Lineage specific reductions in genome size in salamanders are associated with increased rates of mutation

TL;DR

This study reveals that salamanders with smaller genomes exhibit higher mutation and evolutionary rates, suggesting a link between genome size reduction and increased genetic variability in these amphibians.

Contribution

It demonstrates a correlation between smaller genome sizes and increased mutation and evolution rates in salamanders, a relationship not previously characterized.

Findings

Salamanders have exceptionally low evolutionary rates.

Smaller genomes evolve faster than larger genomes.

Recent species have smaller genomes and higher mutation rates.

Abstract

Very low levels of genetic diversity have been reported in vertebrates with large genomes, notably salamanders and lungfish [1-3]. Interpreting differences in heterozygosity, which reflects genetic diversity in a population, is complicated because levels of heterozygosity vary widely between conspecific populations, and correlate with many different physiological and demographic variables such as body size and effective population size. Here we return to the question of genetic variability in salamanders and report on the relationship between evolutionary rates and genome sizes in five different salamander families. We found that rates of evolution are exceptionally low in salamanders as a group. Evolutionary rates are as low as those reported for cartilaginous fish, which have the slowest rates recorded so far in vertebrates [4]. We also found that, independent of life history, salamanders with the smallest genomes (14 pg) are evolving at rates two to three times faster than salamanders with the largest genomes (>50 pg). After accounting for evolutionary duration, we conclude that more recently evolved species have correspondingly smaller genomes compared to older taxa and concomitantly higher rates of mutation and evolution.