The genetic basis of divergent melanic pigmentation in benthic and limnetic threespine stickleback.

ABSTRACT: Pigmentation is an excellent trait to examine patterns of evolutionary change because it is often under natural selection. Benthic and limnetic threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) exhibit distinct pigmentation phenotypes, likely an adaptation to occupation of divergent niches. The genetic architecture of pigmentation in vertebrates appears to be complex. Prior QTL mapping of threespine stickleback pigmentation phenotypes has identified several candidate loci. However-relative to other morphological phenotypes (e.g., spines or lateral plates)-the genetic architecture of threespine stickleback pigmentation remains understudied. Here, we performed QTL mapping for two melanic pigmentation traits (melanophore density and lateral barring) using benthic-limnetic F₂ crosses.

SUBMITTER: Tapanes E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11437277 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature