Rates of karyotype evolution in placental mammals

DNA Damage, Genome Stability, and Adaptation: A Question of Chance or Necessity?

DNA damage causes the mutations that are the principal source of genetic variation. DNA damage detection and repair mechanisms therefore play a determining role in generating the genetic diversity on which natural selection acts. Speciation, it is commonly assumed, occurs at a rate set by the level of standing allelic diversity in a population. The process of speciation is driven by a combination of two evolutionary forces: genetic drift and ecological selection. Genetic drift takes place under the conditions of relaxed selection, and results in a balance between the rates of mutation and the rates of genetic substitution. These two processes, drift and selection, are necessarily mediated by a variety of mechanisms guaranteeing genome stability in any given species. One of the outstanding questions in evolutionary biology concerns the origin of the widely varying phylogenetic distribution of biodiversity across the Tree of Life and how the forces of drift and selection contribute to shaping that distribution. The following examines some of the molecular mechanisms underlying genome stability and the adaptive radiations that are associated with biodiversity and the widely varying species richness and evenness in the different eukaryotic lineages.

Drift drives the evolution of chromosome number I: The impact of trait transitions on genome evolution in Coleoptera

Chromosomal mutations such as fusions and fissions are often thought to be deleterious, especially in heterozygotes (underdominant), and consequently are unlikely to become fixed. Yet, many models of chromosomal speciation ascribe an important role to chromosomal mutations. When the effective population size (Ne) is small, the efficacy of selection is weakened, and the likelihood of fixing underdominant mutations by genetic drift is greater. Thus, it is possible that ecological and phenotypic transitions that modulate Ne facilitate the fixation of chromosome changes, increasing the rate of karyotype evolution. We synthesize all available chromosome number data in Coleoptera and estimate the impact of traits expected to change Ne on the rate of karyotype evolution in the family Carabidae and 12 disparate clades from across Coleoptera. Our analysis indicates that in Carabidae, wingless clades have faster rates of chromosome number increase. Additionally, our analysis indicates clades exhibiting multiple traits expected to reduce Ne, including strict inbreeding, oligophagy, winglessness, and island endemism, have high rates of karyotype evolution. Our results suggest that chromosome number changes are likely fixed by genetic drift despite an initial fitness cost and that chromosomal speciation models may be important to consider in clades with very small Ne.

Kimura's Theory of Non-Adaptive Radiation and Peto's Paradox: A Missing Link?

Karyotype diversity reflects genome integrity and stability. A strong correlation between karyotype diversity and species richness, meaning the number of species in a phylogenetic clade, was first reported in mammals over forty years ago: in mammalian phylogenetic clades, the standard deviation of karyotype diversity (KD) closely corresponded to species richness (SR) at the order level. These initial studies, however, did not control for phylogenetic signal, raising the possibility that the correlation was due to phylogenetic relatedness among species in a clade. Accordingly, karyotype diversity trivially reflects species richness simply as a passive consequence of adaptive radiation. A more recent study in mammals controlled for phylogenetic signals and established the correlation as phylogenetically independent, suggesting that species richness cannot, in itself, explain the observed corresponding karyotype diversity. The correlation is, therefore, remarkable because the molecular mechanisms contributing to karyotype diversity are evolutionarily independent of the ecological mechanisms contributing to species richness. Recently, it was shown in salamanders that the two processes generating genome size diversity and species richness were indeed independent and operate in parallel, suggesting a potential non-adaptive, non-causal but biologically meaningful relationship. KD depends on mutational input generating genetic diversity and reflects genome stability, whereas species richness depends on ecological factors and reflects natural selection acting on phenotypic diversity. As mutation and selection operate independently and involve separate and unrelated evolutionary mechanisms-there is no reason a priori to expect such a strong, let alone any, correlation between KD and SR. That such a correlation exists is more consistent with Kimura's theory of non-adaptive radiation than with ecologically based adaptive theories of macro-evolution, which are not excluded in Kimura's non-adaptive theory. The following reviews recent evidence in support of Kimura's proposal, and other findings that contribute to a wider understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of non-adaptive radiation.

Chromosome number evolves at equal rates in holocentric and monocentric clades

Despite the fundamental role of centromeres two different types are observed across plants and animals. Monocentric chromosomes possess a single region that function as the centromere while in holocentric chromosomes centromere activity is spread across the entire chromosome. Proper segregation may fail in species with monocentric chromosomes after a fusion or fission, which may lead to chromosomes with no centromere or multiple centromeres. In contrast, species with holocentric chromosomes should still be able to safely segregate chromosomes after fusion or fission. This along with the observation of high chromosome number in some holocentric clades has led to the hypothesis that holocentricity leads to higher rates of chromosome number evolution. To test for differences in rates of chromosome number evolution between these systems, we analyzed data from 4,393 species of insects in a phylogenetic framework. We found that insect orders exhibit striking differences in rates of fissions, fusions, and polyploidy. However, across all insects we found no evidence that holocentric clades have higher rates of fissions, fusions, or polyploidy than monocentric clades. Our results suggest that holocentricity alone does not lead to higher rates of chromosome number changes. Instead, we suggest that other co-evolving traits must explain striking differences between clades.

Meiotic drive shapes rates of karyotype evolution in mammals

Chromosome number is perhaps the most basic characteristic of a genome, yet generalizations that can explain the evolution of this trait across large clades have remained elusive. Using karyotype data from over 1000 mammals, we developed and applied a phylogenetic model of chromosome evolution that links chromosome number changes with karyotype morphology. Using our model, we infer that rates of chromosome number evolution are significantly lower in species with karyotypes that consist of either all bibrachial or all monobrachial chromosomes than in species with a mix of both types of morphologies. We suggest that species with homogeneous karyotypes may represent cases where meiotic drive acts to stabilize the karyotype, favoring the chromosome morphologies already present in the genome. In contrast, rapid bouts of chromosome number evolution in taxa with mixed karyotypes may indicate that a switch in the polarity of female meiotic drive favors changes in chromosome number. We do not find any evidence that karyotype morphology affects rates of speciation or extinction. Furthermore, we document that switches in meiotic drive polarity are likely common and have occurred in most major clades of mammals, and that rapid remodeling of karyotypes may be more common than once thought.

RATES OF EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE IN CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN SNAILS AND VERTEBRATES

Mollusks and most non-mammalian vertebrates have been characterized as evolving an order of magnitude more slowly in morphology and karyotype compared with most groups of placental mammals. New calculations of the previously used measures of chromosomal rates of evolution for different groups of gastropods, using a larger and taxonomically broader sample, indicate that these rates had been previously underestimated, although they are still lower than those of the most rapidly evolving placental groups. When genera of approximately the same geological age are compared, little difference (less than an order of magnitude) in fossil-based measures of average rate of karyotypic evolution are found among placental mammals, frogs, lizards, and snails. Variation in rates within major groups obtained from the limited available data does not allow clear generalizations on among-group differences in chromosomal rates of evolution.

Genetic and morphological variability in South American rodent Oecomys (Sigmodontinae, Rodentia): evidence for a complex of species

The rodent genus Oecomys (Sigmodontinae) comprises ~16 species that inhabit tropical and subtropical forests in Central America and South America. In this study specimens of Oecomys paricola Thomas, 1904 from Belém and Marajó island, northern Brazil, were investigated using cytogenetic, molecular and morphological analyses. Three karyotypes were found, two from Belém (2n = 68, fundamental number (FN) = 72 and 2n = 70, FN = 76) and a third from Marajó island (2n = 70, FN = 72). No molecular or morphological differences were found between the individuals with differing cytotypes from Belém, but differences were evident between the individuals from Belém and Marajó island. Specimens from Belém city region may represent two cryptic species because two different karyotypes are present in the absence of significant differences in morphology and molecular characteristics. The Marajó island and Belém populations may represent distinct species that have been separated for some time, and are in the process of morphological and molecular differentiation as a consequence of reproductive isolation at the geographic and chromosomal levels. Thus, the results suggest that O. paricola may be a complex of species.

Do time, heterochromatin, NORs, or chromosomal rearrangements correlate with distribution of interstitial telomeric repeats in Sigmodon (cotton rats)?

We studied the chromosomal distribution of telomere repeats (TTAGGG)(n) in 8 species of Sigmodon (cotton rats) using chromosome paints fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) from Sigmodon hispidus. In 2 species with the proposed primitive karyotype for the genus, telomere repeats were restricted to telomeric sites. But in the other 6 species that include 3 with proposed primitive karyotypes and 3 with highly rearranged karyotypes, telomere repeats were found on both telomeric sites and within interstitial telomeric sites (ITSs). To explain the distribution of ITS in Sigmodon, we gather data from C-bands, silver nitrate staining, G-bands, and chromosomal paint data from previous published studies. We did find some correlation with ITS and heterochromatin, euchromatic chromosomal rearrangements, and nucleolar organizing regions. No one type of chromosomal structure explains all ITS in Sigmodon. Multiple explanations and mechanisms for movement of intragenomic sequences are required to explain ITS in this genus. We rejected the hypothesis that age of a lineage correlates with the presence of ITS using divergence time estimate analyses. This multigene phylogeny places species with ITS (S. arizonae, S. fulviventer, S. hispidus, S. mascotensis, S. ochrognathus, and S. toltecus) in the clade with a species without ITS (S. hirsutus). Lineages with ITS (S. arizonae and S. mascotensis) arose independently from a lineage absent of ITS (S. hirsutus) around 0.67 to 0.83 Ma. The rearranged karyotypes of S. mascotensis and S. arizonae appear to be an independently derived autapomorphic characters, supporting a fast rate of chromosomal changes that vary among species.

Preferential segregation of metacentric chromosomes in simple Robertsonian heterozygotes of Sorex araneus

One of the hypotheses explaining preferential transmission of metacentrics among simple Robertsonian (Rb) heterozygotes of the common shrew (Sorex araneus L.) invokes the existence of meiotic drive. Thus far, evidence that metacentrics are favoured at meiosis has been obtained indirectly, on the basis of crosses made under controlled conditions. The aim of the present work was to test the hypothesis in a direct study. We analysed products of chromosome segregation among 12 simple heterozygote male subjects from a wild population, with regard to jl, io, nr and mn Rb fusions. We were able to demonstrate significant segregation distortion in favour of all four metacentrics. The level of preferential segregation was independent either of the composition of chromosome arms or the dimensions of metacentrics. We also found that X chromosomes were favoured over Y1Y2 chromosomes during segregation. We discuss the role of meiotic drive in the evolutionary success of metacentric chromosomes in S. araneus, as well as in the emergence of post-hybridization modifications in the zones of contact between races.

Chromosome inversions, local adaptation and speciation

We study the evolution of inversions that capture locally adapted alleles when two populations are exchanging migrants or hybridizing. By suppressing recombination between the loci, a new inversion can spread. Neither drift nor coadaptation between the alleles (epistasis) is needed, so this local adaptation mechanism may apply to a broader range of genetic and demographic situations than alternative hypotheses that have been widely discussed. The mechanism can explain many features observed in inversion systems. It will drive an inversion to high frequency if there is no countervailing force, which could explain fixed differences observed between populations and species. An inversion can be stabilized at an intermediate frequency if it also happens to capture one or more deleterious recessive mutations, which could explain polymorphisms that are common in some species. This polymorphism can cycle in frequency with the changing selective advantage of the locally favored alleles. The mechanism can establish underdominant inversions that decrease heterokaryotype fitness by several percent if the cause of fitness loss is structural, while if the cause is genic there is no limit to the strength of underdominance that can result. The mechanism is expected to cause loci responsible for adaptive species-specific differences to map to inversions, as seen in recent QTL studies. We discuss data that support the hypothesis, review other mechanisms for inversion evolution, and suggest possible tests.

Chromosomal heterozygosity and fertility in house mice (Mus musculus domesticus) from Northern Italy

Following the discovery of over 40 Robertsonian (Rb) races of Mus musculus domesticus in Europe and North Africa, the house mouse has been studied extensively as an ideal model to determine the chromosomal changes that may cause or accompany speciation. Current models of chromosomal speciation are based on the assumption that heterozygous individuals have a particularly low fertility, although recent studies indicate otherwise. Despite their importance, fertility estimates for the house mouse are incomplete because traditional measurements, such as anaphase I nondisjunction and germ cell death, are rarely estimated in conjunction with litter size. In an attempt to bridge this gap, we have taken advantage of the house mouse hybrid zone in Upper Valtellina (Lombardy, Italy) in which five Rb races interbreed. We present data on the fertility of naturally occurring ("wild-caught") hybrids and of offspring from laboratory crosses of wild-caught mice ("laboratory-reared"), using various measurements. Wild-caught mice heterozygous for one fusion were more infertile than predicted from past studies, possibly due to genic hybridity; laboratory-reared heterozygotes carrying seven or eight trivalents at meiosis I and heterozygotes carrying one pentavalent also had low fertilities. These low fertilities are especially significant given the probable occurrence of a reinforcement event in Upper Valtellina.

Models of the evolution of some genetic systems

This paper reviews models of two aspects of genome evolution. The first is the problem of the conditions for establishment of chromosome rearrangements, as a result of their suppression of recombination between polymorphic genes that interact in their effects on fitness. The second is the spread of genomic elements either by their differential contributions to gametes, or by their ability to replicate and transpose themselves to new sites within the genome.

Chromosomal speciation and adaptive radiation of mole rats in Asia Minor correlated with increased ecological stress

The evolutionary forces causing chromosomal speciation and adaptation are still enigmatic. Here we tested the Israel evolutionary model of positive association of diploid chromosome number (2n) and genetic diversity with aridity stress in subterranean mole rats, on a 30-times-larger scale in Asia Minor. We analyzed both karyotype and allozyme diversity across Turkey, based on 37 allozymic loci in 20 localities of the Spalax leucodon and 4 localities of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies. We found extensive chromosomal speciation in S. leucodon (2n = 38, 40, 50, 54, 60, and 62) and in S. ehrenbergi (2n = 52, 56, and 58), presumably representing from 14 to > 20 additional biological species. Genetic diversity indices were low, but, like the chromosome number (2n), positively correlated with aridity stress, increasing centripetally from the periphery toward geologically young, arid, and climatically unpredictable central Anatolia. Nei's genetic distance D across all populations averaged 0.174 (range 0.002-0.422), supporting, combined with 2n and ecogeography, the biological species status of most tested populations. Chromosome evolution is the basis of speciation and adaptation in Spalax; it provides both postmating reproductive isolation, as well as higher levels of recombination with increased 2n. A mathematical model shows that a Robertsonian fission of a single metacentric considerably increases haplotype diversity. This haplotype diversity may contribute to population adaptation to climatic stress and ecological unpredictability in space and time. The increase in diversity corroborates the nichewidth genetic-variation hypothesis.

Evidence for eight tandem and five centric fusions in the evolution of the karyotype of Aethomys namaquensis A. Smith (Rodentia: Muridae)

G- and C-banded chromosomes of Aethomys namaquensis (2n = 24), A. chrysophilus (2n = 44), and Praomys coucha (2n = 36) are compared and contrasted with published material on Australian Muridae and North American Sigmodontidae. Direction and types of chromosomal rearrangements are established using cladistic methodology. An acrocentric morphology for chromosomes 5, 14, 15 and 20 (numbering system from Peromyscus) are proposed as primitive for the common ancestor of the Muridae and Sigmodontidae rodent lineages. Reduced diploid number of Aethomys namaquensis is derived by eight tandem and five centric fusions since divergence from the common ancestor with A. chrysophilus. The two species of Aethomys share one derived metacentric chromosome that distinguishes them from Praomys. Praomys has unique chromosomes which can be derived from the proposed primitive condition by five centric fusions and five pericentric inversions. It is concluded that karyotypic orthoselection for tandem and centric fusions is best explained by cellular or biochemical mechanisms rather than variation in population characteristics.

Chromosomal rearrangements, speciation and the theoretical approach

Many theoretical papers investigating the relationship between chromosomal change and speciation are found to have been based on erroneous data. For rather than considering those negatively heterotic, or at least potentially negatively heterotic rearrangements which can have a possible role in speciation, these papers have included substantial amounts of information on rearrangements which are not implicated in this process. Common forms of chromosomal repatterning such as heterochromatic addition and polymorphism are in this category. Their inclusion in theoretical studies, often cited as supporting or opposing a chromosomal involvement in speciation, invalidates these findings. A new approach is suggested.

Evolutionary relationships of the Chinese hamster X chromosome and autosomes: a comparison using solution hybridization techniques

The evolutionary relationships of Chinese hamster X chromosome and autosome DNA sequences were compared by solution hybridization techniques. Chinese hamster X chromosome tracer was prepared by radiolabeling DNA from chromosomes isolated by fluorescence-activated sorting. Radiolabeled Chinese hamster total genomic DNA, approximately 90% of which is of autosome origin, was used as autosome tracer. Each tracer was mixed with excess driver DNA of Chinese hamster, Syrian hamster, rat, rabbit, cat, cow, or human origin. Reaction mixtures were melted and allowed to reassociate to an equivalent CoT of 12,000, under conditions which permitted 35% mismatch in DNA duplexes. Both the extent of duplex formation (the normalized percentage hybridization or NPH) and the average thermal stability of the duplexes formed (melting temperature or Tm) were measured; these values were used to compare the evolutionary relatedness of tracer and driver DNAs. The pattern of evolutionary relatedness revealed by comparing either the Tm or NPH values obtained with different drivers was the same for X chromosome and autosome DNA and was consistent with the phylogeny of the species examined. Although NPH and Tm values for X chromosome and autosome tracers differed, differences fell within the range of experimental error. The results of these studies provide no evidence for differential conservation of Chinese hamster X chromosome sequences, suggesting that the constraints on the mammalian X chromosome which act to maintain its gene linkage group intact do not markedly reduce the extent to which its sequences diverge during evolution.

Reduction of neutral gene flow due to the partial sterility of heterozygotes for a linked chromosome mutation

The effect of linkage between a chromosome mutation producing partially sterile heterozygotes and a neutral locus in reducing the gene flow at the neutral locus is studied using a two-population deterministic model. Chromosome mutations are more efficient in reducing gene flow with low migration rates than with high ones. The interaction between high values of partial heterozygote sterility and low recombination rates can produce, in the low migration pattern, a drastic reduction of gene flow. Nevertheless, since only chromosome mutations with low values of partial heterozygote sterility are likely to be involved in chromosomal speciation, a significant reduction of gene flow will probably occur only for a very limited part of the genome. Therefore, a single chromosome mutation is unlikely to play a primary role in speciation.

Lengths of chromosomal segments conserved since divergence of man and mouse

Linkage relationships of homologous loci in man and mouse were used to estimate the mean length of autosomal segments conserved during evolution. Comparison of the locations of greater than 83 homologous loci revealed 13 conserved segments. Map distances between the outermost markers of these 13 segments are known for the mouse and range from 1 to 24 centimorgans. Methods were developed for using this sample of conserved segments to estimate the mean length of all conserved autosomal segments in the genome. This mean length was estimated to be 8.1 +/- 1.6 centimorgans. Evidence is presented suggesting that chromosomal rearrangements that determine the lengths of these segments are randomly distributed within the genome. The estimated mean length of conserved segments was used to predict the probability that certain loci, such as peptidase-3 and renin, are linked in man given that homologous loci are chi centimorgans apart in the mouse. The mean length of conserved segments was also used to estimate the number of chromosomal rearrangements that have disrupted linkage since divergence of man and mouse. This estimate was shown to be 178 +/- 39 rearrangements.