The Joint Genome Institute (JGI/DOE) completed 7X coverage of the Mimulus genome in Spring 2007. An assembly of the 7x genome was completed in Summer 2008. Members of the Mimulus Community are currently annotating the Genome. Annotation of the Mimulus Genome can be accessed though the private intranet at Mimulus Evolution. This is currently a private site, but will be open to the public soon.
The Genus
The genus Mimulus (historically "Scrophulariaceae," order Lamiales) has been a model plant system for ecological and evolutionary genetics for over 50 years (Vickery, 1951).
Check out the poster of the phylogeny of the Mimulus genus.
The Mimulus guttatus species complex (yellow monkey flowers) is a group of closely related species exhibiting the common evolutionary transition from outcrossing to self-pollination. Mimulus presents an excellent model system for studies of evolution because of its broad diversity of floral morphologies, incomplete reproductive barriers, and its amenability to experimental manipulation.
Mimulus lewisii Complex
Mimulus section Erythranthe is a western North American group of perennial wildflowers with a wide diversity of floral forms. Included within this section are the bee-pollinated M. lewisii and the hummingbird-pollinated M. cardinalis. This system has a long history of study (1), and continues to be the subject of active research in systematics (2) and the genetics and ecology of speciation (3-5). Another close relative of M. lewisii is the lesser-studied M. parishii, which is a small-flowered, highly selfing species of the desert Southwest. The diversity of pollination syndrome, mating system, and habitat preference found within this section makes it a uniquely amenable model system for studies in ecology, genetics, and evolutionary biology of natural populations.
People
Mimulus lewisii and Mimulus cardinalis with hybrids
Below is an excel spreadsheet that lists the seed collections of Mimulus that are currently located at Duke University. The seed collections are primarily composed of seeds from within the Mimulus guttatus complex. Most of these seeds can be made available for upon request. Please allow a few weeks for orders to be fulfilled. Contact David Lowry at david.lowry@duke.edu for seed requests or information about collection locations.
Check out the Mimulus Discussion Page to see what people in the community are saying and to leave your own messages. Make sure to leave you name and date of entry for all additions.
