Jacobs, A. , Carruthers, M., Eckmann, R., Yohannes, E., Adams, C. E. , Behrmann-Godel, J. and Elmer, K. R. (2019) Rapid niche expansion by selection on functional genomic variation after ecosystem recovery. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 3(1), pp. 77-86. (doi: 10.1038/s41559-018-0742-9) (PMID:30510178)
|
Text
171335.pdf - Accepted Version 1MB |
Abstract
It is well recognized that environmental degradation caused by human activities can result in dramatic losses of species and diversity. However, comparatively little is known about the ability of biodiversity to re-emerge following ecosystem recovery. Here, we show that a European whitefish subspecies, the gangfisch Coregonus lavaretus macrophthalmus, rapidly increased its ecologically functional diversity following the restoration of Lake Constance after anthropogenic eutrophication. In fewer than ten generations, gangfisch evolved a greater range of gill raker numbers (GRNs) to utilize a broader ecological niche. A sparse genetic architecture underlies this variation in GRN. Several co-expressed gene modules and genes showing signals of positive selection were associated with GRN and body shape. These were enriched for biological pathways related to trophic niche expansion in fishes. Our findings demonstrate the potential of functional diversity to expand following habitat restoration, given a fortuitous combination of genetic architecture, genetic diversity and selection.
Item Type: | Articles |
---|---|
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Carruthers, Madeleine and Jacobs, Mr Arne and Elmer, Professor Kathryn and Adams, Professor Colin |
Authors: | Jacobs, A., Carruthers, M., Eckmann, R., Yohannes, E., Adams, C. E., Behrmann-Godel, J., and Elmer, K. R. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
Journal Name: | Nature Ecology and Evolution |
Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
ISSN: | 2397-334X |
ISSN (Online): | 2397-334X |
Published Online: | 03 December 2018 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Nature Ecology and Evolution 3:77-86 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record