Project number: LUAUS23118
Project title: Diversification and stabilization of allotetraploid species with identical genomic composition
Provider: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
Programme: INTER-EXCELLENCE sub-programme INTER-ACTION Project coordinator: CZU
Project partners: Brigham Young University (BYU), University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), Institute of Botany CAS, v.v.i.
Researcher: Mgr. Karol Krak, Ph.D.
Contact person: Michaela Kopřivová Stejskalová
Project schedule: 2023-2026
Budget: 12 303 400 CZK
Budget for CZU: 8 326 360 CZK
Abstract:
The project is aimed at elucidating the evolutionary history and adaptive variation associated with diversification and stabilization of allotetraploid Chenopodium album species. We plan to use this model group to study mechanisms related to the origin and stability of allotetraploid taxa with identical genomic composition: (1) We will reconstruct the mode of origin of allotetraploids based on phylogenomic, population genomic and structural genomic analyses performed for each subgenome separately. (2) We will investigate how two coexisting subgenomes contribute to the diversification and stabilization of these taxa. Specifically, we will be interested in whether point mutations showing evidence of adaptive evolution are localized to both subgenomes and occur with higher frequency on one of them. (3) In addition, we will look for the presence of large-scale structural chromosomal rearrangements as an important speciation mechanism in individual taxa.