Premium
Towards the identification of the loci of adaptive evolution
Author(s) -
PardoDiaz Carolina,
Salazar Camilo,
Jiggins Chris D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
methods in ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.425
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2041-210X
DOI - 10.1111/2041-210x.12324
Subject(s) - biology , adaptation (eye) , adaptive evolution , identification (biology) , evolutionary biology , molecular evolution , natural selection , computational biology , gene , selection (genetic algorithm) , genetics , computer science , phylogenetics , ecology , artificial intelligence , neuroscience
Summary Establishing the genetic and molecular basis underlying adaptive traits is one of the major goals of evolutionary geneticists in order to understand the connection between genotype and phenotype and elucidate the mechanisms of evolutionary change. Despite considerable effort to address this question, there remain relatively few systems in which the genes shaping adaptations have been identified. Here, we review the experimental tools that have been applied to document the molecular basis underlying evolution in several natural systems, in order to highlight their benefits, limitations and suitability. In most cases, a combination of DNA , RNA and functional methodologies with field experiments will be needed to uncover the genes and mechanisms shaping adaptation in nature.