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PEAK SHIFTS PRODUCED BY CORRELATED RESPONSE TO SELECTION
Trevor Price1, Michael Turelli2, Montgomery Slatkin3
1Department of Biology 0116, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
Summary
Correlated responses to selection can drive evolutionary peak shifts. This occurs when selection on one trait drags another trait to a new optimum, especially with weak stabilizing selection.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Quantitative genetics
Background:
- Traits evolve via direct selection and correlated responses.
- Correlated responses are key to evolutionary novelty and complex traits.
- The role of correlated response in evolutionary peak shifts is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate conditions for peak shifts driven by correlated response.
- Model how selection on one trait (X) can shift the optimum of another trait (Y).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a quantitative genetic model.
- Analyzed the influence of genetic correlations and selection strengths.
Main Results:
- High genetic correlation facilitates peak shifts.
- Weak stabilizing selection on trait Y eases the transition.
- Peak shifts depend on the new optimum of X when selection on Y is very weak.
Conclusions:
- Correlated response is a significant factor in evolutionary peak shifts.
- Shallow adaptive valleys for Y require less fitness reduction for a shift.
- Strong selection on X is needed for shifts when Y has strong stabilizing selection, but shifts can still be evolutionarily important over geological time.
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