Meeting Abstract
Metabolic function in eukaryotes relies on coordinated interactions between gene products from the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Because of these functional interactions, it is proposed that coevolution should occur between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes to maintain optimal metabolic capacities and facilitate local adaptation, especially in environments where aerobic performance is tied to survival. Using an genome-scan approach, we show that deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) from high- and low-elevations in western North America are members of distinct mitochondrial haplogroups, and that several genes that influence mitochondrial function have experienced a history of natural selection in highland populations. We then tested for evidence of adaptive mitonuclear coevolution by conducting a geographical cline analysis across an elevational transect that includes the contact zone between high- and low-altitude mtDNA clades and testing for genotypic associations between mitochondrial and nuclear alleles in the contact zone. We also compare the shapes of allele frequency clines for mtDNA and nuclear-encoded genes with mitochondrial function to determine if mitonuclear associations are maintained by natural selection. Together these analyses provide new insights into whether mitonuclear coevolution may play an important role in adaptation to high altitude.
