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The evolution of dimorphic traits: predicting the genetic correlation between environments

D A Roff1

  • 1Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Genetics
|January 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

The environmental threshold (ET) model explains dichotomous traits influenced by genetics and environment. It predicts a genetic correlation of 1 across single-factor environmental changes, supported by insect studies.

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Area of Science:

  • Quantitative genetics
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Many traits exhibit dichotomous variation despite polygenic genetic underpinnings.
  • The threshold model analyzes dimorphic traits by assuming an underlying continuous character and a phenotypic threshold.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and validate the environmental threshold (ET) model for analyzing polygenic, dimorphic traits influenced by environmental variables.
  • To investigate the impact of environmental factors on genetic correlations in threshold traits.

Main Methods:

  • Developed the environmental threshold (ET) model, incorporating environmental variables and normally distributed population thresholds.
  • Applied the ET model to analyze genetic correlations in wing dimorphic insects across different environmental conditions.

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Main Results:

  • The ET model predicts a genetic correlation of 1 when environments differ in only one factor.
  • Empirical data from three wing dimorphic insect species support the prediction of a genetic correlation of 1 across single-factor environmental shifts.
  • Genetic correlation was found to be less than 1 when environments varied in two components (temperature and photoperiod).

Conclusions:

  • The ET model provides a robust framework for understanding the genetic architecture of threshold traits under environmental influence.
  • Environmental factors, particularly when varying in multiple components, can modulate genetic correlations, impacting trait evolution.