Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Nat Rev Genet. 2010 Dec;11(12):867-79. doi: 10.1038/nrg2896.
A major challenge in evolutionary biology and plant breeding is to identify the genetic basis of complex quantitative traits, including those that contribute to adaptive variation. Here we review the development of new methods and resources to fine-map intraspecific genetic variation that underlies natural phenotypic variation in plants. In particular, the analysis of 107 quantitative traits reported in the first genome-wide association mapping study in Arabidopsis thaliana sets the stage for an exciting time in our understanding of plant adaptation. We also argue for the need to place phenotype-genotype association studies in an ecological context if one is to predict the evolutionary trajectories of plant species.
进化生物学和植物育种的主要挑战之一是确定复杂数量性状的遗传基础，包括那些有助于适应性变异的性状。在这里，我们回顾了新方法和资源的发展，以精细映射植物中自然表型变异所依赖的种内遗传变异。特别是，拟南芥全基因组关联图谱研究首次报道的 107 个数量性状的分析，为我们理解植物适应奠定了基础。我们还认为，如果要预测植物物种的进化轨迹，就需要将表型-基因型关联研究置于生态背景下。
