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Updated: Jun 11, 2025
04:52
Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
Published on: February 3, 2023
923
Phenotypic stasis with genetic divergence
François Mallard1, Luke Noble1, Thiago Guzella1
1Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure, CNRS UMR 8197, Inserm U1024, PSL Research University, F-75005 Paris, France.
Peer Community Journal
|September 30, 2024
Summary
Genetic divergence in Caenorhabditis elegans locomotion behavior was explored. Despite phenotypic stasis, genetic variance structure diverged, suggesting drift influences trait evolution under stabilizing selection.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Investigating the compatibility of short-term genetic divergence with phenotypic stasis.
- Understanding evolutionary dynamics in genetically diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if genetic divergence can occur without observable changes in locomotion behavior over 240 generations.
- To analyze the genetic (co)variance structure of locomotion traits during evolution.
Main Methods:
- Evolving predominantly outcrossing, genetically diverse Caenorhabditis elegans populations for 240 generations in a constant environment.
- Monitoring individual locomotion behavior, including activity and direction transition rates.
- Analyzing the genetic (co)variance structure of these traits over time.
Main Results:
- Locomotion behavior component traits did not diverge from the ancestral state.
- Significant divergence in the genetic (co)variance structure of transition rates was observed.
- Genetic differentiation appeared transient, linked to genetic variance loss under drift.
Conclusions:
- Short-term phenotypic stasis in locomotion behavior is maintained by stabilizing selection.
- The genetic structuring of locomotion traits is influenced by drift history.
- Short-term evolution can lead to divergence in genetic architecture without immediate phenotypic change.
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