The genetic basis of evolution, adaptation and speciation

McNiven, Vanda T. K.; LeVasseur-Viens, Hélène; Kanippayoor, Rachelle L.; Laturney, Meghan; Moehring, Amanda J.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05348.x

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Epigenetics should be incorporated into evolutionary theory, because the molecular underpinnings of phenotypic variation are the subject of many evolutionary research programs (McNiven et al 2011). We simply need to expand our thinking to include epigenetic mechanisms, which are another class of molecular mechanisms.…”

Section: Impacts Of Epigenetics Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative epigenetics and evolution

Banta

Richards

2018

Heredity

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Epigenetics refers to chemical modifications of chromatin or transcribed DNA that can influence gene activity and expression without changes in DNA sequence. The last 20 years have yielded breakthroughs in our understanding of epigenetic processes that impact many fields of biology. In this review, we discuss how epigenetics relates to quantitative genetics and evolution. We argue that epigenetics is important for quantitative genetics because: (1) quantitative genetics is increasingly being combined with genomics, and therefore we should expand our thinking to include cellular-level mechanisms that can account for phenotypic variance and heritability besides just those that are hard-coded in the DNA sequence; and (2) epigenetic mechanisms change how phenotypic variance is partitioned, and can thereby change the heritability of traits and how those traits are inherited. To explicate these points, we show that epigenetics can influence all aspects of the phenotypic variance formula: V (total phenotypic variance) = V (genetic variance) + V (environmental variance) + V (genotype-by-environment interaction) + 2COV (the genotype-environment covariance) + V (residual variance), requiring new strategies to account for different potential sources of epigenetic effects on phenotypic variance. We also demonstrate how each of the components of phenotypic variance not only can be influenced by epigenetics, but can also have evolutionary consequences. We argue that no sources of epigenetic effects on phenotypic variance can be easily cast aside in a quantitative genetic research program that seeks to understand evolutionary processes.

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Section: Impacts Of Epigenetics Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative epigenetics and evolution

Banta

Richards

2018

Heredity

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BackgroundEighty years since Dobzhansky and Mayr unified Darwinian evolution and Mendelian genetics in the Modern Synthesis [1, 2], we still seek full understanding of speciation's genetic basis [3][4][5][6][7]. In its simplest conception, speciation may be viewed as an inevitable

…”

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confidence: 99%

Rapid divergence of a gamete recognition gene promoted macroevolution of Eutheria

et al. 2022

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Background Speciation genes contribute disproportionately to species divergence, but few examples exist, especially in vertebrates. Here we test whether Zan, which encodes the sperm acrosomal protein zonadhesin that mediates species-specific adhesion to the egg’s zona pellucida, is a speciation gene in placental mammals. Results Genomic ontogeny reveals that Zan arose by repurposing of a stem vertebrate gene that was lost in multiple lineages but retained in Eutheria on acquiring a function in egg recognition. A 112-species Zan sequence phylogeny, representing 17 of 19 placental Orders, resolves all species into monophyletic groups corresponding to recognized Orders and Suborders, with <5% unsupported nodes. Three other rapidly evolving germ cell genes (Adam2, Zp2, and Prm1), a paralogous somatic cell gene (TectA), and a mitochondrial gene commonly used for phylogenetic analyses (Cytb) all yield trees with poorer resolution than the Zan tree and inferior topologies relative to a widely accepted mammalian supertree. Zan divergence by intense positive selection produces dramatic species differences in the protein’s properties, with ordinal divergence rates generally reflecting species richness of placental Orders consistent with expectations for a speciation gene that acts across a wide range of taxa. Furthermore, Zan’s combined phylogenetic utility and divergence exceeds those of all other genes known to have evolved in Eutheria by positive selection, including the only other mammalian speciation gene, Prdm9. Conclusions Species-specific egg recognition conferred by Zan’s functional divergence served as a mode of prezygotic reproductive isolation that promoted the extraordinary adaptive radiation and success of Eutheria.

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“…Analysing adaptive instead of neutral genetic variation adds challenges as the genetic mechanisms of adaptation are complex and still poorly known for most organisms (McNiven et al. 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

Adaptive landscape genetics: pitfalls and benefits

Parisod

Holderegger

2012

Molecular Ecology

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Landscape genetics offers a promising framework for assessing the interactions between the environment and adaptive genetic variation in natural populations. A recent workshop held at the University of Neuchatel brought together leading experts in this field to address current insights and future research directions in adaptive landscape genetics. Considerable amounts of genetic and ⁄ or environmental data can now be collected, but the forthcoming challenge is to do more with such manna. This requires a markedly better understanding of the genetic variation that is adaptive and prompts for advances in information management together with the development of a balance between theory and data. Moreover, showing the links between landscapes and adaptive genetic variation will ultimately move the field beyond association studies.

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The genetic basis of evolution, adaptation and speciation

Cited by 5 publications

References 16 publications

Quantitative epigenetics and evolution

Quantitative epigenetics and evolution

Rapid divergence of a gamete recognition gene promoted macroevolution of Eutheria

Adaptive landscape genetics: pitfalls and benefits

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