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Climate-driven selection may shape mitochondrial genome evolution in Scincidae
Xuxiang Wu1, Lemei Zhan1, Lingyi Ding1
1College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
Iscience
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Skink mitochondrial genomes reveal climate-driven selection shaping genetic evolution. Environmental factors like temperature and precipitation seasonality strongly correlate with changes in key mitochondrial genes, impacting skink adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
- Herpetology
Background:
- Skinks (Scincidae) are globally distributed lizards facing diverse environmental challenges.
- Understanding their evolutionary adaptations requires analyzing genetic variations and environmental influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and divergence times within the Scincidae family using mitochondrial genome data.
- To investigate the impact of bioclimatic variables on skink mitochondrial gene evolution and identify potential climate-driven selection.
Main Methods:
- Assembled 16 complete mitochondrial genomes from skink species.
- Reconstructed phylogenetic relationships and divergence times.
- Classified 36 skink species into five clusters based on bioclimatic variables.
- Analyzed environmental correlations with mitochondrial protein-coding genes.
Main Results:
- Identified positively selected sites in the ND2 and ND1 genes in specific skink clusters.
- Temperature seasonality and precipitation seasonality showed strong associations with mitochondrial genes (COX3, ND1).
- Detected significant correlations between bioclimatic variables and skink mitochondrial genetic patterns.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial genes in skinks appear to be influenced by climate-driven selection.
- Environmental factors, particularly seasonality, play a crucial role in shaping skink genetic diversity and adaptation.
- Phylogenetic and environmental analyses provide insights into skink evolutionary history and adaptive strategies.
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