Modelling speciation: Problems and implications

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Systems Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• The theory of speciation, originating from Darwin and Wallace, has evolved significantly with discoveries in genetics and population dynamics.
• Modern understanding integrates genetic inheritance, mutation, and quantitative evolutionary genetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the modern view of speciation within its historical context.
• To explore the complex, multi-scale processes underlying new species formation using systems biology approaches.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of speciation theory.
• Application of systems biology to analyze gene-to-population scale interactions.
• Computational investigation of mutation-phenotype pathways and selection drivers.

Main Results:

• Speciation involves interconnected processes from gene expression to population-level changes, influenced by factors like mutation and climate change.
• Stochastic activity characterizes evolutionary events at each scale, with mutation being central to variation.
• Complex interactions and feedback loops modulate evolutionary pathways.

Conclusions:

• The intricate nature of speciation makes most steps difficult to model computationally.
• Predicting future speciation events is challenging, except in specific cases.
• The complexity maximizes opportunities for novel variant formation.