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Published on: March 13, 2011
Genome mapping in intensively studied wild vertebrate populations
Jon Slate1, Anna W Santure, Philine G D Feulner
1Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK. j.slate@shef.ac.uk
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|May 7, 2010
Summary
Quantitative genetics reveals why some heritable traits in wild vertebrates don't evolve. New genomics technologies enable gene identification for phenotypic variation in natural populations.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary genetics
- Quantitative genetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Long-term studies of vertebrate populations have advanced quantitative genetics.
- Understanding heritability and selection on fitness traits has improved, yet some traits show no evolution.
- Identifying genes responsible for phenotypic variation in natural populations is a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in identifying genes underlying phenotypic variation in natural populations.
- To define evolutionary genetic questions made tractable by new genomics technologies.
Main Methods:
- Leveraging advances in next-generation sequencing.
- Utilizing high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping platforms.
- Integrating phenotypic data with DNA samples from wild populations.
Main Results:
- Genomics technologies are facilitating widespread mapping studies in wild populations.
- New tools allow for the investigation of genetic underpinnings of trait variation.
- Progress has been made in understanding the genetic basis of non-evolving traits.
Conclusions:
- Next-generation sequencing and SNP genotyping are revolutionizing evolutionary genetics research.
- These technologies enable the study of genetic variation in natural populations at an unprecedented scale.
- Future research can now address complex evolutionary questions with greater precision.
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