Clonal Reproduction Is Not an Evolutionary Dead End
Explore the evolutionary potential of clonal reproduction in a comprehensive lecture that challenges the notion of it being an evolutionary dead end. Delve into the widespread occurrence of clonal reproduction and modularity in various life histories, examining important terminology such as genet and ramet. Investigate the role of genotypic and clonal diversity in species-poor systems, and analyze the existence of millennia-old clones in corals and seagrasses. Uncover the substantial somatic genetic variation among ramets of the same genet, and learn how to reconstruct genealogy and tree roots. Compare recent full genome oak studies with evolving microbial cultures, and distinguish between unitary and modular species. Examine seagrass data to understand the modes of low-frequency variants and evidence for somatic genetic drift. Consider the potential for somatic genetic variation to contribute to adaptation, addressing challenges such as partial dominance in diploids and the difficulty in detecting causal polymorphisms. Draw parallels with cancer evolutionary biology and explore methods for detecting positive selection in modular species. Conclude by revisiting concepts of individuality in clone members and ramets. Read more