P. Rastas

Heterogeneous genomic architecture of skeletal armour traits in sticklebacks

This study compares the genetic architecture of skeletal armor traits in two stickleback species, finding more polygenic and heterogeneous variation in nine-spined sticklebacks.

Evolutionary dynamics of genome size and content during the adaptive radiation of Heliconiini butterflies

This study generates and analyzes 63 Heliconiini butterfly genomes to explore evolutionary patterns and genomic basis of traits during adaptive radiation.

Low heritability of crossover rate in wild sticklebacks

This study examines crossover rate variation in wild sticklebacks, finding low heritability and additive genetic variance, suggesting limited evolvability.

Fragmented habitat compensates for the adverse effects of genetic bottleneck

The paper uses whole-genome sequencing to show that habitat structure influences genetic structure in Saimaa ringed seals despite a genetic bottleneck.

Inbreeding depression in an outbred nine-spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) population

The paper documents inbreeding depression in an outbred nine-spined stickleback population, showing a significant decrease in offspring survival with increasing parental IBD sharing and an average inbreeding load of 15.896.

A complex interplay between balancing selection and introgression maintains a genus-wide alternative life-history strategy.

The paper identifies the genetic basis of an alternative life-history strategy in butterflies and shows it originated once, maintained by balancing selection and introgression across species.

The genetic basis of structural colour variation in mimetic Heliconius butterflies

This study identifies genetic loci associated with structural color variation in Heliconius butterflies through QTL mapping and gene expression analysis.

Dissecting the genetic architecture of quantitative traits using genome-wide identity-by-descent sharing

This study estimates quantitative genetic parameters in sticklebacks using IBD sharing, finding that low relatedness variance impairs estimation but half-sib designs allow accurate heritability and additive variance assessment.

Limited genetic parallels underlie convergent evolution of quantitative pattern variation in mimetic butterflies

This study identifies genetic loci controlling subtle quantitative trait variation in mimetic butterflies and finds limited genetic parallels between species.

Genetic population structure constrains local adaptation in sticklebacks

The paper identifies genetic factors underlying pelvic reduction in sticklebacks and shows how population structure limits local adaptation.

A major locus controls a biologically active pheromone component in Heliconius melpomene

This study identifies a major genetic locus controlling octadecanal production in Heliconius melpomene, a biologically active pheromone component involved in mate choice.

A novel terpene synthase produces an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone in the butterfly Heliconius melpomene

The paper identifies a novel terpene synthase in Heliconius melpomene that synthesizes (E)-β-ocimene, an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone, showing it evolved independently from plant and other insect TPSs.

ELIMAKI locus is required for mechanosensing and proprioception in birch trees

The study identifies a mutant birch tree (Elimaki) with impaired proprioception and radial growth, linking mechanical stress response to cell wall properties and transcriptomic changes.

Genetic dissection of assortative mating behavior

This study identifies three large-effect QTLs underlying divergent male preference behavior in Heliconius butterflies, linking them to color pattern genes and suggesting modular evolution of assortative mating traits.

Bracketing phenotypic limits of mammalian hybridization

The paper examines hybridization between gray and ringed seals using genetic and morphological analyses to assess phenotypic limits and wild hybridization potential.

Cryptic, extensive and non-random chromosome reorganization revealed by a butterfly chromonome

The paper reveals extensive, non-random chromosome reorganization in the green-veined white butterfly through fission and fusion events, despite maintaining a standard haploid chromosome count and gene collinearity.

Evolution at two time frames: polymorphisms from an ancient singular divergence event fuel contemporary parallel evolution

The paper shows that ancient genetic variation from a single divergence event enables rapid parallel evolution in beetle ecotypes through repeated selection after admixture.