Elmer Lab

Published today as free open access in Molecular Ecology :  Genomic underpinnings of head and body shape in Arctic charr ecomorph pairs Sam Fenton, Arne Jacobs, Colin Bean, Colin Adams & Kathryn Elmer The appearance of repeated phenotypes across replicates in similar environments have been described as examples of parallel evolution. However, the genomic bases of these similar phenotypes is rarely elucidated and so whether the same genomic pathways are used to achieve these similar phenotypes across replicates is rarely known. Here we used the repeated divergence of benthivorous-planktivorous ecomorph pairs of Arctic charr to investigate the genomic underpinnings of head and body shape morphology across replicates. We found that only a small number of associated SNPs for each phenotype were shared across all four ecomorph pairs we investigated with selection on associated SNPs varying considerably across replicates. Overall, these results suggest that the genomic underpinnings of t

 Just out free and open access in Molecular Ecology , a paper led by Hans and Henrique to test the genetic basis of different ventral colourations and patterns in common lizards. Using samples from the hybrid zone where we have been studying reproductive mode, Henrique studied the gene expression (Honours thesis project) and Hans the GWAS and the colour phenotyping (NERC Postdoc). Now a bunch of new candidate genes that can be followed up for reptiles! Genetic basis and expression of ventral colour in polymorphic common lizards Hans Recknagel, Henrique G. Leitão, Kathryn R. Elmer Abstract Colour is an important visual cue that can correlate with sex, behaviour, life history or ecological strategies, and has evolved divergently and convergently across animal lineages. Its genetic basis in non-model organisms is rarely known, but such information is vital for determining the drivers and mechanisms of colour evolution. Leveraging genetic admixture in a rare contact zone between oviparous