Evolution of dominance mechanisms at a butterfly mimicry supergene

Yann Le Poul (), Annabel Whibley, Mathieu Chouteau, Florence Prunier, Violaine Llaurens and Mathieu Joron
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Yann Le Poul: CNRS UMR 7205, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Annabel Whibley: CNRS UMR 7205, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Mathieu Chouteau: CNRS UMR 7205, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Florence Prunier: CNRS UMR 7205, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Violaine Llaurens: CNRS UMR 7205, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Mathieu Joron: CNRS UMR 7205, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Genetic dominance in polymorphic loci may respond to selection; however, the evolution of dominance in complex traits remains a puzzle. We analyse dominance at a wing-patterning supergene controlling local mimicry polymorphism in the butterfly Heliconius numata. Supergene alleles are associated with chromosomal inversion polymorphism, defining ancestral versus derived alleles. Using controlled crosses and the new procedure, Colour Pattern Modelling, allowing whole-wing pattern comparisons, we estimate dominance coefficients between alleles. Here we show strict dominance in sympatry favouring mimicry and inconsistent dominance throughout the wing between alleles from distant populations. Furthermore, dominance among derived alleles is uncoordinated across wing-pattern elements, producing mosaic heterozygous patterns determined by a hierarchy in colour expression. By contrast, heterozygotes with an ancestral allele show complete, coordinated dominance of the derived allele, independently of colours. Therefore, distinct dominance mechanisms have evolved in association with supergene inversions, in response to strong selection on mimicry polymorphism.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6644

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