gradient obtained by random regression. The environments investigated in methods 1, 2 and 3 were four regions of Brazil (1-State of Paraná, 2- State of São Paulo, 3- State of Minas Gerais, and 4- States of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul) and three city clusters of the State of São Paulo, formed by multivariate methods to define homogeneous environments of production through climatic variables. For method 4 the environmental gradient was obtained through solutions of contemporary groups. The models used in methods 1, 2 and 3 included fixed effects and random additive direct and residual effects. The model for method 4 included the fixed effect of post-yearling age as covariate, the random effect of contemporary group, and the random additive genetic effecs of intercept and inclination of the reaction norms. The results indicated that differences in the models compared (with and without sire−environment effect), low genetic correlations (0.07 to 0.51) among post-yearling weight in different environments, reclassification of the animals in environments, a scale effect in reaction norms... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Mauricio Mello de Alencar / Coorientador: Fernando Flores Cardoso / Banca: Joanir Pereira Eler / Banca: Alfredo Ribeiro de Freitas / Banca: Sandra Aidar de Queiroz / Banca: João Ademir de Oliveira / Doutor

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo foram caracterizar e definir ambientes homogêneos de produção de bovinos de corte compostos no Brasil com relação às variáveis climáticas e geográficas, utilizando técnicas exploratórias multivariadas. Verificar a presença de interação genótipo-ambiente (GxE) nas características peso ao nascimento (PN), peso a desmama (PD), ganho de peso da desmama ao sobreano (GP), perímetro escrotal (PE) e musculosidade (MUS). Pela análise de agrupamento não-hierárquico foram agrupadas as regiões similares com relação às variáveis ambientais. Foram formados seis grupos de fazendas. A inclusão do efeito de interação touro-grupo foi avaliada em análises uni-característica. Comparou-se um modelo com o efeito de interação touro-grupo com outro sem esse efeito. Incluir o efeito de interação touro-GEO no modelo de avaliação genética do PN, PD e PE não resultou melhor ajuste aos dados, no entanto não deve ser descartada a hipótese de se considerar outros tipos de efeitos de GxE. Foram estimados parâmetros genéticos por meio de análises multi-característica, considerando-se a mesma característica como diferente em cada grupo de fazendas. Foi verificada heterogeneidade de variância para todas as características. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade nos grupos de fazendas para PN, PD, GP, PE e MUS variaram de 0,15 a 0,25; 0,16 a 0,25; 0,10 a 0,20; 0,17 a 0,31 e 0,17 a 0,24, respectivamente. As correlações genéticas variaram de 0,19 a 0,90 para PN, -0,02 a 0,92 para PD, 0,31 a 0,93 para GP, 0,64 a 0,89 para PE e de 0,18 a 0,80 para MUS nos grupos fazendas. As diferentes estimativas de herdabilidade obtidas entre grupos de fazendas implicam resposta à seleção diferenciada conforme o ambiente em que os animais são criados e selecionados. Pelas correlações genéticas entre as características nas diversas regiões, constatou-se GxE, indicando que os melhores reprodutores para uma determinada região não são sempre os mesmos para as demais. Um modelo hierárquico de norma de reação sob abordagem Bayesiana também foi utilizado para estimação dos componentes de variância, parâmetros genéticos e verificação da existência de GxE. Os gradientes ambientais baseados nas soluções para o efeito de grupo de contemporâneos para PN, PD, GP e PE foram -6,45 a +4,75 kg, -65 a +65 kg, -72 a +112 kg e -6.5 a +5.5 cm, respectivamente. As estimativas de herdabilidade foram crescentes no gradiente ambiental, PN (0,04 a 0,55), PD (0,39 a 0,47), GP (0,01 a 0,43) e PE (0,21 a 0,23). A correlação entre o nível e a inclinação da norma de reação para PN e GP foi de alta magnitude, indicando que os animais de maior valor genético médio foram os que apresentaram maior resposta à melhoria das condições ambientais, caracterizando o efeito de escala da GxE. Para PD e PE, a correlação entre intercepto e inclinação foi baixa implicando reclassificação dos animais em ambientes diferentes. O modelo hierárquico de normas de reação foi útil para descrever alterações nos componentes de variância decorrentes do ambiente e para descrever a presença de GxE nas características estudadas de bovinos compostos. Existe variação genética com respeito à sensibilidade dos animais, o que possibilita a seleção de genótipos mais plásticos ou mais robustos. / The objectives of this study were to characterize and define homogenous production environments of composite beef cattle in Brazil in terms of climatic and geographic variables using multivariate exploratory techniques; to evaluate the presence of genotype by environment interaction (GxE) for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), postweaning gain (PWG), scrotal circumference (SC) and muscling. Nonhierarchical cluster analysis was used to group farms located in regions with similar environmental variables into clusters. Six clusters of farms were formed. The effect of sire-cluster interaction was tested by single-trait analysis. The inclusion of sire-cluster interaction in the genetic evaluation model may not result in better fit to the data for BW, WW and SC. Genetic parameters were estimated by multiple-trait analysis considering the same trait to be different in each cluster. The heritability coefficient in the clusters for BW, WW, PWG, SC and muscling ranged from 0.15 to 0.25; 0.16 to 0.25; 0.10 to 0.20; 0.17 to 0.31 and 0.17 to 0.24, respectively. The genetic correlations ranged from 0.19 to 0.90 for BW, -0.02 to 0.92 for WW, 0.31 to 0.93 for PWG, 0.64 a 0.89 for SC and 0.18 to 0.80 for muscling in the clusters of farms. The different heritability estimates between groups of farms indicates that the response to selection varies with the environment in which animals are selected. The low genetic correlations between traits in the different regions demonstrated the presence of GxE, indicating that the best sires in a certain region are not the same for the other regions. A reaction norm hierarchical model using Bayesian approach was also used for estimation of variance components, genetic parameters and to verify the existence of GxE. Environmental gradients based in solutions for the effect of contemporary groups for BW, WW, PWG and SC were -6.45 to +4.75 kg, -65 kg to +65, -72 to +112 kg and -6.5 to +5.5 cm, respectively. Heritability estimates were increasing in the environmental gradient, BW (0.04 to 0.55), WW (0.39 to 0.47), PWG (0.01 to 0.43) and SC (0.21 to 0.23). The correlation between the level and slope of reaction norm for BW and PWG was of high magnitude, indicating that animals of higher average breeding value were the ones which presented a best response to environmental improvement, characterizing a scale effect on GxE. For WW and SC, the correlation between intercept and slope was low implying reranking of animals in different environments. The reaction norm hierarchical model has been useful to describe changes in the variance components due to the environment and to describe the presence of GxE traits in composite beef cattle. There is genetic variation with respect to the sensitivity of the animals, which enables the selection of genotypes most plastics or more robust.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2017-09-13T13:51:47Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Moreira, Raphael Patrick.pdf: 1363040 bytes, checksum: 74bca5c71c7cd6e6549ae07aa1b28433 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-13T13:51:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Moreira, Raphael Patrick.pdf: 1363040 bytes, checksum: 74bca5c71c7cd6e6549ae07aa1b28433 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A larga utilização da inseminação artificial favoreceu que diferentes genótipos fossem distribuídos em distintas regiões ao redor do mundo. A falta de adaptação a algumas condições ambientais pode causar um efeito denominado interação genótipo x ambiente, principalmente em características poligênicas, ocorrendo alterações nos parâmetros genéticos. Deste modo, objetivou-se avaliar a interação genótipo x ambiente através das correlações genéticas para produção de leite (PL), produção de gordura no leite (PG) e produção de proteína no leite (PP). Foram utilizadas 57.967 vacas primíparas, com lactações entre os anos 1990 e 2015 e matriz de parentesco de 106.417 animais para estimar a correlação genética entre três regiões de climas distintos. O banco de dados utilizado pertence a Associação Paranaense de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Holandesa – APCBRH e foi dividido por região de acordo com a classificação climática em, R1) Clima mesotérmico úmido e super úmido; R2) Clima mesotérmico sem estação seca e R3) Clima mesotérmico com estação seca. Os efeitos inclusos no modelo foram efeitos fixos do grupo de contemporâneo (rebanho e ano de nascimento), como covariável a idade ao parto e o efeito genético aditivo como efeito aleatório. Os parâmetros genéticos foram estimados pelo método REML, utilizando o programa VCE 6.0. Para obtenção dos valores genéticos utilizou-se o programa PEST2, e posteriormente, os touros foram classificados e submetidos às correlações de Pearson e Spearman, respectivamente. Foram verificados os animais coincidentes entre as regiões, considerando os touros 10% melhores classificados em cada região para realização da comparação estatística. A herdabilidade variou entre as regiões de 0,16 a 0,21 para PL, de 0,17 a 0,25 para PG e de 0,10 a 0,17 para PP. As correlações genéticas, correlações de Pearson, correlações de Spearman e porcentagem de animais coincidentes para as três características entre as regiões foram todas maiores que 0,90 e, portanto, próximas de um. Os resultados obtidos demonstram não haver interação genótipo x ambiente para as três características avaliadas dentro das distintas classificações climáticas no Paraná. Ou seja, a estimativa do valor gênico de um animal em determinada região poderá também ser utilizado para outra região, sem significativo viés no progresso genético da característica. Além do mais, como não houve alteração significativa da predição genética entre regiões do Paraná, apenas um programa de seleção pode ser adotado, o qual incluiria todos os rebanhos da raça Holandesa do estado, reduzindo seu custo e tempo. / The wide use of artificial insemination has favored that different genotypes be distributed in different regions around the world. The lack of adaptation to some environmental conditions can cause an effect called genotype x environment interaction, mainly in polygenic characteristics, with changes in genetic parameters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotype x environment interaction through genetic correlations for milk yield (MY), milk fat yield (FY) and milk protein yield (PY). A total of 57,967 primiparous cows with lactations between 1990 and 2015 and a relationship matrix of 106,848 animals were used to estimate the genetic correlation between three regions of different climates. The database used belongs to the Associação Paranaense de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Holandesa- APCBRH and was divided by region according to the climatic classification in, R1) mesothermic climate moist and super humid, R2) mesothermic climate without dry season, R3) mesothermic climate with dry season. The effects included in the model were fixed effects of the contemporary group (herd and year of birth), as covariate the age at birth and the additive genetic effect as random effect. The genetic parameters were estimated by the REML method, using the VCE 6.0 program. To obtain the genetic values, the PEST2 program was used, in which the bulls were later classified and submitted to the Pearson and Spearman correlations, respectively. The coincident animals between the regions were verified, considering the bulls 10% better classified of each region for the accomplishment of the statistical comparison. The heritability between the regions ranged from 0.16 to 0.21 for MY, from 0.17 to 0.25 for FY and from 0.10 to 0.17 for PY. Genetic correlations, Pearson correlations, Spearman correlations and percentage of coincident animals for the three characteristics between regions were all higher than 0.90 and therefore close to one. The results obtained demonstrate that there is no interaction genotype x environment for the three characteristics evaluated within the distinct climatic classifications in Paraná. That is, the estimation of the genetic value of an animal in one region may also be used for another region, without significant bias in the genetic progress of the trait. Moreover, since there was no significant change in genetic prediction between regions of Paraná, only one selection program could be adopted, which would include all the herds of the state of Holstein, reducing their cost and time.

O elevado valor sócioeconômico da soja é atribuído, em grande parte, à combinação muito favorável de altos teores de proteína e óleo, juntamente com níveis adequados de produtividade de grãos. Porém, existe uma alta correlação negativa entre os teores de proteína e óleo, fato que dificulta o melhoramento simultâneo destes caracteres. Além disso, também existe tendência de correlação negativa e moderada entre o teor de proteína e a produtividade de grãos. Existem evidências de que a seleção para densidade da semente pode promover ganhos indiretos simultâneos no teor de proteína e na produtividade de grãos. Assim, os principais objetivos deste trabalho foram: a) estimar parâmetros genéticos relacionados com a herança da densidade da semente; b) avaliar a eficiência da seleção para densidade da semente no melhoramento do teor de proteína e da produtividade de grãos. Para o estudo de herança foram utilizados quatro cruzamentos diferentes: USP98-06.011.10 x Abura, MSOY 8001 x Abura, USP98-06.027.03 x Biloxi e USP98-06.009.01 x PI 239.235, sendo que os parentais e as plantas F2 foram avaliados durante a safra 2006/07. Já para avaliar as respostas correlacionadas à seleção para densidade da semente foram delineados três experimentos distintos: Experimento Inicial, no qual foram avaliadas 520 progênies F7:6, durante a safra 2005/06; Experimento Densidade, em que foram avaliadas 100 progênies F8:6 selecionadas para densidade da semente; Experimento Alimentos, em que foram avaliadas 100 progênies F8:6 selecionadas para soja tipo alimento. Os dois últimos experimentos foram realizados durante a safra 2006/07, e as progênies avaliadas neles foram selecionadas dentre as 520 progênies F7:6 do Experimento Inicial. Os resultados permitiram chegar as seguintes conclusões: a) existe ampla variabilidade genética para densidade da semente; b) a herdabilidade no sentido amplo para este caráter é baixa quando estimada na geração F2, mas em geração avançada de endogamia atinge valor alto; c) a herança genética é aditiva e, assim, o caráter não manifesta heterose; d) existe correlação moderada e positiva da densidade da semente com a produtividade de grãos e o teor de proteína e, por outro lado, a correlação entre a densidade da semente e o teor de óleo é negativa; e) é possível identificar genótipos tipo alimento com médias altas de produtividade de grãos e teor de proteína; f) a seleção para aumentar a densidade da semente é eficiente no melhoramento simultâneo do teor de proteína e da produtividade de grãos, permitindo a obtenção de genótipos com alta produtividade de proteína; g) a seleção para reduzir a densidade da semente não promove aumentos significativos do teor de óleo. / The high socioeconomic importance of soybean is mainly attributed to its much favorable combination of high protein and oil contents, together with appropriate levels of seed yield. However, there is a high negative correlation between protein and oil contents, fact that difficult the simultaneous breeding of these traits. Besides, also there is tendency of negative and moderate correlation between protein content and seed yield. There are evidences that the selection for seed density can promote indirect responses in protein content and seed yield, simultaneously. The main objectives of this work were: a) to estimate genetic parameters related to inheritance of seed density; b) to evaluate the efficiency of selection for seed density in breeding protein content and seed yield. In the inheritance study, four different crosses were used: USP98-06.011.10 x Abura, M-SOY 8001 x Abura, USP98-06.027.03 x Biloxi e USP98-06.009.01 x PI 239.235. The parents and F2 plants were evaluated during the 2006/07 season. For evaluating the correlated responses to selection for seed density three different experiments were designed: the Initial Experiment, in which were evaluated 520 F7:6 progenies, during the 2005/06 season; the Seed Density Experiment, in that were evaluated 100 F8:6 progenies selected for seed density; and the Food Soybean Experiment, in that were evaluated 100 F8:6 progenies selected for food type soybean. The last two experiments were accomplished during the 2006/07 season, and the progenies were selected among the 520 F7:6 progenies of the Initial Experiment. The results allowed the following conclusions: a) there is genetic variability for seed density; b) the broad sense heritability for seed density is low in F2 and high in advanced generations; c) the genetic inheritance is additive, because this, there is no heterosis for seed density; d) there is moderate and positive correlation of seed density with seed yield and protein content, but the correlation between seed density and oil content is negative; e) is possible to identify food type genotypes with high means of seed yield and protein content; f) the selection to increase seed density is efficient in breeding protein content and seed yield simultaneously, obtaining genotypes with high protein yield; g) the selection to reduce seed density promote no significant increases of oil content.

<p>In this thesis, quantitative genetic approaches, common-garden experiments, and field studies were combined to examine patterns of population differentiation and the genetic architecture of characters of putative adaptive significance in the widely distributed perennial herb Lythrum salicaria. In this work, I (1) documented patterns of population differentiation in phenology, life-history, and morphology along latitudinal gradients at different geographical scales, (2) investigated the genetic architecture of phenology, flower morphology, and inflorescence size, and (3) combined estimates of phenotypic selection in the field with information on the genetic variance-covariance matrix (G) to examine potential constraints to adaptive evolution. </p><p>A common-garden experiment demonstrated latitudinal variation in life-history, and phenology of growth and reproduction among L. salicaria populations sampled across Sweden. Flower morphology varied significantly among populations, but was, with the exception of calyx length, not related to latitude of origin. A second experiment, which included two Swedish, two Dutch, and two Spanish populations, indicated that the latitudinal gradient in reproductive and vegetative phenology might extend throughout Europe.</p><p>A quantitative-genetic study of two Swedish populations revealed significant additive genetic variation for all phenological and morphological traits investigated. The G matrices of the populations differed significantly according to common principal component analysis, and genetic correlations within the study populations did not strictly correspond to trait correlations observed among populations.</p><p>In a field study, I detected directional selection through female function for larger inflorescences in two consecutive years. Relative fitness increased disproportionately with inflorescence size in the year when supplemental hand-pollination indicated that pollen limitation was severe. Genetic correlations with inflorescence size considerably influenced predicted response to selection in other characters.</p><p>Taken together, the results suggest that among-population differences in phenology and life-history in L. salicaria have evolved in response to latitudinal variation in length of the growing season. They demonstrate that the evolutionary potential of local populations may be considerable. The genetic covariance structure substantially influences predicted short-term evolutionary trajectories. However, the weak correspondence between genetic correlations documented within populations and trait correlations among populations, suggest that the G matrix has not imposed strict constraints on patterns of among-population differentiation.</p>

In this thesis, quantitative genetic approaches, common-garden experiments, and field studies were combined to examine patterns of population differentiation and the genetic architecture of characters of putative adaptive significance in the widely distributed perennial herb Lythrum salicaria. In this work, I (1) documented patterns of population differentiation in phenology, life-history, and morphology along latitudinal gradients at different geographical scales, (2) investigated the genetic architecture of phenology, flower morphology, and inflorescence size, and (3) combined estimates of phenotypic selection in the field with information on the genetic variance-covariance matrix (G) to examine potential constraints to adaptive evolution. A common-garden experiment demonstrated latitudinal variation in life-history, and phenology of growth and reproduction among L. salicaria populations sampled across Sweden. Flower morphology varied significantly among populations, but was, with the exception of calyx length, not related to latitude of origin. A second experiment, which included two Swedish, two Dutch, and two Spanish populations, indicated that the latitudinal gradient in reproductive and vegetative phenology might extend throughout Europe. A quantitative-genetic study of two Swedish populations revealed significant additive genetic variation for all phenological and morphological traits investigated. The G matrices of the populations differed significantly according to common principal component analysis, and genetic correlations within the study populations did not strictly correspond to trait correlations observed among populations. In a field study, I detected directional selection through female function for larger inflorescences in two consecutive years. Relative fitness increased disproportionately with inflorescence size in the year when supplemental hand-pollination indicated that pollen limitation was severe. Genetic correlations with inflorescence size considerably influenced predicted response to selection in other characters. Taken together, the results suggest that among-population differences in phenology and life-history in L. salicaria have evolved in response to latitudinal variation in length of the growing season. They demonstrate that the evolutionary potential of local populations may be considerable. The genetic covariance structure substantially influences predicted short-term evolutionary trajectories. However, the weak correspondence between genetic correlations documented within populations and trait correlations among populations, suggest that the G matrix has not imposed strict constraints on patterns of among-population differentiation.

My dissertation research investigates the genetic architecture and evolutionary significance of physiological variation in two wildflower species, Ipomopsis aggregata and Arabidopsis thaliana. In particular, my work focuses on water use efficiency (WUE), a critical physiological trait that dictates plant growth and performance in resource-limited environments. I used a combination of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, field selection experiments, and classic quantitative genetics to investigate 1) the genetic architecture of water use efficiency and flowering time, 2) patterns of natural selection on water use efficiency, flowering time, and other ecological traits in I. aggregata, and 3) additive genetic variation, genetic correlations, and selection on water use efficiency, flowering time, and plasticity to drought in Arabidopsis thaliana. Using an Ipomopsis aggregata genetic mapping population, I identified four QTL underlying WUE, three QTL-QTL epistatic interactions, and evidence for a possible QTL x cytoplasmic interaction affecting WUE. I found a similar genetic architecture underlying flowering time, with four main effect QTLs that all adjacently localized to the same linkage groups as WUE, and three QTL-QTL epistatic interactions, which occur between the same chromosome pairs as the WUE interactions. The combined main and interactive effects explain 35% and 40% of the phenotypic variation in WUE and flowering time, respectively. The adjacent localization suggests a possible role for the evolution of co-inheritance or, if the true QTL positions actually overlap, a possible role for pleiotropy underlying the phenotypic correlation between WUE and flowering time. Additionally, these results suggest epistasis is a significant factor affecting phenotypic variation in nature. In a reciprocal transplant and water addition experiment, I demonstrated variable natural selection on WUE, flowering time, and nectar production in I. aggregata across elevation/habitat and differential water availability. At low elevation in the water addition treatment, natural selection favors early flowering and greater nectar sugar concentration, while dry conditions favor high WUE and early flowering time. At high elevation, where the growing season is shorter and drier, selection favors early flowering regardless of water addition. These results suggest natural selection on ecophysiological and floral traits varies with resource availability (e.g. water availability and pollinator visitation). Using data from a glasshouse experiment involving a global panel of accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana, I demonstrated strong positive genetic correlation between WUE and flowering time, as well as selection for low WUE and early flowering under experimental season-ending drought. Finally, I found significant genetic variation in plasticity as well as selection favoring greater WUE plasticity under drought, indicating plasticity to drought is adaptive in A. thaliana. / text

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-07-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:29:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 yokoo_mji_me_jabo.pdf: 499776 bytes, checksum: 3d550dd485aed2d91aac747fee888b70 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar os fatores genéticos e ambientais que afetam as características de carcaça, área de olho de lombo (AOL), espessura de gordura subcutânea (EG), e espessura de gordura subcutânea na garupa (EGP8), quantificadas por meio do ultra-som em bovinos da raça Nelore. Além disso, verificar as possíveis associações genéticas entre as características de carcaça, e dessas com peso, circunferência escrotal, padronizados aos 120 (P120), 210 (P210), 365 (P365 e CE365), 450 (P450 e CE450) e 550 (P550 e CE550) dias de idade e altura do posterior (ALT). O banco de dados foi composto por cerca de 22.778 animais machos e fêmeas, dos quais, aproximadamente 2.590 continham medidas de características de carcaça e ALT coletadas entre os anos de 2002 e 2004, com idades entre 450 e 599 dias, provenientes de dez fazendas de seis estados brasileiros. Para o estudo dos efeitos de ambiente sobre as características de carcaça, foi utilizada a metodologia dos quadrados mínimos, empregando-se modelos fixos, considerando os efeitos de fazenda, ano (AN) e estação de nascimento, sexo, manejo alimentar, e as covariáveis idade da vaca ao parto (IVP - efeitos linear e quadrático) e idade do animal (efeitos linear e quadrático para a AOL e linear para a EG e EGP8). Os parâmetros genéticos foram estimados em análises uni, bi e tri-caracteres utilizando máxima verossimilhança restrita. Todos os fatores de ambiente afetaram significativamente as características de carcaça, com exceção do AN que não influenciou EG e EGP8 e da IVP que não afetou AOL, de forma significativa. As estimativas de herdabilidade para AOL, EG e EGP8 foram de 0,29 ± 0,07, 0,50 ± 0,09 e 0,39 ± 0,08, respectivamente. Esses resultados indicam que as características de carcaça possuem alta variabilidade genética, podendo ser incluídas em programas de melhoramento genético... / The objective of this work was to study the genetic and environmental factors that affect carcass traits, longissimus muscle area (ULMA) backfat thickness (UBF) and rump fat thickness (URF) quantified using real-time ultrasound in Nellore cattle. Besides verifying the possible genetic associations among those traits and of those with weight and scrotal circumference standardized to 102 (W120), 210 (W210), 365 (W365 and SC365), 450 (W450 and SC450), and 550 (W550 and SC550) days of age and hip height (HH) on scan date. The data set was composed close to 22,778 male and female animals, of which, approximately 2,590 contained measures of carcass traits and HH collected between 2002 and 2004, with ages between 450 and 599 days and distributed on ten farms across six Brazilian states. The Least Squares methods was used to study the effect of environment on carcass traits, using a fixed model, considering farm, year and season of birth (YB and SB), sex and type of feed, besides the covariates, age of dam (AOD - linear and quadratic effects) and age of animal at measurement (linear and quadratic effects for ULMA and linear for UBF and URF). The genetic parameters were estimated in one, two and three-traits analyses, using restricted maximum likelihood. All environmental factors significantly affected carcass traits, with the exception of YB for UBF and URF and AOD for ULMA. The heritability estimates for ULMA, UBF and URF were respectively 0.29 ± 0.07, 0.50 ± 0.09 and 0.39 ± 0.08. These estimates indicate that carcass traits have high genetic variability, might be include beef improvement programs and should respond on individual selection quickly. The genetic correlations suggest that genetic progress may be achieved without producing antagonistic effects on weight and scrotal circumference. The selection for HH would likely produce animals that are late-maturing, in terms of carcass fat deposition.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:12:58Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 leite_cds_me_jabo.pdf: 286709 bytes, checksum: 5dbd29633c088bfd8c09e91c549a77c3 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A seleção baseada em características reprodutivas tem sido muito empregada em programas de melhoramento genético de suíno. Assim, objetivaram-se avaliar os efeitos ambientais e genéticos que influenciam o intervalo desmame-cio (IDC) e verificar sua influência no número de nascidos total (TL), nascidos vivos (NV) e mortos (NM) em fêmeas suínas. Para análise dos efeitos ambientais, utilizaram-se 8.104 dados da 1ª a 6ª ordem de parição, e, para as estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos, apenas as informações do 1º ao 3º IDC, o que resultou em 6.548 observações, que foram analisadas pelo método REML, utilizando-se modelos uni e multicaracterística. Para este último, considerou-se cada IDC (1º, 2º e 3º) como uma característica distinta. Avaliaram-se, também, as correlações genéticas entre o IDC, TL, NM e idade ao primeiro parto (IPP). Para os fatores ambientais, o modelo incluiu como efeitos fixos rebanho, linhagem, ano (AP) e estação (EP) de parto, e as covariáveis idade da porca ao parto (IDPP), TL e duração da lactação (DL). A DL, na forma linear, e a IDPP, na forma quadrática, influenciaram o IDC. Rebanho, AP e EP foram fontes de variação significativas, enquanto TL e linhagem não o foram. Não foi observada influência do IDC sobre TL, NV, nem sobre NM. A herdabilidade estimada para o IDC pelo modelo de repetibilidade foi baixa. As correlações genéticas entre os IDC (1º, 2º e 3º) foram de moderada a baixa magnitude, evidenciando que o modelo multicaracterística é mais indicado para as estimativas de parâmetro genético nessa população. As correlações genéticas entre IDC, TL e NM, assim como IDC e IPP foram favoráveis à seleção. / Selection for reproductive traits has been largely used in swine breeding programs. The aims of this study were to evaluate environmental and genetic effects that affect the weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI) in sows and to assess their influence on litter size (LS), number of live born (LP) and dead born piglets (DP). Data consisting of 8,104 WEI from the 1st to 6th farrowing recorded in two herds were used for environmental analysis, but for estimating the genetic parameters only data from the 1st to 3rd farrowing were used, totalling 6,548 records. Genetic analysis was performed using the REML method with single and multitrait models, where each WEI was considered as a different trait. Genetic correlations among WEI, LS, DP and age at first farrowing (AFF) were also estimated using a multitrait model. For the environmental analysis, the model included as fixed effects the herd, line, and year (YF) and season (SF) of farrowing, and as covariates the sow’s age at farrowing (SAF), LS, and lactation length (LL). The effects were linear for LL and quadratic for SAF. The herd, YF and SF were important sources of variation, whereas LS and line were not significant. There were no effects of WEI on the litter traits (LS, LP and DP). The heritability estimated for WEI was low, and genetic correlations among its different intervals were of moderate to low magnitude, evidencing that a multitrait model was more indicated for estimating the genetic parameters for this trait in this population. The genetic correlations between WEI and LS, DP and AFF would be favourable in a selection.