A recent study published in Biological Diversity reveals that ecological selection drives population differentiation and local adaptation in Capsella bursa-pastoris, a widely distributed annual herb. Genome-wide scans identified 54 candidate genes under positive selection related to energy metabolism and other processes.
A research team has identified two distinct genetic lineages corresponding to low- and high-altitude habitats in Capsella bursa-pastoris. Genome-wide scans detected 54 candidate genes under positive selection, highlighting temperature seasonality and precipitation as key drivers of adaptive divergence.
Researchers tracked genetic changes in Arabidopsis thaliana across 30 sites over five years, finding most populations adapted to local environmental conditions. However, some populations went extinct due to genetic drift, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity.
Research reveals that female fruit flies pre-select for males with superior genes before influencing sperm storage to ensure compatible fertilization. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms and consequences of mate choice, shedding light on genetic variation and species evolution.
Researchers used genetic evidence to explain how different species of capuchino seedeaters acquired distinct patterns of coloration. Soft selective sweeps were found to be the primary cause of these differences, driven by changes in environment and sexual selection.
A team of geneticists found that the R2d2 gene distorts cell division, leading to fewer offspring and violating Darwin's principle of natural selection. The discovery has implications for fields like basic biology, agriculture, and human health.
A team of geneticists identified five different alleles in the Ethiopian population that cause adult lactase production, highlighting a soft selective sweep. This phenomenon allows individuals to digest milk via different mutations, increasing their chances of survival under scarce food conditions.
A new international study found that classic selective sweeps may have played a smaller role in human evolution than thought. Researchers analyzed nearly 200 human genomes and found that smaller changes in multiple genes may have been the primary driver of human adaptation.