| 1. |
- Chazot, Nicolas, et al.
(författare)
-
Into the Andes : multiple independent colonizations drive montane diversity in the Neotropical clearwing butterflies Godyridina
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 25:22, s. 5765-5784
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding why species richness peaks along the Andes is a fundamental question in the study of Neotropical biodiversity. Several biogeographic and diversification scenarios have been proposed in the literature, but there is confusion about the processes underlying each scenario, and assessing their relative contribution is not straightforward. Here, we propose to refine these scenarios into a framework which evaluates four evolutionary mechanisms: higher speciation rate in the Andes, lower extinction rates in the Andes, older colonization times and higher colonization rates of the Andes from adjacent areas. We apply this framework to a species-rich subtribe of Neotropical butterflies whose diversity peaks in the Andes, the Godyridina (Nymphalidae: Ithomiini). We generated a time-calibrated phylogeny of the Godyridina and fitted time-dependent diversification models. Using trait-dependent diversification models and ancestral state reconstruction methods we then compared different biogeographic scenarios. We found strong evidence that the rates of colonization into the Andes were higher than the other way round. Those colonizations and the subsequent local diversification at equal rates in the Andes and in non-Andean regions mechanically increased the species richness of Andean regions compared to that of non-Andean regions (‘species-attractor’ hypothesis). We also found support for increasing speciation rates associated with Andean lineages. Our work highlights the importance of the Andean slopes in repeatedly attracting non-Andean lineages, most likely as a result of the diversity of habitats and/or host plants. Applying this analytical framework to other clades will bring important insights into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the most species-rich biodiversity hotspot on the planet.
|
|
| 2. |
- Lisa De-Silva, Donna, et al.
(författare)
-
North Andean origin and diversification of the largest ithomiine butterfly genus
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Neotropics harbour the most diverse flora and fauna on Earth. The Andes are a major centre of diversification and source of diversity for adjacent areas in plants and vertebrates, but studies on insects remain scarce, even though they constitute the largest fraction of terrestrial biodiversity. Here, we combine molecular and morphological characters to generate a dated phylogeny of the butterfly genus Pteronymia (Nymphalidae: Danainae), which we use to infer spatial, elevational and temporal diversification patterns. We first propose six taxonomic changes that raise the generic species total to 53, making Pteronymia the most diverse genus of the tribe Ithomiini. Our biogeographic reconstruction shows that Pteronymia originated in the Northern Andes, where it diversified extensively. Some lineages colonized lowlands and adjacent montane areas, but diversification in those areas remained scarce. The recent colonization of lowland areas was reflected by an increase in the rate of evolution of species' elevational ranges towards present. By contrast, speciation rate decelerated with time, with no extinction. The geological history of the Andes and adjacent regions have likely contributed to Pteronymia diversification by providing compartmentalized habitats and an array of biotic and abiotic conditions, and by limiting dispersal between some areas while promoting interchange across others.
|
|
| 3. |
- Lucek, Kay, et al.
(författare)
-
The Impact of Chromosomal Rearrangements in Speciation: From Micro- to Macroevolution : A Macroevolutionary View on Chromosomal Speciation
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. - 1943-0264. ; 15:11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chromosomal rearrangements (CRs) have been known since almost the beginning of genetics. While an important role for CRs in speciation has been suggested, evidence primarily stems from theoretical and empirical studies focusing on the microevolutionary level (i.e., on taxon pairs where speciation is often incomplete). Although the role of CRs in eukaryotic speciation at a macroevolutionary level has been supported by associations between species diversity and rates of evolution of CRs across phylogenies, these findings are limited to a restricted range of CRs and taxa. Now that more broadly applicable and precise CR detection approaches have become available, we address the challenges in filling some of the conceptual and empirical gaps between micro- and macroevolutionary studies on the role of CRs in speciation. We synthesize what is known about the macroevolutionary impact of CRs and suggest new research avenues to overcome the pitfalls of previous studies to gain a more comprehensive understand- ing of the evolutionary significance of CRs in speciation across the tree of life.
