Phenotypic and genotypic parallel evolution in parapatric ecotypes ofSenecio

• DOI: 10.1101/2020.02.05.936450
• Publication Date: 2020-02-07T14:58:43Z
• Authors: Maddie E. James; Melanie J. Wilkinson; Diana M. Bernal; Huanle Liu; Henry L. North; Jan Engelstädter; Daniel Ortiz-Barr...
• Keywords: Ecotype; 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; plant architecture; Genotype; Australia; population genetics; natural selection; Original Articles; 15. Life on land; Senecio lautus; Fenotip; 03 medical and health sciences; Phenotype; Senecio; Genotip; Adaptació (Biologia); Evolució; Adaptation; replicated evolution; multivariate divergence

AbstractThe independent and repeated adaptation of populations to similar environments often results in the evolution of similar forms. This phenomenon creates a strong correlation between phenotype and environment and is referred to as parallel evolution. However, we are still largely unaware of the dynamics of parallel evolution, as well as the interplay between phenotype and genotype within natural systems. Here, we examined phenotypic and genotypic parallel evolution in multiple parapatric Dune-Headland coastal ecotypes of an Australian wildflower,Senecio lautus. We observed a clear trait-environment association within the system, with all replicate populations having evolved along the same phenotypic evolutionary trajectory. Similar phenotypes have arisen via mutational changes occurring in different genes, although many share the same biological functions. Our results shed light on how replicated adaptation manifests at the phenotypic and genotypic levels within populations, and highlightsS. lautusas one of the most striking cases of phenotypic parallel evolution in nature.