Nicola Barson

Abstract Advances in sequencing are revealing that linked genomic architectures, enabling the evolution of co-adapted alleles at multiple loci, often shape complex phenotypes. Several recent studies have identified such architectures (e.g., chromosomal rearrangements and supergenes) contributing to adaptation or divergence across diverse species, from plants to mammals.

Abstract Males and females often differ in their fitness optima for shared traits that have a shared genetic basis, leading to sexual conflict. Morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes can resolve this conflict and protect sexually antagonistic variation, but they accumulate deleterious mutations. However, how sexual conflict is resolved in species that lack differentiated sex chromosomes is largely unknown.

Historiens første hyrdestund skjedde for godt over en milliard år siden. Frem til da hadde formering skjedd i ensomhet ved å lage genetisk identiske etterkommere – kloner. Dette er en meget effektiv forplantningsstrategi med svært små sjanser for kluss i prosessen. Så hvorfor gå bort ifra en suksessoppskrift som hadde fungert godt i over to milliarder år? Hva er det med sex som fungerer så bra at det i dag gjøres over alt og av alle mulige kryp og planter?