Genomic basis of non-human-primate diversity and adaptation
摘要
The order Primates includes more than 500 extant species highly variable in body and brain size, activity and locomotor patterns, diet, habitat and social system. A deeper understanding of the nature and evolutionary origins of this diversity has several benefits, such as a more complete comprehension of mammalian evolution, valuable insight for primate conservation as well as an improved understanding of the development and origin of the unique human phenotype. The number of non-human-primate species for which high-quality reference genomes and re-sequencing data from multiple individuals are available has increased substantially since 2014, enabling comprehensive genome-wide and population-level genomic analyses across different primate species. In this Review, we provide an overview of knowledge regarding genetic diversity and the genetics of adaptive evolution across this order. We describe specific examples of putative genetic mechanisms underlying anatomical and physiological changes and adaptations to particular environmental challenges. We identify key future directions for the field, including the need for additional reference genomes and functional assays, and expanded analysis of genome structure, transcriptomics and epigenetics. We highlight the importance of investigating understudied primate clades, and discuss how insights from genomic research can contribute to primate conservation.