Backström lab

Evolutionary genomics of natural populations

Characterizing the genetic basis of traits of importance for local adaptation and species recognition is a major aim for evolutionary biologists of today.

We use a combination of genetic mapping, population genetics and comparative genomics approaches to study the speciation process, the genetic basis of adaptive traits and patterns of genome evolution. We are primarily using natural populations of butterflies as study organisms.

Read more about our research

Backström lab

Backström lab 2023

Group members

Research leader: Niclas Backström

Group members: Jesper Boman, Christina Panagaki, Alexander Robert Fisher, Ece Zeynep Atici

Publications

Meiotic drive against chromosome fusions in butterfly hybrids

Boman, Jesper; Wiklund, Christer; Vila, Roger; Backström, Niclas

Part of Chromosome Research, 2024
- DOI for Meiotic drive against chromosome fusions in butterfly hybrids
- Download full text (pdf) of Meiotic drive against chromosome fusions in butterfly hybrids
A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly and Annotation for the Clouded Apollo Butterfly (Parnassius mnemosyne): A Species of Global Conservation Concern

Höglund, Jacob; Dias, Guilherme; Olsen, Remi-André; Soares, André et al.

Part of Genome Biology and Evolution, 2024
- DOI for A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly and Annotation for the Clouded Apollo Butterfly (Parnassius mnemosyne): A Species of Global Conservation Concern
- Download full text (pdf) of A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly and Annotation for the Clouded Apollo Butterfly (Parnassius mnemosyne): A Species of Global Conservation Concern
Migratory behaviour is positively associated with genetic diversity in butterflies

Garcia-Berro, Aurora; Talla, Venkat; Vila, Roger; Wai, Hong Kar et al.

Part of Molecular Ecology, p. 560-574, 2023
- DOI for Migratory behaviour is positively associated with genetic diversity in butterflies
- Download full text (pdf) of Migratory behaviour is positively associated with genetic diversity in butterflies
The fine-scale recombination rate variation and associations with genomic features in a butterfly

Palahi i Torres, Aleix; Höök, Lars; Näsvall, Karin; Shipilina, Daria et al.

Part of Genome Research, p. 810-823, 2023
- DOI for The fine-scale recombination rate variation and associations with genomic features in a butterfly
- Download full text (pdf) of The fine-scale recombination rate variation and associations with genomic features in a butterfly
Nascent evolution of recombination rate differences as a consequence of chromosomal rearrangements

Näsvall, Karin; Boman, Jesper; Höök, Lars; Vila, Roger et al.

Part of PLOS Genetics, 2023
- DOI for Nascent evolution of recombination rate differences as a consequence of chromosomal rearrangements
- Download full text (pdf) of Nascent evolution of recombination rate differences as a consequence of chromosomal rearrangements
Environmental stress during larval development induces DNA methylation shifts in the migratory painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)

Boman, Jesper; Zhu, Yishu; Höök, Lars; Vila, Roger et al.

Part of Molecular Ecology, p. 3513-3523, 2023
- DOI for Environmental stress during larval development induces DNA methylation shifts in the migratory painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
- Download full text (pdf) of Environmental stress during larval development induces DNA methylation shifts in the migratory painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
High-density linkage maps and chromosome level genome assemblies unveil direction and frequency of extensive structural rearrangements in wood white butterflies (Leptidea spp.)

Höök, Lars; Näsvall, Karin; Vila, R.; Wiklund, C. et al.

Part of Chromosome Research, 2023
- DOI for High-density linkage maps and chromosome level genome assemblies unveil direction and frequency of extensive structural rearrangements in wood white butterflies (Leptidea spp.)
- Download full text (pdf) of High-density linkage maps and chromosome level genome assemblies unveil direction and frequency of extensive structural rearrangements in wood white butterflies (Leptidea spp.)
Whole genome re-sequencing uncovers significant population structure and low genetic diversity in the endangered clouded apollo (Parnasssius mnemosyne) in Sweden

Talla, Venkat; Mrazek, Veronika; Höglund, Jacob; Backström, Niclas

Part of Conservation Genetics, p. 305-314, 2023
- DOI for Whole genome re-sequencing uncovers significant population structure and low genetic diversity in the endangered clouded apollo (Parnasssius mnemosyne) in Sweden
- Download full text (pdf) of Whole genome re-sequencing uncovers significant population structure and low genetic diversity in the endangered clouded apollo (Parnasssius mnemosyne) in Sweden
Base composition, codon usage and patterns of gene sequence evolution in butterflies.

Näsvall, Karin; Boman, Jesper; Talla, Venkat; Backström, Niclas

Part of Genome Biology and Evolution, 2023
- DOI for Base composition, codon usage and patterns of gene sequence evolution in butterflies.
- Download full text (pdf) of Base composition, codon usage and patterns of gene sequence evolution in butterflies.
Linkage mapping and genome annotation give novel insights into gene family expansions and regional recombination rate variation in the painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterfly

Shipilina, Daria; Näsvall, Karin; Höök, Lars; Vila, Roger et al.

Part of Genomics, 2022
- DOI for Linkage mapping and genome annotation give novel insights into gene family expansions and regional recombination rate variation in the painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterfly
- Download full text (pdf) of Linkage mapping and genome annotation give novel insights into gene family expansions and regional recombination rate variation in the painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterfly

Research areas

Evolutionary Biology