Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was  generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons02:54

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
Evolution of Microbial Genome01:08

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Adaptive epigenetic divergence can facilitate ecological speciation.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2025
Same author

Linking DNA Methylation to Localised Genetic Differentiation in Timema cristinae Stick Insects.

Molecular ecology·2025
Same author

Ecology Not Genetic Covariance Explains Correlated Trait Divergence During Speciation.

Molecular ecology·2025
Same author

Adaptation repeatedly uses complex structural genomic variation.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

Sexual selection promotes reproductive isolation in barn swallows.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2024
Same author

Predicting and anticipating rapid evolution.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2024
Same journal

Demography and Environment Shapes Genetic Variation: Spatiotemporal Genetic Dynamics in Cyclic Voles at Low Latitudes.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same journal

Gut Microbiome-Metabolome Reconfiguration Associates With Phenotypic Plasticity of Daphnia Under Predation Risk.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same journal

Population Genomics Highlight the Vulnerability of Coral-Dwelling Gobies to Ecological Losses due to Climatic Disturbances.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same journal

Ancient Divergences of the Maritime Alpine Tree Larix lyallii (Pinaceae) Contrasts With Patterns in Other Pacific Northwest Coastal Disjuncts.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same journal

Ontogenetic Sequence of Differential Gene Expression in Predator-Induced Daphnia pulex.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same journal

Disentangling Environmental and Within-Host Drivers of Parasite Dynamics in Natural Populations.

Molecular ecology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations
08:03

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

Widespread yet heterogeneous genomic divergence.

Patrik Nosil1, Jeff L Feder

  • 1Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. patrik.nosil@colorado.edu

Molecular Ecology
|June 9, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Adaptive divergence with gene flow involves many genomic regions, not just a few. Recombination rates and selection influence differentiation patterns across the genome during speciation.

More Related Videos

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Genomic MRI - a Public Resource for Studying Sequence Patterns within Genomic DNA
12:36

Genomic MRI - a Public Resource for Studying Sequence Patterns within Genomic DNA

Published on: May 9, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations
08:03

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Genomic MRI - a Public Resource for Studying Sequence Patterns within Genomic DNA
12:36

Genomic MRI - a Public Resource for Studying Sequence Patterns within Genomic DNA

Published on: May 9, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Speciation

Background:

  • Genetic differentiation is uneven across genomes during adaptive divergence and speciation.
  • Regions with divergent selection or reproductive isolation resist gene flow, while others homogenize.
  • The number, causes, size, and distribution of differentiated regions under gene flow are debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genomic patterns of differentiation during adaptive divergence with gene flow.
  • To assess the extent and distribution of genetic differentiation across the genome in freshwater stickleback.
  • To understand the interplay of selection and recombination in shaping genomic divergence.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized next-generation sequencing to analyze genome-wide genetic differentiation.
  • Compared differentiation patterns across multiple population pairs of freshwater stickleback.
  • Examined the relationship between recombination rates and genetic differentiation.

Main Results:

  • Identified numerous strongly differentiated genomic regions, suggesting widespread involvement of loci in divergence with gene flow.
  • Observed accentuated differentiation in regions with reduced recombination, such as chromosome centers.
  • Found that differentiation patterns varied among population pairs, reflecting different speciation stages.
  • Demonstrated that selection and recombination rate variations contribute to heterogeneous genomic divergence.

Conclusions:

  • Divergence with gene flow can involve a larger number of loci than previously assumed.
  • Genomic divergence is widespread but highly heterogeneous, influenced by factors like recombination.
  • Understanding the combined effects of evolutionary processes is crucial for explaining genomic patterns of speciation.