Adaptive evolution in a conifer hybrid zone is driven by a mosaic of recently introgressed and background genetic variants

M. Menon; J. C. Bagley; G. F. M. Page; A. V. Whipple; A. W. Schoettle; C. J. Still; C. Wehenkel; K. M. Waring; L. Flores-Renteria; S. A. Cushman; A. J. Eckert

doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01632-7

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Adaptive evolution in a conifer hybrid zone is driven by a mosaic of recently introgressed and background genetic variants

M. Menon, J. C. Bagley, G. F. M. Page, A. V. Whipple, A. W. Schoettle, C. J. Still, C. Wehenkel, K. M. Waring, L. Flores-Renteria, S. A. Cushman, …

Communications biology, Vol.4(1), Art. 160

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01632-7

PMID: 33547394

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Abstract

Adaptation, Biological - genetics

Alleles

Arizona

Biological Evolution

Genetic Introgression - physiology

Genetic Speciation

Genetic Variation - physiology

Geography

Hybridization, Genetic - physiology

Mexico

Mosaicism

Pinus - genetics

Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Tracheophyta - classification

Tracheophyta - genetics

Extant conifer species may be susceptible to rapid environmental change owing to their long generation times, but could also be resilient due to high levels of standing genetic diversity. Hybridisation between closely related species can increase genetic diversity and generate novel allelic combinations capable of fuelling adaptive evolution. Our study unravelled the genetic architecture of adaptive evolution in a conifer hybrid zone formed between Pinus strobiformis and P. flexilis. Using a multifaceted approach emphasising the spatial and environmental patterns of linkage disequilibrium and ancestry enrichment, we identified recently introgressed and background genetic variants to be driving adaptive evolution along different environmental gradients. Specifically, recently introgressed variants from P. flexilis were favoured along freeze-related environmental gradients, while background variants were favoured along water availability-related gradients. We posit that such mosaics of allelic variants within conifer hybrid zones will confer upon them greater resilience to ongoing and future environmental change and can be a key resource for conservation efforts.

Details

Title: Adaptive evolution in a conifer hybrid zone is driven by a mosaic of recently introgressed and background genetic variants
Authors/Creators: M. Menon - University of California, Davis
J. C. Bagley - Jacksonville State University
G. F. M. Page - Murdoch University, College of Environmental and Life Sciences
A. V. Whipple - Northern Arizona University
A. W. Schoettle - Rocky Mountain Research Station
C. J. Still - Oregon State University
C. Wehenkel - Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango
K. M. Waring - Northern Arizona University
L. Flores-Renteria - San Diego State University
S. A. Cushman - US Forest Service
A. J. Eckert - Virginia Commonwealth University
Publication Details: Communications biology, Vol.4(1), Art. 160
Publisher: Springer Nature
Identifiers: 991005550568607891
Murdoch Affiliation: College of Environmental and Life Sciences; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.64 Phylogenetics & Genomics; 3.64.71 Genetic Diversity
Web Of Science research areas: Biology
ESI research areas: Biology & Biochemistry