AI Article Synopsis

  • The study focuses on how genetic barriers contribute to the creation of new species, using data from over 400 genomes of hybrid carrion and hooded crows in Europe.
  • Researchers found that the majority of plumage color differences were influenced by interactions between a specific gene (NDP) and a large chromosomal region with limited recombination.
  • The findings suggest that a small number of powerful genetic loci can play a significant role in preventing gene flow and maintaining distinct physical characteristics in these bird species.

Article Abstract

The evolution of genetic barriers opposing interspecific gene flow is key to the origin of new species. Drawing from information on over 400 admixed genomes sourced from replicate transects across the European hybrid zone between all-black carrion crows and grey-coated hooded crows, we decipher the interplay between phenotypic divergence and selection at the molecular level. Over 68% of plumage variation was explained by epistasis between the gene NDP and a ~2.8-megabase region on chromosome 18 with suppressed recombination. Both pigmentation loci showed evidence for divergent selection resisting introgression. This study reveals how few, large-effect loci can govern prezygotic isolation and shield phenotypic divergence from gene flow.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6445362PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-0847-9DOI Listing

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