Divergence of Threespine Stickleback That Differ in Nuptial Coloration

<p>Recent research has led to a much better understanding of the evolutionary processes that mold and structure variation within and among populations. How populations diverge at the genome-wide level and how polymorphism is maintained within a species, however, remains unclear. We address these questions with two freshwater color morphs, red and black, of the threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from the northwest United States, in which a shift from red to black nuptial coloration occurred in several locations following glacial retreat. We measured phenotypic variation in a suite of traits and used next generation sequencing to characterize within-species and among-morph genetic variation between the two morphs. We found substantial phenotypic and genetic divergence between color morphs, and patterns observed in a third, "mixed" morph that are likely due to hybridization between anadromous and freshwater stickleback. This work highlights the central role of natural and sexual selection in the evolution of divergence in nature.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Jenck, Clara Sophie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robin M. Tinghitella, Ph.D.
• Erica L. Larson, Ph.D.
• Tom Quinn, Ph.D.

• Divergent selection
• Genetic divergence
• Natural selection
• Phenotypic divergence
• Polymorphism
• Sexual selection
• Genetics
• Genetics and Genomics
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1666

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-2666