Convergent evolution of complex genomic rearrangements in two fungal meiotic drive elements

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06562-x
• Publication Date: 2018-10-08T10:54:23Z
• Authors: Jesper Svedberg; Sara Hosseini; Jun Chen; Aaron A. Vogan; Iva Mozgova; Lars Hennig; Pennapa Manitchot...; Anna Abusharekh; Thomas M. Hammond; Martin Lascoux; Hanna Johannesson
• Keywords: Convergent evolution

Meiotic drive is widespread in nature. The conflict it generates expected to be an important motor for evolutionary change and innovation. In this study, we investigated the genomic consequences of two large multi-gene meiotic elements, Sk-2 Sk-3, found filamentous ascomycete Neurospora intermedia. Using long-read sequencing, generated first complete well-annotated genome assemblies large, highly diverged, non-recombining regions associated with elements. Phylogenetic analysis shows that, even though Sk-3 are located same chromosomal region, they do not form sister clades, suggesting independent origins or at least a long separation. We conclude that have convergent manner accumulated similar patterns tandem inversions dense repeat clusters, presumably response needs create linkage between genes causing resistance.