Parallel evolution of gene expression between trophic specialists despite divergent genotypes and morphologies.

ABSTRACT: Parallel evolution of gene expression commonly underlies convergent niche specialization, but parallel changes in expression could also underlie divergent specialization. We investigated divergence in gene expression and whole-genome genetic variation across three sympatric Cyprinodon pupfishes endemic to San Salvador Island, Bahamas. This recent radiation consists of a generalist and two derived specialists adapted to novel niches: a scale-eating and a snail-eating pupfish. We sampled total mRNA from all three species at two early developmental stages and compared gene expression with whole-genome genetic differentiation among all three species in 42 resequenced genomes. Eighty percent of genes that were differentially expressed between snail-eaters and generalists were up or down

SUBMITTER: McGirr JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6089502 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature