Mosquito genomics. Extensive introgression in a malaria vector species complex revealed by phylogenomics.

Science
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Introgressive hybridization is now recognized as a widespread phenomenon, but its role in evolution remains contested. Here, we use newly available reference genome assemblies to investigate phylogenetic relationships and introgression in a medically important group of Afrotropical mosquito sibling species. We have identified the correct species branching order to resolve a contentious phylogeny and show that lineages leading to the principal vectors of human malaria were among the first to split. Pervasive autosomal introgression between these malaria vectors means that only a small fraction of the genome, mainly on the X chromosome, has not crossed species boundaries. Our results suggest that traits enhancing vectorial capacity may be gained through interspecific gene flow, including between nonsister species.

Year of Publication
2015
Journal
Science
Volume
347
Issue
6217
Pages
1258524
Date Published
2015 Jan 02
ISSN
1095-9203
URL
DOI
10.1126/science.1258524
PubMed ID
25431491
PubMed Central ID
PMC4380269
Links
Grant list
R01AI085079 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R21 AI099528 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
G1100339 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
R01AI076584 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01AI104956 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R21 AI101459 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
HHSN272200900039C / PHS HHS / United States
T32 GM007757 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI085079 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
T32GM007757 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R21AI101459 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI063508 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
HHSN272200900039C / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI076584 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R21 AI094289 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R21AI094289 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R21AI099528 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI104956 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States