David Lowry (Michigan State University)

Overview

Understanding how organisms evolve adaptations to diverse environments is crucial to biological research. Despite their importance, our understanding of the molecular, physiological, and developmental mechanisms that drive these adaptations remains limited. In this talk, I will present significant advancements made by my research group in elucidating these mechanisms in the yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus). Through this research, we have uncovered the mechanisms underlying plant adaptations to coastal versus inland habitats in California, including to seasonal drought, oceanic salt spray, and herbivory.  We are currently focused on understanding how chromosomal inversion polymorphisms facilitate the adaptive transition from a perennial to an annual life-history strategy in this system. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying local adaptation and the intricate relationship between environmental factors and evolutionary processes.