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Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
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Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
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Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
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Cryptic genetic variation accelerates evolution by opening access to diverse adaptive peaks.

Jia Zheng1,2, Joshua L Payne2,3, Andreas Wagner4,2,5

  • 1Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 27, 2019
PubMed
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Cryptic genetic variation allows populations to explore diverse adaptive paths, leading to higher fitness and varied outcomes. This variation enables evolution by accumulating mutations that unlock new adaptive possibilities.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular evolution

Background:

  • Cryptic genetic variation can influence evolutionary trajectories.
  • Understanding how cryptic variation impacts adaptation is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of cryptic genetic variation in adaptation.
  • To elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Directed evolution of yellow fluorescent proteins in Escherichia coli.
  • Selection for a transition to green fluorescence.
  • Analysis of genetic variation and population fitness.

Main Results:

  • Populations with cryptic variation exhibited greater genotypic diversity and higher fitness.
  • Cryptic variation led to the accumulation of neutral or deleterious mutations, enabling novel adaptive pathways.
  • Populations without cryptic variation converged on similar genotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptic genetic variation facilitates adaptation by increasing evolutionary pathways and reducing predictability.
  • It creates historical contingency, allowing populations to explore diverse adaptive landscapes.
  • This variation is key to understanding the mechanisms of evolutionary innovation.