Article
Ecology
Maddie E. James, Melanie J. Wilkinson, Diana M. Bernal, Huanle Liu, Henry L. North, Jan Engelstadter, Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos
Summary: The independent and repeated adaptation of populations to similar environments often leads to the evolution of similar forms, known as parallel evolution. This study on multiple coastal ecotypes of Senecio lautus in Australia shows a strong correlation between phenotype and environment, with all populations evolving along the same phenotypic trajectory through mutational changes in different genes. The research sheds light on replicated adaptation at both phenotypic and genotypic levels within populations, highlighting S. lautus as a striking example of phenotypic parallel evolution in nature.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ainsley Lilias Fraser, Rana El-Sabaawi
Summary: The study aimed to assess morphological trait variation in marine stickleback populations in southern British Columbia and determine the associated oceanographic and habitat characteristics. The researchers found that marine sticklebacks varied morphologically among and between regions and habitats, but the variation did not appear to be related to environmental variation. Sexual dimorphism was the largest source of variation, but oceanographic and habitat variables influenced differences between sexes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Lukacisin, Adriana Espinosa-Cantu, Tobias Bollenbach
Summary: Introns mediate inducible phenotypic heterogeneity and provide a fitness advantage in yeast, enhancing survival and growth under stress and starvation conditions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dongjuan Zhang, Jing Ren, Hui Jiang, Vincent Okelo Wanga, Xiang Dong, Guangwan Hu
Summary: In this study, the complete plastomes of six Polygonatum species were sequenced and assembled, with the chloroplast genome of P. campanulatum reported for the first time. Comparative analysis revealed a high degree of similarity in plastome characteristics between Polygonatum and Heteropolygonatum. Five highly variable regions were identified as potential DNA barcodes in Polygonatum. Leaf arrangement was found to be unsuitable as a basis for delimitation of subgeneric groups in Polygonatum, and the definitions of P. cyrtonema and P. verticillatum require further study.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark Pagel, Ciara O'Donovan, Andrew Meade
Summary: Macroevolution poses challenges to evolutionary theory due to abrupt changes and long stagnation periods. This study introduces a statistical model that considers directional changes and evolvability changes to account for this uneven evolutionary landscape. In mammals, both processes independently contribute to macroevolution, with increased evolvability being more common than reduced evolutionary potentials. Large or sudden phenotypic changes can be statistically explained as biased random walks, bridging the gap between macroevolution and gradualist microevolution. This study emphasizes the importance of considering multiple evolutionary processes simultaneously.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arne Jacobs, Kathryn R. Elmer
Summary: Research on the replicated postglacial divergence of Arctic charr into sympatric benthic and pelagic ecotypes reveals the significance of alternative splicing and differential gene expression, primarily controlled by independent cis-regulatory quantitative trait loci. While differentially spliced genes are enriched in muscle development, functioning, and highly central in regulatory networks, differentially expressed genes are associated with metabolism, immunity, and growth, indicating complementary molecular processes in rapid parallel adaptive evolution.
Article
Ecology
Marvin Moosmann, Cameron M. Hudson, Ole Seehausen, Blake Matthews
Summary: Lineages with independent evolutionary histories often differ in both their morphology and diet, but the reasons for dietary divergence are not well understood. This study explores the phenotypic causes of dietary divergence between two divergent lineages of threespine stickleback using common-garden experiments and analyses of foraging traits. The results suggest that dietary divergence arises from differences in both morphology and behaviors related to prey capture success.
Article
Limnology
Genevieve J. Parent, Stephane Plourde, Howard Browman, Julie Turgeon, Adam Petrusek
Summary: This article argues that the lack of evidence for hybridization between C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis may be due to an inappropriate selection of reference samples and genetic markers. By reviewing genetic classification terms and techniques, the authors suggest that careful consideration of reference samples is crucial in studying potential hybridization in marine species. Additionally, contrasting methods used by different studies highlights the importance of developing markers that can accurately distinguish between hybrid and parental genotypes.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Matthew Smart, Sidhartha Goyal, Anton Zilman
Summary: The local microenvironment of a tumor is crucial in cancer development and can affect cellular phenotypes and carcinogenesis. A minimal model has been developed to study the interaction between healthy, dysregulated, and cancer cells in the tissue microenvironment, exploring the impact of microenvironment feedback on cancer initiation and progression.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
R. Axel W. Wiberg, Paris Veltsos, Rhonda R. Snook, Michael G. Ritchie
Summary: Comparative genomics has shown that sexual selection plays a significant role in evolutionary divergence and speciation, but accurately determining the relative importance of natural selection, demography, and neutral processes is challenging. Experimental evolution allows for controlled treatments over multiple generations to investigate genomic divergence.
Review
Ecology
Max Verbiest, Mikhail Maksimov, Ye Jin, Maria Anisimova, Melissa Gymrek, Tugce Bilgin Sonay
Summary: Short tandem repeats (STRs) are short DNA units that repeat in a tandem fashion and contribute to genetic and phenotypic divergence. STRs have high mutation rates, leading to frequent copy number changes and a wide range of alleles. Recent advancements in sequencing technology, genome assemblies, and bioinformatics methods have allowed for more systematic study of STR variation across species. This review explores the mutation and selection processes affecting STR copy number evolution, as well as functional and adaptive changes linked to STRs.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Susan J. Mazer, David J. Hunter, Alisa A. Hove, Leah S. Dudley
Summary: This study investigates the phenotypic divergence and selection on functional traits in closely related taxa, finding that self-pollinating taxa flower earlier and have higher gas exchange rates compared to outcrossing taxa. However, the degree and direction of divergence between sister taxa vary depending on the life stage, highlighting the need for further studies on the direction of selection within and among taxa.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matt J. Thorstensen, Melinda R. Baerwald, Ken M. Jeffries
Summary: The study compared mRNA and microsatellite data sets of two populations of a minnow species in the San Francisco Estuary, finding that mRNA sequencing revealed patterns of population structure similar to microsatellites but with lower genetic variation. Phenotypic plasticity and signatures of selection were mostly mutually exclusive within individual genes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rik Verdonck, Delphine Legrand, Staffan Jacob, Herve Philippe
Summary: Ciliates have a unique genetic system with two types of nuclei in each cell. The ecological and evolutionary significance of nuclear dimorphism in ciliates has not been well explained. We propose a novel explanation that suggests ciliate nuclear dimorphism can be considered as a tool for phenotypic plasticity by somatic selection at the level of the ciliate clone.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew K. Brachmann, Kevin Parsons, Skuli Skulason, Oscar Gaggiotti, Moira Ferguson
Summary: Sympatric adaptive phenotypic divergence of benthic and pelagic morphs in Icelandic Arctic charr is underlined by genomic differentiation. The divergence histories were reconstructed using coalescent modeling and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Genomic differentiation was characterized by outlier loci and was associated with phenotypic and ecological variation, suggesting a genomic basis for adaptive divergence. Little evidence was found for a parallel genomic basis of differentiation among populations.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Arianna Passarotto, Chiara Morosinotto, Jon E. Brommer, Esa Aaltonen, Kari Ahola, Teuvo Karstinen, Patrik Karell
Summary: Dispersal is a critical process that affects the spatial distribution, density, and genetic structure of species' populations. In this study, we investigated the natal dispersal distance of color polymorphic tawny owls in relation to winter temperature and individual characteristics. We found that the dispersal distances varied in opposite ways for different color morphs, suggesting an interaction between phenotype and environment.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Le Pepke, Thomas Kvalnes, Sarah Lundregan, Winnie Boner, Pat Monaghan, Bernt-Erik Saether, Henrik Jensen, Thor Harald Ringsby
Summary: The study demonstrates that early-life telomere length has low heritability and is strongly affected by environmental conditions, it is a polygenic trait.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lilja Dahl, Henrik Jensen, Alessandro Bigi, Grazia Ghermandi
Summary: Atmospheric nitrogen oxides (NOX) are significant pollutants and contribute to various environmental issues. The application of photocatalysis technology using titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles shows promise in removing NOX from the air. The study conducted a large-scale evaluation of NOX removal efficiency in an urban road environment and found that the photocatalytic treatment did not result in a significant reduction in NOX concentrations.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jenni Poutanen, Angela K. Fuller, Jyrki Pusenius, J. Andrew Royle, Mikael Wikstrom, Jon E. Brommer
Summary: By conducting a non-invasive genetic study, we identified factors influencing white-tailed deer density and space use, revealing their preferences for fields and mixed forest as habitat in southern Finland. We also found that transitional woodlands and proximity to fields play a role in their habitat selection. Considering landscape heterogeneity improved model fit and inferred total density. This study highlights the importance of including habitat covariates when estimating density and demonstrates the feasibility of studying resource selection using non-invasive methods.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
E. Gaget, T. Galewski, J. E. Brommer, I. Le Viol, F. Jiguet, N. Baccetti, T. Langendoen, B. Molina, F. Moniz, C. Moussy, M. Zenatello, M. Guillemain
Summary: Climate warming is causing species to move towards the poles to find suitable climate conditions. However, a study found that ducks in areas where hunting activities are common are less likely to shift their distribution. This study highlights the impact of human activities on wildlife and raises questions about the long-term consequences for duck populations.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Charlotte Perrault, Chiara Morosinotto, Jon E. Brommer, Patrik Karell
Summary: This study examined the behavior of 19 captive tawny owls in familiar and novel environments, and found that color morphs differed in their choice of perches and response to predation risk. Brown tawny owls were more likely to use exposed perches in a novel environment.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Martina Ferraguti, Sergio Magallanes, Jessica Jimenez-Penuela, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Luz Garcia-Longoria, Jordi Figuerola, Jaime Muriel, Tamer Albayrak, Staffan Bensch, Camille Bonneaud, Rohan H. Clarke, Gabor A. Czirjak, Dimitar Dimitrov, Kathya Espinoza, John G. Ewen, Farah Ishtiaq, Wendy Flores-Saavedra, Laszlo Zsolt Garamszegi, Olof Hellgren, Dita Horakova, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Henrik Jensen, Asta Krizanauskiene, Marcos R. Lima, Charlene Lujan-Vega, Eyofinn Magnussen, Lynn B. Martin, Kevin D. Matson, Anders Pape Moller, Pavel Munclinger, Vaidas Palinauskas, Peter L. Pap, Javier Perez-Tris, Swen C. Renner, Robert Ricklefs, Sergio Scebba, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal, Manuel Soler, Eszter Szoellosi, Gediminas Valkiunas, Helena Westerdahl, Pavel Zehtindjiev, Alfonso Marzal
Summary: This study investigated the ecological drivers affecting avian malaria parasite lineages in native and introduced house sparrows. The results showed that urbanization was positively related to parasite prevalence in both native and introduced populations, with higher infection in areas with intermediate levels of urbanization. In introduced populations, altitude and time since bird introduction were positively associated with the number of parasite lineages.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Adne M. Nafstad, Bernt Ronning, Kenneth Aase, Thor Harald Ringsby, Ingerid J. Hagen, Peter S. Ranke, Thomas Kvalnes, Clare Stawski, Katja Raesaenen, Bernt-Erik Saether, Stefanie Muff, Henrik Jensen
Summary: The study explores the evolutionary potential of basal metabolic rate (BMR) in two populations of house sparrows. The results indicate that BMR is genetically correlated with body mass and has the potential to evolve independently of it. The spatial population structure also affects the evolutionary potential of BMR.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Simon P. Gaultier, Thomas M. Lilley, Eero J. Vesterinen, Jon E. Brommer
Summary: The impacts of wind power on bats are not well understood or considered during project planning, with recorded fatalities being the main focus. This study in Finland monitored bat activity near wind turbines and found higher presence and activity of certain bat species at greater distances from the turbines. There was also an increase in bat activity during midsummer, possibly due to increased use of forest canopy cover. These results highlight the necessity of considering bats during wind power project development and call for further investigation into the observed effects.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Daniele Baroni, Jan Hanzelka, Teresa Raimondi, Marco Gamba, Jon E. Brommer, Toni Laaksonen
Summary: Passive acoustic monitoring is an effective method to detect elusive species, especially in forests. The study shows that the Eurasian pygmy owl prefers mature forests, and passive acoustic monitoring can help estimate population numbers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miguel Baltazar-Soares, Patrik Karell, Dominic Wright, Jan-Ake Nilsson, Jon E. Brommer
Summary: This study collected pairwise genome-mitogenome data of the order Strigiformes and identified nuclear insertions of mitochondrial origin (NUMTs) by comparing mitochondrial genomes with nuclear genome assemblies. The results showed that the size of NUMTs negatively correlated with their sequence similarity to the original mtDNA region. Comparative genomics analysis revealed variable phylogenetic patterns of these insertions, suggesting that some insertions might pre-date speciation events within Strigiformes.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Arianna Passarotto, Chiara Morosinotto, Jon E. Brommer, Esa Aaltonen, Kari Ahola, Teuvo Karstinen, Patrik Karell
Summary: Territorial species, like the tawny owl, rarely move between breeding seasons, but mate loss can lead to breeding dispersal. Changing partners has negative effects on subsequent reproductive performance, including skipped reproduction and smaller clutches.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Book Review
Ecology
Jon E. Brommer
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Hamish A. Burnett, Vanessa C. Bieker, Mathilde Le Moullec, Bart Peeters, Jorgen Rosvold, Ashild onvik Pedersen, Love Dalen, Leif Egil Loe, Henrik Jensen, Brage B. Hansen, Michael D. Martin
Summary: Anthropogenic reintroduction can supplement natural recolonization in reestablishing a species' distribution and abundance. However, both reintroductions and recolonizations can give rise to founder effects that reduce genetic diversity and increase inbreeding, potentially causing the accumulation of genetic load and reduced fitness.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Giuseppe Orlando, Arianna Passarotto, Chiara Morosinotto, Kari Ahola, Teuvo Karstinen, Jon E. Brommer, Katja Koskenpato, Patrik Karell
Summary: Despite numerous studies focusing on the associations between climate, food conditions and reproduction in the wild, little is known about population level responses in long-lived species and over longer periods. In this study, we assessed the importance of prey abundance and winter climate on population size and productivity in a Tawny Owl population in southern Finland over a 40-year period.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
