M. Schartl

Genome evolution is surprisingly predictable after initial hybridization

The paper shows that local ancestry in hybrid swordtail fish populations is repeatable due to strong early selection, and this repeatability increases with deeper evolutionary divergence.

Functional Test of a Naturally Occurred Tumor Modifier Gene Provides Insights to Melanoma Development

The paper tests the function of adgre5 alleles in melanoma development using Xiphophorus hybrids and finds that the X. birchmanni allele suppresses melanoma while the X. malinche allele does not.

A Lethal Genetic Incompatibility between Naturally Hybridizing Species in Mitochondrial Complex I

The paper identifies a lethal mitonuclear incompatibility in swordtail fish hybrids involving three Complex I genes, showing non-additive genetic effects and inter-species transfer of incompatibility.

A 180 My-old female-specific genome region in sturgeon reveals the oldest known vertebrate sex determining system with undifferentiated sex chromosomes

The paper identifies a 180 My-old female-specific genome region in sturgeon, revealing an ancient undifferentiated sex chromosome system with ZZ/ZW sex determination.

Decontextualized learning for interpretable hierarchical representations of visual patterns

This paper introduces DHRL, a method for learning interpretable hierarchical representations from visual data, and applies it to evolutionary biology.

The developmental and genetic architecture of the sexually selected male ornament of swordtails

The paper identifies genes associated with sword development in swordtail fish by analyzing transcriptional profiles and genetic mapping.

The rise and fall of the ancient northern pike master sex determining gene

The paper traces the evolution of sex determination in northern pike, revealing an ancient origin of the master sex-determining gene and recent transitions including Y-chromosome loss.

Natural hybridization reveals incompatible alleles that cause melanoma in swordtail fish

Using a combination of mapping approaches, we identify interacting genes that lead to melanoma in hybrids and characterize their effects in natural hybrid populations.

Identification of the master sex determining gene in Northern pike (Esox lucius) reveals restricted sex chromosome differentiation

The paper identifies and functionally validates an ancient duplicated anti-Mullerian hormone gene as the master sex determining gene in Northern pike, revealing limited sex chromosome differentiation.