Co-option of new paralogues into novel functions (neofunctionalisation) is a common outcome of gene duplication events [ 47] and may underlie adaptations to specific ecological niches [ 48- 51].
The patterns of genome-wide genetic diversity and differentiation in Baltic Sea three-spined sticklebacks were similar to those observed in earlier studies of marine freshwater divergence in three-spined sticklebacks, suggesting that the same genetic processes and loci may often underlie adaptation both to freshwater and brackish water environments.
The possibility that variants with large effects may underlie the adaptation of South African cattle breeds has prompted investigations on the genetic basis of adaptation to ticks, parasites, drought and diseases [ 19– 21] and of their ability to produce good quality beef [ 22].
An age-stratified random sub-sample (n = 1,079) participated in a personal interview where further psychological mechanisms that may underlie successful adaptation (resilience, social support, attachment) were examined.
Other phenotypes within this module include both hyperekplexia and decreased startle response, which may underlie feline adaptations required for successful predation.
However, alterations in post-rest potentiation that may underlie reduced stress adaptation and the FFR inversion have been associated with a blunted post-rest ∆[Ca2+]i increase of SR Ca2+ content (Fig. 2) [ 80].
While differences in allele frequencies of SNPs in genes such as AZGP1 and TAS2R40 may underlie a rapid adaptation to different environments, it can also occur due to drift effects in small populations in the absence of selection, or even if the allele is in fact disadvantageous.
For example, viral adaptation may underlie host-specificity seen in some insect viruses [ e.g. 21,37,38], and adaptation to the invertebrate host has been attributed to specific amino-acid changes in several invertebrate-vectored viruses, including Chikungunya Virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and West Nile Virus [ 39 41].
Candidate mutations that may underlie differences in the adaptation to the environment were exemplified by the genes AZGP1 and TAS2R40.
The refined allelic architecture and selection spectrum for the human CYP3A locus highlight that evolutionary dynamics of molecular adaptation may underlie the phenotypic variation of the xenobiotic disposition system and varied predisposition to complex disorders in which xenobiotics play a role.
