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Genetic diversity and evolution in eukaryotic phytoplankton: revelations from population genetic studies

Genetic diversity and evolution in eukaryotic phytoplankton: revelations from population genetic... AbstractEukaryotic phytoplankton exhibit an enormous species richness, displaying a range of phylogenetic, morphological and physiological diversity. Yet, until recently, very little was known about the diversity, genetic variation and evolutionary processes within species and populations. An approach to explore this diversity and to understand evolution of phytoplankton is to use population genetics as a conceptual framework and methodology. Here, we discuss the patterns, processes and questions that population genetic studies have revealed in eukaryotic phytoplankton. First, we describe the main biological processes generating genetic variation. We specifically discuss the importance of life-cycle complexity for genetic and phenotypic diversity and consider how such diversity can be maintained during blooms when rapid asexual proliferation dominates. Next, we explore how genetic diversity is partitioned over time and space, with a focus on the processes shaping this structure, in particular selection and genetic exchange. Our aim is also to show how population genetics can be used to make inferences about realized dispersal and sexual recombination, as these processes are so difficult to study directly. Finally, we highlight important open questions and suggest promising avenues for future studies that will be made possible by new sequencing technologies. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Plankton Research Oxford University Press

Genetic diversity and evolution in eukaryotic phytoplankton: revelations from population genetic studies

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References (149)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com
ISSN
0142-7873
eISSN
1464-3774
DOI
10.1093/plankt/fbw098
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AbstractEukaryotic phytoplankton exhibit an enormous species richness, displaying a range of phylogenetic, morphological and physiological diversity. Yet, until recently, very little was known about the diversity, genetic variation and evolutionary processes within species and populations. An approach to explore this diversity and to understand evolution of phytoplankton is to use population genetics as a conceptual framework and methodology. Here, we discuss the patterns, processes and questions that population genetic studies have revealed in eukaryotic phytoplankton. First, we describe the main biological processes generating genetic variation. We specifically discuss the importance of life-cycle complexity for genetic and phenotypic diversity and consider how such diversity can be maintained during blooms when rapid asexual proliferation dominates. Next, we explore how genetic diversity is partitioned over time and space, with a focus on the processes shaping this structure, in particular selection and genetic exchange. Our aim is also to show how population genetics can be used to make inferences about realized dispersal and sexual recombination, as these processes are so difficult to study directly. Finally, we highlight important open questions and suggest promising avenues for future studies that will be made possible by new sequencing technologies.

Journal

Journal of Plankton Research – Oxford University Press

Published: Mar 1, 2017

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