Data from: Chromosomal rearrangements do not seem to affect the gene flow in hybrid zones between karyotypic races of the common shrew (Sorex araneus)

Chromosomal rearrangements are proposed to promote genetic differentiation between chromosomally differentiated taxa and therefore promote speciation. Due to their remarkable karyotypic polymorphism, the shrews of the Sorex araneus group were used to investigate the impact of chromosomal rearrangements on gene flow. Five intraspecific chromosomal hybrid zones characterized by different levels of karyotypic complexity were studied using 16 microsatellites markers. We observed low levels of genetic differentiation even in the hybrid zones with the highest karyotypic complexity. No evidence of restricted gene flow between differently rearranged chromosomes was observed. Contrary to what was observed at the interspecific level, the effect of chromosomal rearrangements on gene flow was undetectable within the S. araneus species.

有假说提出，染色体重排（chromosomal rearrangements）可促进存在染色体分化的类群间的遗传分化（genetic differentiation），进而推动物种形成（speciation）。鉴于普通鼩鼱类群（Sorex araneus group）具有显著的核型多态性（karyotypic polymorphism），该类群被用于探究染色体重排对基因流（gene flow）的影响。本研究针对5个核型复杂程度各异的种内染色体杂交带（intraspecific chromosomal hybrid zones），采用16个微卫星标记（microsatellites markers）展开研究。结果显示，即便在核型复杂程度最高的杂交带中，也仅观测到极低水平的遗传分化。未发现发生不同重排的染色体之间存在基因流受限的迹象。与种间观测到的结果相反，在普通鼩鼱（S. araneus）这一物种内部，染色体重排对基因流的影响无法被检测到。