Speciation and the evolution of genetic diversity

Time period:

1 July 2025 – 30 June 2028

Project leader:

Jesper Boman

Funder:

Swedish Research Council

Type of award:

Grant for positions or stipends

Total funding:

4,050,000 SEK

Genetic diversity is an important parameter both for the evolutionary potential of species and their survival long-term. A species completely depauperate of genetic variation can hardly evolve and may face extinction. It is therefore of paramount importance that we understand how and why genetic diversity evolves. In this project I aim to study the effects of the origin of species (speciation) on genetic diversity. New species may form from isolated populations of a larger species and eventually increase in numbers. However, genetic diversity takes a long time to reach a new equilibrium level. Therefore, the evolution of genetic diversity may be constrained by speciation but this has never been tested. In this project I will study i) how genetic diversity evolves at speciation using large datasets of whole-genome sequences from butterflies, ii) whether the evolution of genetic diversity is constrained by the rate of speciation, i.e. whether a new speciation event occurs before genetic diversity has had a chance to recover and iii) how gene flow (hybridization) and geography during speciation affects this process using a case study system of a genus of butterflies known to hybridize. The project will involve computational work as well as field sampling and host stays at world-leading experts in France and the United States. This interdisciplinary work will fill a critical gap in our understanding of how genetic diversity evolves at speciation.