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Many functionally connected loci foster adaptive diversification along a neotropical hybrid zone
James J Lewis1,2, Steven M Van Belleghem3, Riccardo Papa3,4
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. jjl336@cornell.edu.
Science Advances
|September 26, 2020
Summary
Evolutionary genetics reveals that butterfly wing color diversification involves numerous genes. These genes form 3D hubs, with a key factor, Optix, coordinating their activity for distinct color patterns.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Understanding trait evolution requires characterizing genetic complexity.
- Previous models proposed few large-effect loci or massively polygenic architectures for adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of red color pattern diversification in Heliconius butterflies.
- To determine if adaptation involves many genomic loci and their interactions.
Main Methods:
- Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq)
- Hi-C
- RNA sequencing
- Whole-genome sequencing of 40 Heliconius individuals
Main Results:
- Red color pattern diversification is driven by numerous genomic loci.
- The Optix transcription factor binds many selected loci, forming 3D adaptive hubs.
- Selected Optix-bound genes are involved in pigmentation and wing development, maintaining distinct phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Trait evolution can involve functional connections between multiple interacting loci.
- This model reconciles disparities between large-effect and polygenic evolutionary theories.
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