scholarly journals ON THE THEORY OF SPECIATION INDUCED BY TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS

Genetics ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-341
Author(s):  
Lev R Ginzburg ◽  
Paul M Bingham ◽  
Sinjae Yoo

ABSTRACT A simple methematical model describes the invasion of panmictic, sexually reproducing populations by a newly introduced transposon. The model places important constraints on the properties that transposons must have to successfully invade a population and describes the kinetics with which such an invasion will occur. Invasibility conditions serve as a basis for new, detailed scenarios whereby transposon-mediated depression in fitness produces reproductive isolation of populations. These scenarios, in turn, lead to several speculations concerning the role of transposons in evolution.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean M. Castillo ◽  
Leonie C. Moyle

AbstractAlthough observed in many interspecific crosses, the genetic basis of most hybrid incompatibilities is still unknown. Mismatches between parental genomes in selfish elements and the genes that regulate these elements are frequently hypothesized to underlie hybrid dysfunction. We evaluated the potential role of transposable elements (TEs) in hybrid incompatibilities by examining hybrids between Drosophila virilis strains polymorphic for TEs that cause dysgenesis and a closely related species that appears to lack these elements. Using genomic data, we confirmed copy number differences in potentially causal TEs between the dysgenic-causing D. virilis (TE+) strain and a sensitive D. virilis (TE-) strain and D. lummei genotype. We then contrasted isolation phenotypes in a cross where dysgenic TEs are absent from both D. virilis (TE-) and D. lummei parental genotypes, to a cross where dysgenic TEs are present in the D. virilis (TE+) parent and absent in the D. lummei parent, predicting increased reproductive isolation in the latter cross. Using F1 and backcross experiments that account for alternative hypotheses, we demonstrated amplified reproductive isolation specifically in the interspecific cross involving TE+ D. virilis, consistent with the action of dysgenesis-inducing TEs. These experiments demonstrate that TEs can contribute to hybrid incompatibilities via presence/absence polymorphisms.


Genome ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Bahar Patlar ◽  
Alberto Civetta

It has long been acknowledged that changes in the regulation of gene expression may account for major organismal differences. However, we still do not fully understand how changes in gene expression evolve and how do such changes influence organisms’ differences. We are even less aware of the impact such changes might have in restricting gene flow between species. Here, we focus on studies of gene expression and speciation in the Drosophila model. We review studies that have identified gene interactions in post-mating reproductive isolation and speciation, particularly those that modulate male gene expression. We also address studies that have experimentally manipulated changes in gene expression to test their effect in post-mating reproductive isolation. We highlight the need for a more in-depth analysis of the role of selection causing disrupted gene expression of such candidate genes in sterile/inviable hybrids. Moreover, we discuss the relevance to incorporate more routinely assays that simultaneously evaluate the potential effects of environmental factors and genetic background in modulating plastic responses in male genes and their potential role in speciation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-591
Author(s):  
Leo Joseph ◽  
Alex Drew ◽  
Ian J Mason ◽  
Jeffrey L Peters

Abstract We reassessed whether two parapatric non-sister Australian honeyeater species (Aves: Meliphagidae), varied and mangrove honeyeaters (Gavicalis versicolor and G. fasciogularis, respectively), that diverged from a common ancestor c. 2.5 Mya intergrade in the Townsville area of north-eastern Queensland. Consistent with a previous specimen-based study, by using genomics methods we show one-way gene flow for autosomal but not Z-linked markers from varied into mangrove honeyeaters. Introgression barely extends south of the area of parapatry in and around the city of Townsville. While demonstrating the long-term porosity of species boundaries over several million years, our data also suggest a clear role of sex chromosomes in maintaining reproductive isolation.


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