Utilising graphic models to examine evolutionary networks in wild cattle

Genetic exchange across species boundaries is a much more common phenomenon than previously assumed. Understanding how different species are connected in reticulated evolutionary networks is of fundamental interest in Biology. However, currently available methods to infer evolutionary relationships are based on simplified bifurcating models of species and population divergence. We propose to develop a new type of Admixture Graph Models, to disentangle the evolutionary network of wild and domestic cattle, with a special emphasis on detecting selection acting on genes that have crossed species boundaries. This will help us understand fundamental aspects of the evolutionary process, in particular speciation. It will also be highly valuable for identifying the types of genes that repeatedly transcend species boundaries. The two PIs have extensive experience in graph theory and applied mathematics, and wildlife genetics and biology, respectively. Therefore, the project holds great promise for integrating disciplines that are not usually applied to the same research questions.