控制大鳳蝶限性擬態與多態性的超基因 doublesex 的序列檢測與演化

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原文標題:Identification of doublesex alleles associated with the female-limited Batesian mimicry polymorphism in Papilio memnon (open access)


摘要

The female-limited Batesian mimicry polymorphism in Papilio butterflies is an intriguing system for investigating the mechanism of maintenance of genetic polymorphisms. In Papilio polytes, an autosomal region encompassing the sex-determinant gene doublesex controls female-limited mimicry polymorphism. In the closely related species P. memnon, which also exhibits female-limited Batesian mimicry polymorphism, we identified two allelic sequences of the doublesex gene that corresponded exactly with the mimetic and non-mimetic female phenotypes. Thus, the genetic basis of the mimicry polymorphism in P. memnon is similar to that in P. polytes. However, the mimetic and non-mimetic alleles of the two species were not identical, and the divergence of alleles occurred independently in P. memnon and P. polytes. Different mutation-selection processes may have resulted in the convergent patterns of mimicry polymorphism in these Papilio butterflies.

自從控制非洲的白鳳蝶 (Papilio dardanus) 的雌性限性擬態/多態性翅紋的基因座發現後,來到2014年,控制玉帶鳳蝶雌性限性擬態/多態性的超基因 doublesex 的序列與機制也被發掘出來 (可參考這篇文章這個新聞) 。那麼有著類似斑紋變化,同樣是經典的擬態案例的大鳳蝶呢?

同樣是京都大學的曾田貞滋教授團隊與師大生科系的林仲平教授合作的研究,在這篇文章中,他們發現控制大鳳蝶的超基因與玉帶鳳蝶相似,都位於doublesex這個基因座上,也有表現擬態的顯性 (H) 與隱性 (h)。然而,雖然大鳳蝶與玉帶鳳蝶是同一個亞屬,但兩種目的基因的序列並不相同,而且系統發生學的分析顯示兩者間的基因來源是獨立演化而來。

系統發生學分析顯示玉帶鳳蝶與大鳳蝶的親緣關係


以系統發生學的方式分析doublesex基因序列的關係,顯示大鳳蝶與玉帶鳳蝶間的基因來源是獨立演化而來

控制表型的基因在種間是獨立演化而來其實是滿普遍的現象,但為何這個研究要特地分析兩種的序列以證明其獨立演化來源呢?因為以毒蝶來說,控制斑紋的超基因是會藉由雜交而在不同族群間交換,如果把以系統發生學的方式分析毒蝶的超基因,會發現每個支系混雜不同的族群,而在這篇文章中可以發現兩者的分化顯著,顯示其推動基因演化的機制與毒蝶有所差異。


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