A1 Journal article (refereed)
Divergence and introgression among the virilis group of Drosophila (2022)

Yusuf, L. H., Tyukmaeva, V., Hoikkala, A., & Ritchie, M. G. (2022). Divergence and introgression among the virilis group of Drosophila. Evolution Letters, 6(6), 537-551. https://doi.org/10.1002/evl3.301

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Yusuf, Leeban H.; Tyukmaeva, Venera; Hoikkala, Anneli; Ritchie, Michael G.

Journal or series: Evolution Letters

ISSN: 2056-3744

eISSN: 2056-3744

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 28/11/2022

Volume: 6

Issue number: 6

Pages range: 537-551

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/evl3.301

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84174

Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.11.475832v1.full

Abstract

Speciation with gene flow is now widely regarded as common. However, the frequency of introgression between recently diverged species and the evolutionary consequences of gene flow are still poorly understood. The virilis group of Drosophila contains 12 species that are geographically widespread and show varying levels of prezygotic and postzygotic isolation. Here, we use de novo genome assemblies and whole-genome sequencing data to resolve phylogenetic relationships and describe patterns of introgression and divergence across the group. We suggest that the virilis group consists of three, rather than the traditional two, subgroups. Some genes undergoing rapid sequence divergence across the group were involved in chemical communication and desiccation tolerance, and may be related to the evolution of sexual isolation and adaptation. We found evidence of pervasive phylogenetic discordance caused by ancient introgression events between distant lineages within the group, and more recent gene flow between closely related species. When assessing patterns of genome-wide divergence in species pairs across the group, we found no consistent genomic evidence of a disproportionate role for the X chromosome as has been found in other systems. Our results show how ancient and recent introgressions confuse phylogenetic reconstruction, but may play an important role during early radiation of a group.

Keywords: deviance; gene technology; speciation

Free keywords: divergence; gene flow; introgression; phylogenomics; reproductive isolation; speciation

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1