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Molecular Evolutionary Rate Predicts Intraspecific Genetic Polymorphism and Species-Specific Selection
Jiaqi Wu1, Takahiro Yonezawa2, Hirohisa Kishino3,4,5
1Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan.
Genes
|April 23, 2022
Summary
Genetic diversity is predicted by long-term evolutionary rates, not new mutations, establishing a link between molecular evolution and species traits. This finding aids in understanding adaptive evolution and morphological changes across mammals.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Genomics
Background:
- The drivers of genetic diversity and its relationship with biological traits remain largely unknown.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for comprehending evolutionary processes and species adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the determinants of genetic diversity in mammals.
- To explore the association between genetic diversity and biological traits, including morphological evolution.
- To develop a method for detecting species-specific selection on genes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of genetic variation across 14,671 mammalian gene trees.
- Examination of individual genomes from humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, mice, and dogs/wolves.
- Development of a novel method to detect gene-specific selection pressures based on predicted genetic diversity.
Main Results:
- Intraspecific genetic diversity is predictable by long-term molecular evolutionary rates, not de novo mutation rates.
- This predictive relationship originated in the early stages of mammalian evolution.
- Epithelial cell evolution, rather than connective tissue, significantly drives morphological divergence among species.
- Human adaptive evolution is exemplified by immune system development and selective sweeps due to infectious diseases.
Conclusions:
- Long-term molecular evolutionary rates are key determinants of intraspecific genetic diversity.
- The study provides a framework for detecting adaptive evolution and understanding species-specific selection.
- Epithelial cell evolution plays a major role in mammalian morphological diversity, with implications for human evolution.
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