Trajectory and genomic determinants of fungal-pathogen speciation and host adaptation
Abstract
Fossil records have provided compelling evidence for evolution, but lack of existing transitional species has hindered our understanding of speciation at the molecular level. Genomic analyses of seven Metarhizium species revealed a directional speciation continuum from specialists with narrow host ranges to transitional species and then to generalists that paralleled insect evolution. This diversification was coupled with a complex interplay between an array of genomic features that worked together to drive fungal speciation at an accelerating rate and provided a roadmap for identifying variation underlying adaptation and speciation. In particular, specialization was associated with retention of sexuality and rapid evolution of existing protein sequences whereas generalization was associated with loss of sexuality and protein-family expansion.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- November 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1412662111
- Bibcode:
- 2014PNAS..11116796H