Variation in heat shock protein 40 kDa relates to divergence in thermotolerance among cryptic rotifer species.

ABSTRACT: Genetic divergence and the frequency of hybridization are central for defining species delimitations, especially among cryptic species where morphological differences are merely absent. Rotifers are known for their high cryptic diversity and therefore are ideal model organisms to investigate such patterns. Here, we used the recently resolved Brachionus calyciflorus species complex to investigate whether previously observed between species differences in thermotolerance and gene expression are also reflected in their genomic footprint. We identified a Heat Shock Protein gene (HSP 40 kDa) which exhibits cross species pronounced sequence variation. This gene exhibits species-specific fixed sites, alleles, and sites putatively under positive selection. These sites are located in protein bindin

SUBMITTER: Kiemel K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9805463 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature