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When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
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In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
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In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
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Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
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Long-term evolutionary persistence of a cryptic color polymorphism in frogs.

Sandra Goutte1, Stéphane Boissinot1,2

  • 1Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
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Cryptic color polymorphism in frogs, involving green and brown morphs, can persist for long evolutionary periods. This trait enhances survival in varied environments and drives higher diversification rates in anuran lineages.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics
  • Herpetology

Background:

  • Color polymorphism aids cryptic species survival in diverse environments.
  • Mechanisms maintaining cryptic color polymorphisms and their macroevolutionary impact are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary history of green and brown morphs in anurans.
  • To identify the genetic basis and selection pressures of this widespread polymorphism.

Main Methods:

  • Order-scale comparative analysis of anuran evolutionary history.
  • Identification of the specific genetic locus for green/brown polymorphism in African grass frogs.

Main Results:

  • Polymorphic anuran lineages exhibit frequent habitat switching and increased diversification rates.
  • The green/brown polymorphism is maintained by long-term balancing selection, leading to trans-specific polymorphism.

Conclusions:

  • A microevolutionary mechanism explains the macroevolutionary persistence of cryptic color morphs.
  • Cryptic color polymorphism is crucial for anuran ecology and evolution, influencing genetic architecture and selective forces.