Novel Candidate Genes Underlying Extreme Trophic Specialization in Caribbean Pupfishes.

ABSTRACT: The genetic changes responsible for evolutionary transitions from generalist to specialist phenotypes are poorly understood. Here we examine the genetic basis of craniofacial traits enabling novel trophic specialization in a sympatric radiation of Cyprinodon pupfishes endemic to San Salvador Island, Bahamas. This recent radiation consists of a generalist species and two novel specialists: a small-jawed "snail-eater" and a large-jawed "scale-eater." We genotyped 12 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by whole-genome resequencing of 37 individuals of all three species from nine populations and integrated genome-wide divergence scans with association mapping to identify divergent regions containing putatively causal SNPs affecting jaw size-the most rapidly diversifying trait in thi

SUBMITTER: McGirr JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5850223 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature