Molecular Genetics and Population Genomics of the Maintenance and Breakdown of the Floral Polymorphism Tristyly

Tristyly has evolved independently in several flowering plant families and functions to promote outcrossing by disassortative mating. The floral polymorphism is susceptible to evolutionary breakdown resulting in frequent transitions from outcrossing to predominant self-fertilization. By integrating experimental studies with analyses of genomic data and population genetic computer simulations, my Ph.D. thesis investigates the genetic and population genomic basis for the maintenance of this genetic polymorphism, and its breakdown to selfing in the annual aquaticPh.D