Robust Method for Detecting Convergent Shifts in Evolutionary Rates.

ABSTRACT: Identifying genomic elements underlying phenotypic adaptations is an important problem in evolutionary biology. Comparative analyses learning from convergent evolution of traits are gaining momentum in accurately detecting such elements. We previously developed a method for predicting phenotypic associations of genetic elements by contrasting patterns of sequence evolution in species showing a phenotype with those that do not. Using this method, we successfully demonstrated convergent evolutionary rate shifts in genetic elements associated with two phenotypic adaptations, namely the independent subterranean and marine transitions of terrestrial mammalian lineages. Our original method calculates gene-specific rates of evolution on branches of phylogenetic trees using linear regression. Thes

SUBMITTER: Partha R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6657723 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature