Genotype accounts for intraspecific variation in the timing and duration of multiple, sequential life-cycle events in a willow species.

This research demonstrates that genetic variation can be a major component underlying intraspecific variation in the timing and duration of life-cycle events. It is often assumed that the environment affects durations, but we show that genetic factors also play a role. Because the timing and duration of events are independent of one another, our results suggest that the effects of environmental change on one event will not necessarily cascade to subsequent events. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.