Hybridization – From Behaviour to Evolution

Individuals from independently evolving lineages occasionally mate and exchange genes. Can such hybridization promote adaptive change, induce novelties, and fuel diversification?

Our research suggests that the answer to all these questions could be yes. For example, in common wall lizards, sexual selection causes adaptive introgression of a novel phenotype. We have shown that introgression and climatic effects on the strength of sexual selection explains the confusing mosaic of diversity in colour and morphology.

It actually turns out that this is just the tip of an iceberg: hybridization was common throughout the evolutionary history of Mediterranean wall lizards. We now attempt to connect ancient hybridization with speciation, phenotypic innovation, and the bursts of diversification in colouration that made wall lizards famous.

If you want to know more:

Feiner, N., Yang, W., Bunikis, I., While, G.M. & Uller, T. 2024. Adaptive introgression reveals the genetic basis of a sexually selected syndrome in wall lizards. Science Advances 10:14

Yang, W., Feiner, N., Pinho, C., While, G.M., Kaliontzopoulou, A., Harris, D.J., Salvi, D. & Uller, T. 2021. Extensive introgression and mosaic genomes of Mediterranean endemic lizards. Nature Communications 12:2762

Ruiz Miñano, M., While, G.M., Yang, W., Burridge, C.P., Sacchi, R., Zuffi, M., Scali, R., Salvi, D., Uller, T. 2021. Climate shapes the geographic distribution and introgressive spread of colour ornamentation in common wall lizards. The American Naturalist 198:379-393

Yang, W., Feiner, N., Laakkonen, H., Sacchi, R., Zuffi, M.A.L., Scali, S., While, G.M., Uller, T. 2020. Spatial variation in gene flow across a hybrid zone reveals causes of reproductive isolation and asymmetric introgression in wall lizards. Evolution 74:1289-1300