Genomic pattern of adaptive divergence in Arabidopsis  halleri, a model species for tolerance to heavy metal.
Pollution by heavy metals is one of the strongest environmental constraints in human-altered environments that only a handful of species can cope with. Identifying the genes conferring to those species the ability to grow in polluted areas is a first step towards a global understanding of the evolutionary processes involved and will eventually improve phytoremediation practices. We used a genome-scan approach to detect loci under divergent selection among four populations of Arabidopsis halleri growing on either polluted or nonpolluted habitats. Based on a high density of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers (820 AFLP markers, i.e. approximately 1 marker per 0.3Mb), evidence for selection was found for some markers in every sampled population. Four loci departed from neutrality in both metallicolous populations and thus constitute high-quality candidates for general adaptation to pollution. Interestingly, some candidates differed between the two metallicolous populations, suggesting the possibility that different loci may be involved in adaptation in the different metallicolous populations.
Laboratoire de Génétique et Evolution des Populations Végétales, UMR CNRS 8016, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Bâtiment SN2, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
Claire-Lise
CL
Meyer
Renaud
R
Vitalis
Pierre
P
Saumitou-Laprade
Vincent
V
Castric
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D018745:Genome, Plant; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity
D018744:DNA, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants