Data from: The extent and genetic basis of phenotypic divergence in life history traits in Mimulus guttatus

Differential natural selection acting on populations in contrasting environments often results in adaptive divergence in multivariate phenotypes. Multivariate trait divergence across populations could be caused by selection on pleiotropic alleles or through many independent loci with trait-specific effects. Here, we assess patterns of association between a suite of traits contributing to life history divergence in the common monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus, and examine the genetic architecture underlying these correlations. A common garden survey of 74 populations representing annual and perennial strategies from across the native range revealed strong correlations between vegetative and reproductive traits. To determine whether these multitrait patterns arise from pleiotropic or independent loci, we mapped QTLs using an approach combining high-throughput sequencing with bulk segregant analysis on a cross between populations with divergent life histories. We find extensive pleiotropy for QTLs related to flowering time and stolon production, a key feature of the perennial strategy. Candidate genes related to axillary meristem development co-localize with the QTLs in a manner consistent with either pleiotropic or independent QTL effects. Further, these results are analogous to previous work showing pleiotropy-mediated genetic correlations within a single population of M. guttatus experiencing heterogeneous selection. Our findings of strong multivariate trait associations and pleiotropic QTLs suggest that patterns of genetic variation may determine the trajectory of adaptive divergence.在迥异环境中作用于种群的差异化自然选择，往往会引发多变量表型（multivariate phenotypes）的适应性分化。种群间的多变量性状分化，可能由作用于多效等位基因（pleiotropic alleles）的选择，或是由多个具有性状特异性效应的独立基因座所导致。本研究以普通猴面花（*Mimulus guttatus*）为对象，对其生活史分化相关的一系列性状间的关联模式进行评估，并解析这些关联背后的遗传架构。我们对覆盖该物种原生分布区、涵盖一年生与多年生生活史对策的74个种群开展了同质园调查，结果发现营养性状与生殖性状间存在显著关联。为明确这些多性状模式源自多效基因座还是独立基因座，我们以生活史分化的两个种群杂交构建的群体为材料，结合高通量测序（high-throughput sequencing）与集群分离分析法（bulk segregant analysis, BSA）开展数量性状基因座（quantitative trait locus, QTL）定位。研究发现，与开花时间及匍匐茎产生（多年生生活史对策的关键特征）相关的QTL存在广泛的多效性。与腋芽分生组织发育（axillary meristem development）相关的候选基因与上述QTL共定位，其模式符合多效性QTL或独立QTL的效应特征。此外，本研究结果与此前一项研究的结论相似：该研究在经历异质选择的普通猴面花种群中发现了多效性介导的遗传关联。本研究揭示的显著多变量性状关联与多效性QTL，表明遗传变异模式或可决定适应性分化的演化轨迹。