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Speciation in the Shadow of Recombination and Lateral Gene Transfer

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Lateral Gene Transfer in Evolution

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Abstract

Advances in population genetics and genomics driven by more efficient and affordable DNA sequencing and analyses have uncovered large variety in the patterns of microbial genetic diversity. The fact that genes can be horizontally transmitted at unexpectedly high rates within and between related asexually reproducing lineages radically changed our understanding of prokaryotic evolution and ecology. Consequently, we have had to change the view of species as monolithic discrete units and acknowledge that most data actually support much fuzzier distinctions. Here, we review population genetics, genomics, and experimental genetics findings that convey a complex picture of microbial speciation processes and highlight some underappreciated forces of microbial speciation including biogeography.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Molecular & Cell Biology, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3125, 06269-3125, Storrs, CT, USA

    Assist. Prof. R. Thane Papke

  2. Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Adit Naor & Uri Gophna

Authors
  1. Assist. Prof. R. Thane Papke
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  2. Adit Naor
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  3. Uri Gophna
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Correspondence to R. Thane Papke .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Molecular Microbiology and, Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv, N/A, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel

    Uri Gophna

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Thane Papke, R., Naor, A., Gophna, U. (2013). Speciation in the Shadow of Recombination and Lateral Gene Transfer. In: Gophna, U. (eds) Lateral Gene Transfer in Evolution. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7780-8_15

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