Genome evolution of blind subterranean mole rats: Adaptive peripatric versus sympatric speciation.

ABSTRACT: Speciation mechanisms remain controversial. Two speciation models occur in Israeli subterranean mole rats, genus Spalax: a regional speciation cline southward of four peripatric climatic chromosomal species and a local, geologic-edaphic, genic, and sympatric speciation. Here we highlight their genome evolution. The five species were separated into five genetic clusters by single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variations (CNVs), repeatome, and methylome in sympatry. The regional interspecific divergence correspond to Pleistocene climatic cycles. Climate warmings caused chromosomal speciation. Triple effective population size, N_e , declines match glacial cold cycles. Adaptive genes evolved under positive selection to underground stresses and to divergen

SUBMITTER: Li K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7768758 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature