Inference of natural selection from ancient DNA

Research output: Contribution to journalLetterpeer-review

Documents

  • Marianne Dehasque
  • Maria C. avila-Arcos
  • David Diez-del-Molino
  • Matteo Fumagalli
  • Katerina Guschanski
  • Lorenzen, Eline
  • Anna-Sapfo Malaspinas
  • Tomas Marques-Bonet
  • Michael D. Martin
  • Gemma G. R. Murray
  • Alexander S. T. Papadopulos
  • Nina Overgaard Therkildsen
  • Daniel Wegmann
  • Love Dalen
  • Andrew D. Foote

Evolutionary processes, including selection, can be indirectly inferred based on patterns of genomic variation among contemporary populations or species. However, this often requires unrealistic assumptions of ancestral demography and selective regimes. Sequencing ancient DNA from temporally spaced samples can inform about past selection processes, as time series data allow direct quantification of population parameters collected before, during, and after genetic changes driven by selection. In this Comment and Opinion, we advocate for the inclusion of temporal sampling and the generation of paleogenomic datasets in evolutionary biology, and highlight some of the recent advances that have yet to be broadly applied by evolutionary biologists. In doing so, we consider the expected signatures of balancing, purifying, and positive selection in time series data, and detail how this can advance our understanding of the chronology and tempo of genomic change driven by selection. However, we also recognize the limitations of such data, which can suffer from postmortem damage, fragmentation, low coverage, and typically low sample size. We therefore highlight the many assumptions and considerations associated with analyzing paleogenomic data and the assumptions associated with analytical methods.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEvolution Letters
Volume4
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)94-108
Number of pages15
ISSN2056-3744
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • Adaptation, ancient DNA, natural selection, paleogenomics, time series, BALANCING SELECTION, DELETERIOUS MUTATIONS, GENOME SEQUENCE, MOLECULAR EVOLUTION, POPULATION-GENETICS, BAYESIAN-INFERENCE, LINKED SELECTION, RAPID EVOLUTION, COAT COLOR, SPECIATION

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