Genomic Targets of Positive Selection in Giant Mice from Gough Island

Researchers identified 1,463 genomic regions under strong positive selection in giant house mice from Gough Island, distinct from mainland populations. These regions, enriched with genes linked to neurological functions and body size, suggest adaptive mutations—including missense and regulatory variants—that may drive island-specific traits like exploratory behavior. The study employed massively parallel sequencing, demographic modeling via approximate Bayesian computation, and machine learning to pinpoint selection targets, offering a genomic framework for understanding rapid adaptation in isolated ecosystems.

Payseur, B. A., & Jing, P. (2020). Genomic Targets of Positive Selection in Giant Mice from Gough Island. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 38(3), 911–926. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaa255