Theory predicts that gene flow will decrease phenotypic differences among populations. Correlational studies have in some cases documented constraining effects of gene flow on phenotypic divergence and/or have also provided evidence for local differentiation despite high gene flow. However, correlative studies are unable to evaluate how gene flow affects genetically based phenotypic divergence or the extent to which gene flow constrains adaptive divergence. Translocation experiments using Trinidadian guppies provided an opportunity to test the effects of new gene flow on quantitative traits in native recipient populations. We measured a suite of traits in guppies reared in common garden environments before and multiple generations following gene flow from guppies that originated from a different environment. We interpreted our results in light of a priori predictions based on evolutionary theory and extensive background information about guppies and our focal populations. Although we could not include a spatiotemporal control that would allow us to be certain that the observed changes were directly caused by gene flow, we found that post-gene flow populations showed genetically based shifts in most traits. Whether traits shifted in predicted adaptive directions or whether they became more or less similar to the source population depended on the trait and initial conditions of the population. Our study provided a rare opportunity to test how recent gene flow affects genetically based changes in traits with known adaptive significance, and our results attest to the complex interactions between gene flow and selection.
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Symposium Proceedings: Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics in Cold Blood|
September 01 2017
Gene Flow Constrains and Facilitates Genetically Based Divergence in Quantitative Traits
Sarah W. Fitzpatrick;
Sarah W. Fitzpatrick
1W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, 3700 E. Gull Lake Drive, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49083; Email: sfitz@msu.edu. Send reprint requests to this address.
2Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
3Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
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Corey A. Handelsman;
Corey A. Handelsman
4Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
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Julian Torres-Dowdall;
Julian Torres-Dowdall
5Lehrstuhl für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
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Emily W. Ruell;
Emily W. Ruell
4Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
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E. Dale Broder;
E. Dale Broder
6Interdisciplinary Research Incubator for the Study of (in)Equality, University of Denver, 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80208.
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John A. Kronenberger;
John A. Kronenberger
4Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
7Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
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David N. Reznick;
David N. Reznick
8Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521.
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Cameron K. Ghalambor;
Cameron K. Ghalambor
4Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
7Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
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Lisa M. Angeloni;
Lisa M. Angeloni
4Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
7Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
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W. Chris Funk
W. Chris Funk
4Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
7Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
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Copeia (2017) 105 (3): 462–474.
Citation
Sarah W. Fitzpatrick, Corey A. Handelsman, Julian Torres-Dowdall, Emily W. Ruell, E. Dale Broder, John A. Kronenberger, David N. Reznick, Cameron K. Ghalambor, Lisa M. Angeloni, W. Chris Funk; Gene Flow Constrains and Facilitates Genetically Based Divergence in Quantitative Traits. Copeia 1 September 2017; 105 (3): 462–474. doi: https://doi.org/10.1643/CI-16-559
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