Divergent Evolution Of New Species Is Not Genetically Expensive

A new paper in Cell Reports finds that it doesn't take a lot of genetic changes to spur the evolution of new species—even if the original populations are still in contact and exchanging genes. Once evolutionary divergence happens, though, it evolves rapidly, ultimately leading to fully genetically isolated species. To reveal genetic differences critical for speciation,the researchers analyzed the genomes of two closely related butterfly species, Heliconius cydno and H. pachinus, which only recently diverged. Occupying similar ecological habitats and able to interbreed, these butterfly species still undergo a small amount of genetic exchange. read more

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