Genomic Signature of Complex Morphological Traits
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
Mimetic butterflies are an intriguing study object for evolutionary biology, because unrelated lineages have acquired very similar appearances to match their chemically defended models. The Mocker Swallowtail Papilio dardanus, a large butterfly widely distributed in subsaharan Africa, is a particularly striking example, because it expresses different morphological forms that each mimic a different model. From breeding studies it is well known that a single genetic locus controls the expression of different morphs. Here we aim to understand how this control functions on a molecular level, following up on older proposals that the complexity of diversity is likely to be controlled by equally complex genetic mechanisms, sometimes labelled as 'supergenes'. Starting with a 'candidate gene' that we recently discovered (coding for the transcription factor invected), we can now test the variation on the molecular level and its association with a diversity of mimetic colour morphs. DNA sequencing will reveal differences at single nucleotides (so-called SNPs) over a large region (some 200,000 base pairs), expected to differ in hundreds, if not thousands, of nucleotides in a morphologically variable population of P. dardanus. This will be the currency of various tests for sites under positive selection (as opposed to 'neutral' changes) presumably controlling the adaptively favourable phenotypes. Equally, 'hitch-hiking' of neutral sites with these functional sites under selection will affect larger portions of the genome, leaving a unique signature of selection. Identifying these functional sites will not only reveal the mechanism of how a gene can regulate the morphological variation, but also establishes the architecture of a complex locus on a molecular level, testing intriguing hypotheses from classical genetics. In addition, the method will demonstrate a more widely applicable approach on how to associate differences between living organisms and the genes producing these differences that are equally applicable to, for example, human disease genes showing advantageous variants in a population.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Alfried Vogler (Principal Investigator) | |
Austin Burt (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Clark R
(2009)
A phylogenetic framework for wing pattern evolution in the mimetic Mocker Swallowtail Papilio dardanus.
in Molecular ecology
Thompson Martin J.
(2011)
HYBRID ORIGINS: DNA TECHNIQUES CONFIRM THAT
PAPILIO NANDINA IS A SPECIES HYBRID (PAPILIONIDAE)
in JOURNAL OF THE LEPIDOPTERISTS SOCIETY
Thompson MJ
(2014)
The evolutionary genetics of highly divergent alleles of the mimicry locus in Papilio dardanus.
in BMC evolutionary biology
Timmermans MJ
(2017)
Independent evolution of sexual dimorphism and female-limited mimicry in swallowtail butterflies (Papilio dardanus and Papilio phorcas).
in Molecular ecology
Timmermans MJ
(2010)
Why barcode? High-throughput multiplex sequencing of mitochondrial genomes for molecular systematics.
in Nucleic acids research
Timmermans MJ
(2012)
Phylogenetically informative rearrangements in mitochondrial genomes of Coleoptera, and monophyly of aquatic elateriform beetles (Dryopoidea).
in Molecular phylogenetics and evolution
Timmermans MJ
(2014)
Comparative genomics of the mimicry switch in Papilio dardanus.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Timmermans MJTN
(2020)
Mimicry diversification in Papilio dardanus via a genomic inversion in the regulatory region of engrailed-invected.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Description | The genes involved in the colour polymorphism of Papilio dardanus have been mapped and the function of the 'morph switch' has been elucidated. |
Exploitation Route | The genomic signature of selection due to environmental pressure on the mimicry phenotype from predators might be a useful system for the study of loci under pressure from parasites and pathogens in humans. |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | Science Uncovered - Natural History Museum (September 2013) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Science Uncovered is a widely-advertised and well-attended public outreach event hosted at the Natural History Museum in London, where scientist engage with the public face-to-face basis to discuss their research and its implications in an informal setting. I represented Imperial College London, accompanied by two PhD students, and discussed my group's work, which included the current grant, under the general theme of ecological responses and alterations to energy flux in food webs due to environmental stressors. At our stall we spoke to several hundred visitors throughout the day. See description above. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |