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Mechanisms of adaptation and speciation
Variation in fitness-related genes provides the raw material for adaptation. Traits like behaviour, morphology and physiology are controlled by the action of many interacting genes. Genetic changes in only a few genes may have a large effect on the organism’s fitness.
Furthermore, novel adaptations do not only occur by mutations within individual genes, but also by gene duplications and deletions, chromosome rearrangement, lateral gene transfer as well as hybridization. Studies have also shown that many genes controlling the expression of phenotypic traits are pleiotropic, (i.e. multifunctional) and operate within complex molecular networks and pathways. Molecular networks have a modular structure. Different genes and proteins are characterized by varying numbers of interactions; a small number have extensive interactions, while the majority has very few. A perturbation in a single gene can move to another overlapping module and affect related phenotypes.
In evolutionary ecology, suites of correlated traits, such as migration or mating behaviour, are commonly referred to as “adaptive syndromes” and genomic tools are indispensable for studies of such complex character suites.
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Webmaster: Michael Sellers
Publisher: Department of Ecology
Last modified 29 Sep 2009
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