Microevolutionary dynamics of a macroevolutionary key innovation in a Lepidopteran herbivore.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A molecular population genetics understanding is central to the study of ecological and evolutionary functional genomics. Population genetics identifies genetic variation and its distribution within and among populations, it reveals the demographic history of the populations studied, and can provide indirect insights into historical selection dynamics. Here we use this approach to examine the demographic and selective dynamics acting of a candidate gene involved in plant-insect interactions. Previous work documents the macroevolutionary and historical ecological importance of the nitrile-specifier protein (Nsp), which facilitated the host shift of Pieridae butterflies onto Brassicales host plants approximately 80 Myr ago.

Results

Here we assess the microevolutiona

SUBMITTER: Heidel-Fischer HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2841170 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature