Dynamic molecular evolution of a supergene with suppressed recombination in white-throated sparrows.

ABSTRACT: In white-throated sparrows, two alternative morphs differing in plumage and behavior segregate with a large chromosomal rearrangement. As with sex chromosomes such as the mammalian Y, the rearranged version of chromosome two (ZAL2^m) is in a near-constant state of heterozygosity, offering opportunities to investigate both degenerative and selective processes during the early evolutionary stages of 'supergenes.' Here, we generated, synthesized, and analyzed extensive genome-scale data to better understand the forces shaping the evolution of the ZAL2 and ZAL2^m chromosomes in this species. We found that features of ZAL2^m are consistent with substantially reduced recombination and low levels of degeneration. We also found evidence that selective sweeps took plac

SUBMITTER: Jeong H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9427109 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature