The role of genome and gene regulatory network canalization in the evolution of multi-trait polymorphisms and sympatric speciation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual reproduction has classically been considered as a barrier to the buildup of discrete phenotypic differentiation. This notion has been confirmed by models of sympatric speciation in which a fixed genetic architecture and a linear genotype phenotype mapping were assumed. In this paper we study the influence of a flexible genetic architecture and non-linear genotype phenotype map on differentiation under sexual reproduction.We use an individual based model in which organisms have a genome containing genes and transcription factor binding sites. Mutations involve single genes or binding sites or stretches of genome. The genome codes for a regulatory network that determines the gene expression pattern and hence the phenotype of the organism, resulting in a non-linear g

SUBMITTER: ten Tusscher KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3224660 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature