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Baby makes three: Maternal, paternal, and zygotic genetic effects shape larval phenotypic evolution
Christina Zakas1,2, Matthew V Rockman2
1Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Life-history evolution depends on genetic influences from three genomes: maternal, paternal, and offspring. Understanding these genetic interactions is key to predicting population responses to selection.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Life-history evolution is shaped by genetic architecture.
- Early-life phenotypes are influenced by maternal and offspring genotypes.
- Interactions between these genomes are crucial for understanding evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the genetic architecture of early-life phenotypes.
- To investigate the contributions of maternal, paternal, and zygotic genotypes to larval traits.
- To understand the genetic basis of variation in larval size and morphology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a four-generation experimental pedigree in Streblospio benedicti.
- Isolated contributions of maternal, paternal, and zygotic genotypes.
- Analyzed genetic control of larval anatomical structures and size.
Main Results:
- Larval anatomical structures are controlled by offspring genotype at a few large-effect loci.
- Larval size is influenced by maternal genotype and, in part, by paternal genotype.
- Phenotypes are shaped by the interaction of three separate genomes.
Conclusions:
- Larval traits in Streblospio benedicti are influenced by a complex interplay of maternal, paternal, and offspring genomes.
- Population response to selection on larval traits depends on these multi-generational genetic interactions.
- This highlights the importance of considering multiple genomes in evolutionary studies.
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