A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Evolutionary history of the recruitment of conserved developmental genes in association to the formation and diversification of a novel trait
Authors: Shirai LT, Saenko SV, Keller RA, Jeronimo MA, Brakefield PM, Descimon H, Wahlberg N, Beldade P
Publisher: BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
Publication year: 2012
Journal: BMC Evolutionary Biology
Journal name in source: BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
Journal acronym: BMC EVOL BIOL
Number in series: 1
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
First page : 21
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1471-2148
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-12-21(external)
Abstract
Conclusions: The evolutionary history of gene (co-) recruitment is consistent with both divergence from a recruited putative ancestral network, and with independent co-option of individual genes. The diversity in the combinations of genes expressed in association with eyespot formation does not parallel diversity in characteristics of the adult phenotype. We discuss these results in the context of inferring homology. Our study underscores the importance of widening the representation of phylogenetic, morphological, and genetic diversity in order to establish general principles about the mechanisms behind the evolution of novel traits.
Conclusions: The evolutionary history of gene (co-) recruitment is consistent with both divergence from a recruited putative ancestral network, and with independent co-option of individual genes. The diversity in the combinations of genes expressed in association with eyespot formation does not parallel diversity in characteristics of the adult phenotype. We discuss these results in the context of inferring homology. Our study underscores the importance of widening the representation of phylogenetic, morphological, and genetic diversity in order to establish general principles about the mechanisms behind the evolution of novel traits.