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Detecting adaptive evolution based on association with ecological gradients: orientation matters!

E Frichot1, S D Schoville2, P de Villemereuil3

  • 1Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG UMR 5525, Grenoble, France.

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Detecting local adaptation is challenging due to confounding geographic variation. Our study shows ecological gradients aligned with range expansion axes reduce false positives in adaptation genomics.

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Area of Science:

  • Population Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Identifying local adaptation relies on correlating allele frequencies with ecological variables.
  • Geographic variation at neutral loci can confound these ecological associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how the orientation of ecological gradients impacts the detection of local adaptation during spatial expansion.
  • To assess the influence of range expansion dynamics on genomic association methods.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized range expansion simulations to model population genetic scenarios.
  • Tested three ecological association methods under varying gradient orientations.
  • Analyzed the impact of gradient alignment relative to the expansion axis on false-positive rates.

Main Results:

  • Counter-intuitively, fewer false-positive associations were detected when ecological gradients aligned with the main axis of expansion.
  • The orientation of ecological gradients significantly affects the reliability of adaptation detection methods.
  • This effect was consistent across the three tested ecological association methods.

Conclusions:

  • The alignment of ecological gradients with range expansion axes can improve the accuracy of detecting local adaptation.
  • Findings have significant implications for analyzing genomic data in non-equilibrium populations, especially during climate change-induced range shifts.
  • Future studies should consider spatial expansion dynamics and gradient orientation in adaptation genomics.