Geographic variation in the G matrices of wild populations of the barn swallow

Roff, Derek A.; Mousseau, Timothy A.; Møller, Anders Pape; Lope, Florentino de; Saino, Nicola

doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800404

Cited by 28 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…First, although there is an absence of genetic population structure based on neutral microsatellite markers (J. Ewen, D. Sicard, and A. P. Møller, unpubl. ms.), there is significant evidence of population differentiation in the additive genetic variancecovariance matrix (Roff et al 2004). The present study suggests that patterns of selection are consistent among years and populations facilitating differentiation among populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of Continent-Wide Patterns of Sexual Selection in a Passerine Bird

et al. 2006

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Abstract. Patterns of selection are widely believed to differ geographically, causing adaptation to local environmental conditions. However, few studies have investigated patterns of phenotypic selection across large spatial scales. We quantified the intensity of selection on morphology in a monogamous passerine bird, the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, using 6495 adults from 22 populations distributed across Europe and North Africa. According to the classical DarwinFisher mechanism of sexual selection in monogamous species, two important components of fitness due to sexual selection are the advantages that the most attractive males acquire by starting to breed early and their high annual fecundity. We estimated directional selection differentials on tail length (a secondary sexual character) and directional selection gradients after controlling for correlated selection on wing length and tarsus length with respect to these two fitness components. Phenotype and fitness components differed significantly among populations for which estimates were available for more than a single year. Likewise, selection differentials and selection gradients differed significantly among populations for tail length, but not for the other two characters. Sexual selection differentials differed significantly from zero across populations for tail length, particularly in males. Controlling statistically for the effects of age reduced the intensity of selection by 60 to 81%, although corrected and uncorrected estimates were strongly positively correlated. Selection differentials and gradients for tail length were positively correlated between the sexes among populations for selection acting on breeding date, but not for fecundity selection. The intensity of selection with respect to breeding date and fecundity were significantly correlated for tail length across populations. Sexual size dimorphism in tail length was significantly correlated with selection differentials with respect to breeding date for tail length in male barn swallows across populations. These findings suggest that patterns of sexual selection are consistent across large geographical scales, but also that they vary among populations. In addition, geographical patterns of phenotypic selection predict current patterns of phenotypic variation among populations, suggesting that consistent patterns of selection have been present for considerable amounts of time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of Continent-Wide Patterns of Sexual Selection in a Passerine Bird

et al. 2006

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“…As such, there is an extensive literature assessing the change in genetic correlations among traits (reviewed in Stearns et al 1991;Sgro & Hoffmann 2004) and assessing G-matrix stability across species, populations or habitats (e.g. Roff et al 2004). A brief general overview of the recent comparisons made in animal populations of the same species and that focused on variation in environmental conditions shows that, although a number of studies have assessed the G-matrices from different populations (e.g.…”

Section: Why Are Genetic Variances and Covariances Variable?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A brief general overview of the recent comparisons made in animal populations of the same species and that focused on variation in environmental conditions shows that, although a number of studies have assessed the G-matrices from different populations (e.g. Brodie 1993;Roff & Mousseau 1999), very few of them studied variation in free-ranging populations (but see Arnold & Phillips 1999;Roff et al 2004). Furthermore, even if a few studies found evidence for variation in G-matrices among isolated populations in the wild, no specific reference (or predictions) to variation with respect to the quality of the environment are made.…”

Section: Why Are Genetic Variances and Covariances Variable?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental quality and evolutionary potential: lessons from wild populations

2005

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An essential requirement to determine a population's potential for evolutionary change is to quantify the amount of genetic variability expressed for traits under selection. Early investigations in laboratory conditions showed that the magnitude of the genetic and environmental components of phenotypic variation can change with environmental conditions. However, there is no consensus as to how the expression of genetic variation is sensitive to different environmental conditions. Recently, the study of quantitative genetics in the wild has been revitalized by new pedigree analyses based on restricted maximum likelihood, resulting in a number of studies investigating these questions in wild populations. Experimental manipulation of environmental quality in the wild, as well as the use of naturally occurring favourable or stressful environments, has broadened the treatment of different taxa and traits. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis on recent studies comparing heritability in favourable versus unfavourable conditions in non-domestic and non-laboratory animals. The results provide evidence for increased heritability in more favourable conditions, significantly so for morphometric traits but not for traits more closely related to fitness. We discuss how these results are explained by underlying changes in variance components, and how they represent a major step in our understanding of evolutionary processes in wild populations. We also show how these trends contrast with the prevailing view resulting mainly from laboratory experiments on Drosophila. Finally, we underline the importance of taking into account the environmental variation in models predicting quantitative trait evolution.

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“…1, 2) (Lande 1979(Lande , 1980Lande and Arnold 1983;Cheverud 1984;Arnold 1994;Schluter 1996;Roff 1997Roff , 2000Hansen 2006;McGuigan 2006). Therefore, estimation of additive genetic covariances among the different traits is indispensable to make accurate predictions of their evolutionary response (Steppan et al 2002;Bégin and Roff 2003;Roff et al 2004) (Fig. 2).…”

Section: Phenotypic Evolution and Quantitative Genetics: A Brief Intrmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Thus, a geographic analysis of the G-matrix structure in invading species is essential. Moreover, since the structure of G is shaped by different evolutionary forces (natural selection, genetic drift, mutation and migration), the evaluation of its spatial pattern would provide invaluable information in understanding the role of these forces on actual populations (Steppan et al 2002;Bégin and Roff 2003;Roff et al 2004;Hansen 2006). Any study that aims to understand the evolutionary changes associated with the invasion process and (2) curved trajectories when axes are out of alignment.…”

Section: Quantitative Genetics and Biological Invasions: Geographic Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological invasions and phenotypic evolution: a quantitative genetic perspective

Bacigalupe

2008

Biol Invasions

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Among the many different components of global environmental change, biological invasions represent the one with the most long-term ecological and evolutionary consequences, as effects are irreversible. Although the ecological impact of invasive species has been under great scrutiny, its evolutionary aspects and consequences have remained less explored. Once established, an important part of the success of an invasive species will depend on the presence of genetic variation in populations at the geographic boundaries upon which natural selection can act. This information is integrated in G, the matrix of additive genetic variances and covariances for a suite of traits. The G-matrix shows the restrictions and potentialities of adaptive evolution and, together with natural selection determine the direction and rate of phenotypic evolution. Here I propose that a geographic analysis of G in populations of the introduced and native range becomes essential to understand critical evolutionary issues associated with invasion success.

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Geographic variation in the G matrices of wild populations of the barn swallow

Cited by 28 publications

References 53 publications

An Analysis of Continent-Wide Patterns of Sexual Selection in a Passerine Bird

An Analysis of Continent-Wide Patterns of Sexual Selection in a Passerine Bird

Environmental quality and evolutionary potential: lessons from wild populations

Biological invasions and phenotypic evolution: a quantitative genetic perspective

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