Molecular evolution of candidate male reproductive genes in the brown algal model Ectocarpus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evolutionary studies of genes that mediate recognition between sperm and egg contribute to our understanding of reproductive isolation and speciation. Surface receptors involved in fertilization are targets of sexual selection, reinforcement, and other evolutionary forces including positive selection. This observation was made across different lineages of the eukaryotic tree from land plants to mammals, and is particularly evident in free-spawning animals. Here we use the brown algal model species Ectocarpus (Phaeophyceae) to investigate the evolution of candidate gamete recognition proteins in a distant major phylogenetic group of eukaryotes.

Results

Male gamete specific genes were identified by comparing transcriptome data covering different stages of the Ectoca

SUBMITTER: Lipinska AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4700764 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature