Parallel Signatures of Diet Adaptation in the Invasive Common Myna Genome

• DOI: 10.1111/mec.17607
• Publication Date: 2024-12-13T15:34:52Z
• Authors: Kamolphat Atsawaw...; Katarina C. Stuart; Annabel Whibley; Kyle M. Ewart; Richard E. Major; Rebecca N. Johnson; Anna W. Santure
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences

Invasive species offer uniquely replicated model systems to study rapid adaptation. The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) has been introduced over a dozen countries and is classified as one of the most invasive birds in world. Their multiple invasions provide an opportunity identify repeated adaptation, populations originated from source populations. We compared whole-genome resequencing data 80 individuals four native seven populations, representing two independent introduction pathways. Results different selection scan methods were combined identified strongly selected region on chromosome 8 that spans copies AMY2A, part alpha-amylase gene family, putative ncRNA insertion-deletion structural variant (SV) contains ERVK transposable element (TE). Outlier SNPs SV are polymorphic but fixed or close-to-fixed pathways, with fixation same alleles lineages providing evidence for parallel standing variation. Intriguingly, second copy AMY2A non-conservative missense mutation at phylogenetically conserved site. This mutation, alongside variation SV, TE ncRNA, possible routes changes protein function expression. associated human commensalism house sparrows, genes this family have linked adaptation high-starch diets humans dogs. illustrates value analyses within across understand molecular level.