Evolutionary dynamics of gene expression during thermal adaptation in Drosophila subobscura

Evolutionary dynamics of gene expression during thermal adaptation in Drosophila subobscura | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 29 September 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Evolutionary dynamics of gene expression during thermal adaptation in Drosophila subobscura Authors : Marta Antunes 0000-0002-5014-7145 [email protected] , Marta A Antunes , Marta A Santos , Mauro Santos , Margarida Matos , and Pedro Simões Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175915734.40571724/v1 Published Genome Biology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 143 views 133 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Global warming poses significant challenges to the persistence of biodiversity, requiring a deeper understanding of thermal adaptation, particularly at the genetic level. Examining gene expression changes offers critical insight into the molecular mechanisms driving adaptation, helping to identify which genes are activated or repressed during the adaptive dynamics. This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of gene expression in Drosophila subobscura populations from different latitudinal origins under progressive warming conditions. By analyzing transcriptomic changes across two generation gaps (after 9 and 23 generations of evolution), we found some complex evolutionary patterns of gene expression, including shifts from up to down-regulation and vice versa, with high latitude populations exhibiting greater variability in adaptive responses than low latitude populations. Such complex dynamics involved enrichment of DNA replication-and DNA repair mechanisms in particular-in both populations, although the timing and direction differed between them. We also found consistent downregulation of the immunity-related Toll-NF-κB pathway in high latitude populations. This study documents the dynamic and shifting nature of gene expression during adaptation to warming environments and highlights the critical role of population history in shaping adaptive strategies. These findings deepen our understanding of the transcriptomic mechanisms driving thermal adaptation and provide a basis for predicting evolutionary responses to climate change. Supplementary Material File (paper_dinamica_g9g23_12ago.pdf) Download 1.59 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 29 September 2025 Peer review timeline Published Genome Biology and Evolution Version of Record 24 Mar 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords 11 pt evolutionary dynamics adaptation experimental evolution significance statement font: (default) +headings (times new roman) gene expression trajectories warming Authors Affiliations Marta Antunes 0000-0002-5014-7145 [email protected] View all articles by this author Marta A Antunes CE3C -Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE -Global Change and Sustainability Institute Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa View all articles by this author Marta A Santos CE3C -Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE -Global Change and Sustainability Institute Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa View all articles by this author Mauro Santos CE3C -Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE -Global Change and Sustainability Institute Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Grup de Genòmica, Bioinformàtica i Biologia Evolutiva (GBBE), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona View all articles by this author Margarida Matos CE3C -Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE -Global Change and Sustainability Institute Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa View all articles by this author Pedro Simões CE3C -Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE -Global Change and Sustainability Institute Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 143 views 133 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Marta Antunes, Marta A Antunes, Marta A Santos, et al. Evolutionary dynamics of gene expression during thermal adaptation in Drosophila subobscura. Authorea . 29 September 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175915734.40571724/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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