Anthocyanin polymorphisms in Mimulus guttatus

Abstract

Three anthocyanin polymorphisms in Mimulus guttatus DC. have been described and analysed genetically. These involved leaf blotches, calyx dots, and general deposition of anthocyanin. In the case of leaf blotches two plants with sharply contrasting leaf blotches were analysed and it was shown that the blotch phenotype in each is due to the same gene, probably the dominant gene identified in a previous study, here called L. (The difference between the plants must be ascribed to other complex genetic modifiers.) The presence or absence of calyx dots was shown to be due to a pair of alleles, C (presence) and c (absence). The presence or absence of general anthocyanin deposition in the stems petioles and calyces is controlled by the alleles A (presence) and a (absence). Whereas the expression of L is less in warm conditions, the expression of A is enhanced by exposure to the sun.