Wellenreuther Maren, Svensson Erik I, Hansson Bengt
Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
Mol Ecol. 2014 Nov;23(22):5398-414. doi: 10.1111/mec.12935. Epub 2014 Oct 13.
Genetic colour polymorphisms are widespread across animals and often subjected to complex selection regimes. Traditionally, colour morphs were used as simple visual markers to measure allele frequency changes in nature, selection, population divergence and speciation. With advances in sequencing technology and analysis methods, several model systems are emerging where the molecular targets of selection are being described. Here, we discuss recent studies on the genetics of sexually selected colour polymorphisms, aiming at (i) reviewing the evidence of sexual selection on colour polymorphisms, (ii) highlighting the genetic architecture, molecular and developmental basis underlying phenotypic colour diversification and (iii) discuss how the maintenance of such polymorphisms might be facilitated or constrained by these. Studies of the genetic architecture of colour polymorphism point towards the importance of tight clustering of colour loci with other trait loci, such as in the case of inversions and supergene structures. Other interesting findings include linkage between colour loci and mate preferences or sex determination, and the role of introgression and regulatory variation in fuelling polymorphisms. We highlight that more studies are needed that explicitly integrate fitness consequences of sexual selection on colour with the underlying molecular targets of colour to gain insights into the evolutionary consequences of sexual selection on polymorphism maintenance.
遗传颜色多态性在动物界广泛存在，并且常常受到复杂的选择机制影响。传统上，颜色变体被用作简单的视觉标记，以测量自然环境中、选择作用下、种群分化和物种形成过程中等位基因频率的变化。随着测序技术和分析方法的进步，一些正在描述选择分子靶点的模型系统正在出现。在这里，我们讨论关于性选择颜色多态性遗传学的最新研究，旨在（i）回顾颜色多态性上性选择的证据，（ii）强调表型颜色多样化背后的遗传结构、分子和发育基础，以及（iii）讨论这些因素如何促进或限制此类多态性的维持。颜色多态性遗传结构的研究表明，颜色基因座与其他性状基因座紧密聚类很重要，例如在倒位和超基因结构的情况下。其他有趣的发现包括颜色基因座与配偶偏好或性别决定之间的联系，以及基因渗入和调控变异在推动多态性方面的作用。我们强调需要更多研究，明确将颜色上性选择的适应性后果与颜色潜在的分子靶点整合起来，以深入了解性选择对多态性维持的进化后果。
