Inheritance of somatic mutations can affect fitness in monkeyflowers

Plants have the ability to transmit mutations to progeny that arise through both meiotic and mitotic (somatic) cell divisions. This is because the same meristem cells responsible for vegetative growth will also generate gametes for sexual reproduction. Despite the potential for somatic mutations to contribute to genetic variation and adaptation, their role in plant evolution remains largely unexplored. We conducted experiments with the bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) to assess the phenotypic effects of somatic mutations inherited across generations. By generating self-pollinations within a flower (autogamy) or between flowers on different stems of the same plant (geitonogamy), we tracked the effects of somatic mutations transmitted to progeny. Autogamy and geitonogamy lead to different segregation patterns of somatic mutations among stems, with only autogamy resulting in offspring that are homozygous for somatic mutations specific to that stem. This allowed us to compare average..., , , # Inheritance of somatic mutations can affect fitness in monkeyflowers

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.bnzs7h4nf](10.5061/dryad.bnzs7h4nf)

## Description of the data and file structure

Plants can transmit mutations to their offspring through both meiotic and mitotic divisions, as meristem cells responsible for growth also produce gametes. Despite their potential role in plant evolution, the impact of somatic mutations remains understudied. We conducted experiments with Mimulus aurantiacus to assess the phenotypic effects of somatic mutations passed across generations. By comparing self-pollination (autogamy) and pollination between flowers on different stems (geitonogamy), we tracked somatic mutations inherited by progeny. Only autogamy led to homozygous offspring for specific mutations. While most cases showed no fitness impacts, some exhibited increased seed production and drought tolerance, indicating that inherited somatic mutations may influence plant evolution.

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