Evolution of Reproductive Life History in Mammals and the Associated Change of Functional Constraints.

ABSTRACT: Phylogenetic trees based on multiple genomic loci enable us to estimate the evolution of functional constraints that operate on genes based on lineage-specific fluctuation of the evolutionary rate at particular gene loci, "gene-branch interactions". Using this information as predictors, our previous work inferred that the common ancestor of placental mammals was nocturnal, insectivorous, solitary, and bred seasonally. Here, we added seven new continuous traits including lifespan, bodyweight, and five reproduction-related traits and inferred the coevolution network of 14 core life history traits for 89 mammals. In this network, bodyweight and lifespan are not directly connected to each other; instead, their correlation is due to both of them coevolving with gestation period. Diurnal mammals

SUBMITTER: Wu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8157036 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature