Bulk Segregant Analysis of an Induced Floral Mutant Identifies aMIXTA-Like R2R3MYBControlling Nectar Guide Formation inMimulus lewisii

The genetic and developmental basis of many ecologically important floral traits (e.g., carotenoid pigmentation, corolla tube structure, nectar volume, pistil and stamen length) remains poorly understood. Here we analyze a chemically induced floral mutant of Mimulus lewisii through bulk segregant analysis and transgenic experiments and identify a MIXTA-like R2R3 MYB gene that controls nectar guide formation in M. lewisii flowers, which involves epidermal cell development and carotenoid pigmentation.