Support for the evolutionary speed hypothesis from intraspecific population genetic data in the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius.

ABSTRACT: The evolutionary speed hypothesis (ESH) proposes a causal mechanism for the latitudinal diversity gradient. The central idea of the ESH is that warmer temperatures lead to shorter generation times and increased mutation rates. On an absolute time scale, both should lead to an acceleration of selection and drift. Based on the ESH, we developed predictions regarding the distribution of intraspecific genetic diversity: populations of ectothermic species with more generations per year owing to warmer ambient temperatures should be more differentiated from each other, accumulate more mutations and show evidence for increased mutation rates compared with populations in colder regions. We used the multivoltine insect species Chironomus riparius to test these predictions with cytochrome oxidase I

SUBMITTER: Oppold AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4810824 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature