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Detecting selection in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, using DNA sequence data from multiple nuclear
Bree K Yednock1, Joseph E Neigel1
1Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States of America.
Plos One
|June 5, 2014
Summary
This study used a candidate gene approach to identify adaptive evolution in blue crabs. Researchers found evidence of positive selection in the trehalose 6-phosphate synthase (tps) gene, suggesting adaptation to environmental stress.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Identifying adaptive genes in non-model organisms with limited genomic data is challenging.
- The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a marine invertebrate lacking extensive genomic resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adaptive evolution in the blue crab using a targeted candidate gene approach.
- To test for positive selection on genes potentially involved in environmental stress adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Employed a candidate gene approach, selecting four genes for physiological adaptation and one control.
- Analyzed large DNA sequence samples (>800) from Callinectes sapidus for polymorphisms and interspecific divergence with C. similis.
- Utilized neutrality tests, including coalescent simulations, maximum likelihood, and McDonald-Kreitman tests.
Main Results:
- Detected significant evidence of positive selection in trehalose 6-phosphate synthase (tps), not explained by demographic events.
- Found evidence for balancing selection in ATP-synthase subunit 9 (atps).
- Identified positive selection for amino acid replacements in ATP/ADP translocase (ant).
- The control gene (ribosomal protein L12, rpl) showed neutral evolution, supporting the candidate gene approach.
Conclusions:
- The candidate gene approach is effective for studying molecular adaptation in marine invertebrates lacking extensive genomic data.
- Specific genes like tps, atps, and ant show signatures of selection, indicating adaptation to environmental factors in blue crabs.
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