Exposing Selection and Genetic Linkage in the Evolutionary Enigmatic Balanced Lethal System in Triturus Newts
Ecology and Evolution, vol. 15, pp. e71591
Abstract
ABSTRACT A balanced lethal system is a genetic disease that results in the loss of half of the reproductive output. The best‐known balanced lethal system is found in newts of the genus Triturus. In these newts, two different versions of chromosome 1, named 1A and 1B , do not recombine along a particular region. Only individuals with both versions are viable, whereas those that possess the same version twice die. We cross two Triturus species to generate F1 and F2 hybrid offspring. This allows us to follow 30 species‐specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from across the genome, including the non‐recombining region involved in the balanced lethal system, over three generations. We confirm that individuals carrying the same chromosome version twice die, whereas those that possess both versions survive. Recombination is observed outside, but not within, the region associated with the balanced lethal system. Our experiment provides a clear‐cut example of Mendelian inheritance with a deadly twist, well suited to teach basic principles of natural selection and genetic linkage.
Authors 8
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Willem R. M. Meilink corresponding Aachen Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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University of Belgrade · Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”
Affiliation as printed
Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
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Manon Chantal de Visser Aachen Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Blijdorp Conservation & Science Center Royal Rotterdam Zoological & Botanical Gardens Rotterdam the Netherlands
Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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James France Aachen Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Biology University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
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Anagnostis Theodoropoulos Aachen Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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Tijana Z. Vučić Aachen Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center · University of Belgrade
Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Biology University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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Ben Wielstra Aachen Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Leiden the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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