Evolutionary quantitative genetics in forest ecosystems

Contact Antoine Kremer

Purpose of the course

Evolution of genetic differentiation and diversity under divergent selection, theoretical predictions under simplified scenarios, predictions in more realistic situations using simulations, joint evolution of molecular and phenotypic differentiation, estimation of genetic parameters in natural populations, experimental results in case studies, simulations using ad hoc modelling platforms.

Program

* Monday, November 14th: Arrival of participants

* Tuesday, November 15th:

Morning session: Evolutionary change in natural populations of trees (Antoine Kremer)

• Response to natural selection in single populations
• Response to divergent selection in structured populations
• Comparison of adaptive divergence at traits and QTLs

Afternoon session: Estimation of genetic variation and differentiation in natural populations (Fikret Isik, Ross Whetten, Laurent Bouffier)

• Description of statistical methods
• Estimation of genetic parameters in structured populations using ASREML

* Wednesday, November 16th:

Morning + afternoon session: Monitoring of evolutionary changes in natural populations by simulations (Pauline Garnier Géré, Frédéric Raspail)

• Description and use of the METAPOP simulation engine
• Testing of different evolutionary scenario
• Analysis of results

* Thursday, November 17th:

Morning session: Estimation of genetic variation and differentiation in natural populations (continued) (Fikret Isik, Ross Whetten, Laurent Bouffier)

Afternoon session: Experimental results Clinal adaptive divergence along geographic gradients in oaks (Sylvain Delzon)

• Canalization and lack of adaptive divergence in Pines (Jean Baptiste Lamy)
• Clinal variation generated by assortative mating and gene flow (Jean Paul Soularue)

Wrap up discussion

* Friday, November 18th:

Morning + afternoon session: Bonus session on Genomic selection (Fikret Isik, Ross Whetten)