Predicting the genetic loci of past evolution

Abstract

Repetitions in the mutations found to be responsible for independent evolution of similar phenotypes in various taxa have led some biologists to propose that for certain evolutionary changes the causal mutations are predictable. We examine here the nature of the predictions that have been made and their associated arguments. Predictions about the loci of past evolution are retrodictions, i.e. inferences about events that occurred in the past. They are not based on elaborate models and they derive mainly from the observation of repeated cases of genetic evolution. Predictions at the nucleotide level or at the gene level have a higher inference gain than those for broader categories of genetic changes such as cis-regulatory mutations.

Emperors, admirals and giants, zebras, tigers and woolly bears: casting a broader net in exploring heparin effects on Lepidoptera wing patterns

“…Marginal eyespots in many Nymphalidae are concentrically organized and serve as models for studies of development, as for example, in Bicyclus anynana, where they have been shown to be positively regulated by Wingless (Wnt) (Özsu et al, 2017). Wnt signaling delimits the boundaries of wing spots, as reviewed by Martin & Courtier-Orgogozo (2017), and is affected by heparin. Figure 8(Aiii-Diii) suggests that, even though the serial border spots of the tawny emperor are not as concentrically organized as in many other nymphalids, they are nevertheless homologous.…”