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Explaining large mitochondrial sequence differences within a population sample.

Mary Morgan-Richards1, Mariana Bulgarella1, Louisa Sivyer1

  • 1Ecology, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

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|January 2, 2018
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can show large genetic differences within a single species due to large population size and time, not necessarily speciation. This study clarifies how genetic drift and mutation create diversity in tree wētā populations.

Keywords:
DNA barcodingHemideinaconstraining selectiongenetic driftmtDNA divergencepopulation size

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Population Genetics
  • Molecular Systematics

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is commonly used for species boundary inference due to rapid divergence.
  • However, non-recombining mtDNA can exhibit clusters mistaken for multiple species, influenced by factors like mutation and drift.
  • Four processes can explain high mtDNA sequence differences within a single sample.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes of high mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence within a single species.
  • To distinguish between competing hypotheses explaining significant genetic variation in mitochondrial genomes.
  • To examine tree wētā (Hemideina crassidens) as a case study for understanding mtDNA diversity.

Main Methods:

  • Sequencing of a protein-coding region (cytb/ND1) in tree wētā mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
  • Whole mitochondrial genome sequencing of two representative individuals.
  • Analysis of nuclear loci, heterozygosity, and morphological traits.

Main Results:

  • Multiple mtDNA haplotypes were found in tree wētā, with up to 7.9% divergence in the cytb/ND1 region.
  • Whole genome sequencing revealed evidence of constraining selection.
  • Nuclear markers and morphological traits did not support the mtDNA groupings, and nuclear loci showed expected heterozygosity.

Conclusions:

  • Large mtDNA sequence differences in the studied tree wētā sample are attributed to a large population size and extended time.
  • This allows for an equilibrium between mutation and genetic drift, maintaining significant genetic diversity within a single species.
  • It highlights the importance of considering population history and evolutionary processes when interpreting mtDNA data for species delimitation.