Genomic consequences of selection on self-incompatibility genes

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Plant genetics
• Population genetics

Background:

• Plant self-incompatibility (SI) systems are crucial for preventing self-fertilization.
• Theoretical models predict frequency-dependent selection at SI loci.
• These systems are known to influence genomic diversity and species interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review empirical evidence supporting theoretical predictions of SI.
• To explore how SI features can be used to detect other genes under balancing selection.
• To investigate the use of SI in inferring breakdowns in self-incompatibility.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent empirical studies on plant self-incompatibility.
• Comparison of empirical findings with theoretical predictions.
• Analysis of genomic diversity patterns associated with SI loci.

Main Results:

• Empirical studies confirm that SI loci create strong peaks of genomic diversity.
• SI leads to unique diversity distributions across species.
• Evidence suggests increased introgression between closely related species due to SI.

Conclusions:

• Frequency-dependent selection at SI systems has predictable, observable effects on genomic diversity.
• SI features are valuable for identifying genes under multi-allelic balancing selection.
• SI provides a framework for studying the recent breakdown of self-incompatibility mechanisms.