Ancient homology underlies adaptive mimetic diversity across butterflies

Jason R. Gallant, Vance E. Imhoff, Arnaud Martin, Wesley K. Savage, Nicola L. Chamberlain, Ben L. Pote, Chelsea Peterson, Gabriella E. Smith, Benjamin Evans, Robert D. Reed, Marcus R. Kronforst and Sean P. Mullen ()
Additional contact information
Jason R. Gallant: Michigan State University
Vance E. Imhoff: Boston University
Arnaud Martin: Cornell University
Wesley K. Savage: Boston University
Nicola L. Chamberlain: Boston University
Ben L. Pote: Boston University
Chelsea Peterson: Boston University
Gabriella E. Smith: Boston University
Benjamin Evans: Yale University
Robert D. Reed: Cornell University
Marcus R. Kronforst: University of Chicago
Sean P. Mullen: Boston University

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Convergent evolution provides a rare, natural experiment with which to test the predictability of adaptation at the molecular level. Little is known about the molecular basis of convergence over macro-evolutionary timescales. Here we use a combination of positional cloning, population genomic resequencing, association mapping and developmental data to demonstrate that positionally orthologous nucleotide variants in the upstream region of the same gene, WntA, are responsible for parallel mimetic variation in two butterfly lineages that diverged >65 million years ago. Furthermore, characterization of spatial patterns of WntA expression during development suggests that alternative regulatory mechanisms underlie wing pattern variation in each system. Taken together, our results reveal a strikingly predictable molecular basis for phenotypic convergence over deep evolutionary time.

Date: 2014
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5817

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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5817

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