Clonal polymorphism and high heterozygosity in the celibate genome of the Amazon molly.
Nat Ecol Evol
; 2(4): 669-679, 2018 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29434351
ABSTRACT
The extreme rarity of asexual vertebrates in nature is generally explained by genomic decay due to absence of meiotic recombination, thus leading to extinction of such lineages. We explore features of a vertebrate asexual genome, the Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa, and find few signs of genetic degeneration but unique genetic variability and ongoing evolution. We uncovered a substantial clonal polymorphism and, as a conserved feature from its interspecific hybrid origin, a 10-fold higher heterozygosity than in the sexual parental species. These characteristics seem to be a principal reason for the unpredicted fitness of this asexual vertebrate. Our data suggest that asexual vertebrate lineages are scarce not because they are at a disadvantage, but because the genomic combinations required to bypass meiosis and to make up a functioning hybrid genome are rarely met in nature.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Polimorfismo Genético
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Reprodução Assexuada
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Poecilia
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Genoma
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article