|
|
| 4. |
- Neethiraj, Ramprasad, 1989-
(författare)
-
Advances in studying the role of genetic divergence and recombination in adaptation in non-model species
- 2019
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Understanding the role of genetic divergence and recombination in adaptation is crucial to understanding the evolutionary potential of species since they can directly affect the levels of genetic variation present within populations or species. Genetic variation in the functional parts of the genome such as exons or regulatory regions is the raw material for evolution, because natural selection can only operate on phenotypic variation already present in the population. When natural selection acts on a phenotype, it usually results in reduction in the levels of genetic variation at the causal loci, and the surrounding linked loci, due to recombination dynamics (i.e. linkage); the degree to which natural selection influences the genetic differentiation in the linked regions depends on the local recombination rates.Studies investigating the role of genetic divergence and recombination are common in model species such as Drosophila melanogaster. Only recently have genomic tools allowed us to start investigating their role in shaping genetic variation in non-model species. This thesis adds to the growing research in that domain. In this thesis, I have asked a diverse set of questions to understand the role of genetic divergence and recombination in adaptation in non-model species, with a focus on Lepidoptera.First, how do we identify causal genetic variation causing adaptive phenotypes? This question is fundamental to evolutionary biology and addressing it requires a well-assembled genome, the generation of which is a cost, labor, and time intensive task. In paper I, I present a tool, MESPA, that stitches together exonic sequences in fragmented assemblies to produce high-quality gene models. These high-quality gene models can be used by researchers in the downstream analyses, providing genomic insights for a fraction of cost of a high quality genome. Second, what does the pattern of recombination rate look like in chromosomes that lack centromeres (i.e.holocentric chromosomes)? In paper II, I compare the recombination landscape and the patterns of nucleotide diversity in three Lepidotera with holocentric chromosomes, Pieris napi, Bombyx mandarina, and Bombyx mori, with a monocentric species. Our results show that on average these three Lepidoptera have high rates of recombination across the vast majority of their genome. Our results also suggest that given similar effective population sizes, these species are likely to harbor more genetic diversity compared to monocentric species, which has important evolutionary consequences for these species.Third, what is the potential for parallelism at the genetic level in convergent melanic phenotypes? In paper III, I investigated the genetic basis of the female-limited melanic phenotype in the green-veined white (Pieris napi) butterfly, and found a 20kb region, approximately 50kb from the gene cortex, associated with this trait. This gene has been implicated in melanic phenotypes in other Lepidoptera that diverged from Pieris approximately 100my, indicating very high predictability for this trait.Finally, what is the role of cis-regulatory variation in local adaptation? In paper IV, I analyzed the relationship between allele specific expression (ASE) and genetic divergence (FST) in the F1 hybrids of Pieris napi napi and Pieris napi adalwinda. I show that intersecting results from ASE with FST is a powerful approach to identify genes involved in local adaptation.
|
|
| 5. |
- Rosser, Neil, et al.
(författare)
-
Hybrid speciation driven by multilocus introgression of ecological traits
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Nature. - 0028-0836. ; 628, s. 811-817
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hybridization allows adaptations to be shared among lineages and may trigger the evolution of new species1,2. However, convincing examples of homoploid hybrid speciation remain rare because it is challenging to demonstrate that hybridization was crucial in generating reproductive isolation3. Here we combine population genomic analysis with quantitative trait locus mapping of species-specific traits to examine a case of hybrid speciation in Heliconius butterflies. We show that Heliconius elevatus is a hybrid species that is sympatric with both parents and has persisted as an independently evolving lineage for at least 180,000 years. This is despite pervasive and ongoing gene flow with one parent, Heliconius pardalinus, which homogenizes 99% of their genomes. The remaining 1% introgressed from the other parent, Heliconius melpomene, and is scattered widely across the H. elevatus genome in islands of divergence from H. pardalinus. These islands contain multiple traits that are under disruptive selection, including colour pattern, wing shape, host plant preference, sex pheromones and mate choice. Collectively, these traits place H. elevatus on its own adaptive peak and permit coexistence with both parents. Our results show that speciation was driven by introgression of ecological traits, and that speciation with gene flow is possible with a multilocus genetic architecture.
|
|
