Adaptation of Complex Traits: Insights from Evolution Experiments in Drosophila

Abstract

Most adaptive traits are polygenic with many underlying loci. The genetic architecture of these traits specifies how the phenotypes can be changed by mutations, but many factors determine which of these loci will be used during adaptation. Additionally, adaptation of complex traits in replicate populations with phenotypic convergence can occur through selection of different sets of loci. The analysis of time-series phenotypic and genomic data in replicates of evolving populations is crucial for understanding the adaptive architecture of a trait. I will demonstrate how experimental evolution emerges as an exceptional approach for generating precisely this type of data. Drawing on empirical evidence, I will show that temporal phenotypic data enable the identification of adaptive patterns, even when the selected trait(s) are unidentified, as is often the case in natural and experimental populations. Finally, I will discuss the next generation of evolution experiments, designed to mimic th...