Ecology and Genetics of Phenotypic Integration and the Role for Adaptation in Threespine Stickleback

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dc.contributor.advisorRogers, Sean M.
dc.contributor.advisorJamniczky, Heather A.
dc.contributor.authorBarry, Tegan Nicole
dc.contributor.committeememberTheodor, Jessica M.
dc.contributor.committeememberVamosi, Steven M.
dc.date2019-11
dc.date.accessioned2019-07-12T14:45:06Z
dc.date.available2019-07-12T14:45:06Z
dc.date.issued2019-07-09
dc.description.abstractDetermining the underlying causes for the links between form, function, and the environment, and how these correlations relate to adaptation to novel environments represent integral problems in evolutionary biology. While investigations have been conducted on adaptive divergence involving single, isolated traits, adaptation is multifaceted, requiring the examination of complex, multidimensional phenotypes. In this thesis, I evaluated the hypothesis that phenotypic covariation and phenotypic integration are linked to genetic covariation and facilitate adaptation to novel environments. Phenotypic variation and covariation, along with genetic differentiation between multiple wild stickleback subpopulations and laboratory reared groups were described using three dimensional geometric morphometric data from stickleback skeletal structures as well as genomic information from high density Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs; sensu Pool-Seq). I evaluated whether divergence in putatively adaptive traits was higher than expected under expectations for neutral evolution via PST-FST comparisons of phenotypic covariation and contrasted patterns of genetic and phenotypic variation. I determined the genetic basis of phenotypic integration using a controlled common garden experiment and investigated the genetic architecture of integrated skeletal structures through Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis carried out on linkage maps that I generated from SNPs characterized by double restriction digest reduced representation sequencing (ddRAD-Seq). Finally, I evaluated whether this genetic architecture was being maintained by selection in wild populations by testing the hypothesis that molecular divergence was higher than expected at genetic regions associated with phenotypic traits. I found the amount of phenotypic variation and strength of integration varies across the stickleback skeleton as well as among marine populations and that directional selection is acting on phenotypic integration in all observed populations. I determined that phenotypic integration across the skeleton is controlled by genetic factors, though there is a strong effect of environment on trophic traits. Finally, I characterized 33 significant QTL linked to integrated skeletal traits, finding 2702 SNP outliers within the identified QTL under selection between marine and freshwater environments. Collectively, my thesis highlights integration as an essential component of adaptive divergence and as one of the potential driving forces for the rapid adaptation of populations to novel environments.en_US
dc.identifier.citationBarry, T. N. (2019). Ecology and Genetics of Phenotypic Integration and the Role for Adaptation in Threespine Stickleback (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/36734
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/110619
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultyScienceen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectThreespine Sticklebacken_US
dc.subjectVariationen_US
dc.subjectCovariationen_US
dc.subjectIntegrationen_US
dc.subjectSelectionen_US
dc.subjectAdaptationen_US
dc.subject.classificationBiologyen_US
dc.titleEcology and Genetics of Phenotypic Integration and the Role for Adaptation in Threespine Sticklebacken_US
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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