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Genetic linkage of distinct adaptive traits in sympatrically speciating crater lake cichlid fish

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  • Carmelo Fruciano

    (Lehrstuhl für Zoologie and Evolutionsbiologie, University of Konstanz
    School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology)

  • Paolo Franchini

    (Lehrstuhl für Zoologie and Evolutionsbiologie, University of Konstanz)

  • Viera Kovacova

    (Lehrstuhl für Zoologie and Evolutionsbiologie, University of Konstanz
    Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences Czech Republic)

  • Kathryn R. Elmer

    (Lehrstuhl für Zoologie and Evolutionsbiologie, University of Konstanz
    Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow)

  • Frederico Henning

    (Lehrstuhl für Zoologie and Evolutionsbiologie, University of Konstanz)

  • Axel Meyer

    (Lehrstuhl für Zoologie and Evolutionsbiologie, University of Konstanz)

Abstract

Our understanding of how biological diversity arises is limited, especially in the case of speciation in the face of gene flow. Here we investigate the genomic basis of adaptive traits, focusing on a sympatrically diverging species pair of crater lake cichlid fishes. We identify the main quantitative trait loci (QTL) for two eco-morphological traits: body shape and pharyngeal jaw morphology. These traits diverge in parallel between benthic and limnetic species in the repeated adaptive radiations of this and other fish lineages. Remarkably, a single chromosomal region contains the highest effect size QTL for both traits. Transcriptomic data show that the QTL regions contain genes putatively under selection. Independent population genomic data corroborate QTL regions as areas of high differentiation between the sympatric sister species. Our results provide empirical support for current theoretical models that emphasize the importance of genetic linkage and pleiotropy in facilitating rapid divergence in sympatry.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmelo Fruciano & Paolo Franchini & Viera Kovacova & Kathryn R. Elmer & Frederico Henning & Axel Meyer, 2016. "Genetic linkage of distinct adaptive traits in sympatrically speciating crater lake cichlid fish," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12736
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12736
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