The determinants of the molecular substitution process in turtles

• DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12031
• Publication Date: 2012-11-23T17:52:18Z
• Authors: J. M. LourençO; S. Glémin; Y. Chiari; N. Galtier
• Keywords: Ectotherm; Molecular evolution

Abstract Neutral rates of molecular evolution vary across species, and this variation has been shown to be related biological traits. One the first patterns observed in vertebrates an inverse relationship between body mass (BM) substitution rates. The effects three major life‐history traits (LHT) that covary with BM – metabolic rate, generation time longevity (LON) have invoked explain relationship. However, most theoretical empirical evidence supporting comes from endothermic vertebrates, is, mammals birds, which environmental conditions, especially temperature, do not a direct impact on cellular biology. We analysed variations mitochondrial nuclear synonymous 224 turtle species examined their correlation two LHT (LON BM) variables [latitude (LAT) habitat]. Our analyses indicate turtles, neutral are hardly correlated LON or BM. Rather, both significantly LAT faster tropics so for aquatic species. These results question generality relationships reported birds suggest factors might strongest determinants mutation rate ectotherms.