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Elevational divergence in the great tit complex revealed by major hemoglobin genes
Xiaojia ZHu1,2, Yuyan Guan1,2, Yanhua Qu2
1Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Current Zoology
|August 16, 2018
Summary
High-altitude great tits show distinct genetic structures in hemoglobin genes, suggesting adaptive evolution. Gene flow patterns reveal highland populations adapting differently from lowland ones.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Ornithology
Background:
- Adaptive genetic differentiation in high-altitude birds is poorly understood.
- Gene flow and demographic history influence species' adaptive evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genetic divergence and gene flow in great tit complex populations across different elevations.
- To compare genetic structures of hemoglobin genes with neutral loci.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of genetic structure and gene flow.
- Examination of hemoglobin genes (alpha and beta globin) and neutral loci.
- Population sampling across central-northern, south-eastern, and Southwest Mountains regions in China.
Main Results:
- Elevationally divergent genetic structure observed in the alpha-globin gene, distinct from beta-globin and neutral loci.
- Higher alpha-globin gene flow in high-altitude populations compared to restricted neutral gene flow.
- Allelic fixation patterns in high-altitude populations linked to specific standing variants.
Conclusions:
- Hemoglobin gene evolution, particularly alpha-globin, shows signs of adaptive divergence in high-altitude populations.
- Gene flow patterns are influenced by both adaptive selection and demographic history.
- High-altitude adaptation in great tits involves specific genetic variants and differential gene flow.
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