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Hybridization is a recurrent evolutionary stimulus in wild yeast speciation.
Chris Eberlein1,2,3,4, Mathieu Hénault5,6,7,8, Anna Fijarczyk5,9,6,7
1PROTEO, The Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. Chris.Eberlein.1@ulaval.ca.
Nature Communications
|February 27, 2019
Summary
Hybridization can lead to new species. This study found evidence of repeated hybrid speciation in wild yeast, showing how hybridization rapidly generates diversity and reproductive isolation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hybridization can lead to the formation of new, reproductively isolated lineages.
- The frequency and mechanisms of hybrid speciation remain poorly understood in natural populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the recurrence of hybrid speciation in North American Saccharomyces paradoxus.
- To identify and characterize new hybrid lineages and their potential for speciation.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of over 300 Saccharomyces paradoxus strains.
- Analysis of phenotypic novelties and reproductive isolation in hybrid lineages.
Main Results:
- Discovery of a new hybrid lineage, SpD, originating from SpC* and SpB.
- SpD exhibits an intermediate transcriptome and partial reproductive isolation from SpB.
- Evidence suggests SpD has the potential to evolve as a novel hybrid species.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid speciation is a recurring process in Saccharomyces paradoxus.
- Repetitive cycles of divergence and hybridization rapidly generate evolutionary diversity and reproductive isolation.
- Hybridization serves as a significant source of raw material for speciation.
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