Repeated evolution of self-compatibility for reproductive assurance

Nieuwenhuis, Bart, Tusso, Sergio, Bjerling, Pernilla, Stångberg, Josefine, Wolf, Jochen and Immler, Simone (2018) Repeated evolution of self-compatibility for reproductive assurance. Nature Communications, 9. ISSN 2041-1723

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Abstract

Sexual reproduction in eukaryotes requires the fusion of two compatible gametes of opposite sexes or mating types. To meet the challenge of finding a mating partner with compatible gametes evolutionary mechanisms such as hermaphroditism and self-fertilisation have repeatedly evolved. Combining insight from comparative genomics, computer simulations and experimental evolution in fission yeast, we shed light on the conditions promoting separate mating types or self-compatibility by mating-type switching. Analogous to multiple independent transitions between switchers and non-switchers in natural populations mediated by structural genomic changes, novel switching genotypes were readily evolving under selection in experimental populations. Detailed fitness measurements accompanied by computer simulations show the benefits and costs of switching during sexual and asexual reproduction governing the occurrence of both strategies in nature. Our findings illuminate the trade-off between the benefits of reproductive assurance and its fitness costs under benign conditions governing the evolution of self-compatibility.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	baker’s law,self-compatibility,outcrossing,experimental evolution,sex,fission yeast
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	19 Apr 2018 10:36
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2024 23:46
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/66808
DOI:	10.1038/s41467-018-04054-6

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