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Evolutionary genomics of oceanic island radiations
José Cerca1, Darko D Cotoras2, Vanessa C Bieker3
1Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|March 4, 2023
Summary
Oceanic archipelagos host many adaptive radiations, offering insights into ecology and evolution. However, most radiations lack evolutionary genomics studies, highlighting key knowledge gaps for future research.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Ecology
Background:
- Oceanic archipelagos are hotspots for adaptive radiations, producing endemic species-rich clades.
- These radiations provide crucial models for understanding ecology and evolution.
- Evolutionary genomics has advanced research at the ecology-evolution interface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of evolutionary genomics to adaptive radiations in oceanic archipelagos.
- To identify knowledge gaps in the study of these radiations using genomic approaches.
- To guide future research directions in evolutionary genomics of island radiations.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across scientific databases.
- Identification and analysis of studies on adaptive radiations in oceanic archipelagos.
- Assessment of the implementation of evolutionary genomics techniques.
Main Results:
- 110 putative adaptive radiations identified across 19 oceanic archipelagos.
- The majority of these radiations remain unexamined from an evolutionary genomics perspective.
- Significant gaps exist in taxonomic and geographic sampling for genomic studies.
Conclusions:
- Most island adaptive radiations are not yet studied using evolutionary genomics.
- Filling knowledge gaps requires broader implementation of genomic approaches.
- Further research will enhance understanding of adaptation, speciation, and evolutionary processes.
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