Natural selection and convergent evolution of the HOX gene family in Carnivora

HOX genes play a central role in the development and regulation of limb patterns. For mammals order Carnivora, limbs have evolved different forms, there are interesting cases phenotypic convergence, such as pseudothumb giant red pandas, flippers or specialized pinnipeds sea otter. However, molecular bases remain largely unclear. Here, we studied evolution HOX9 ~ 13 14 representative species Carnivora explored other genes. We found that only one gene, HOXC10 , underwent convergent between pandas was thus an important candidate gene related to pseudothumbs. No signals amino acid convergence natural selection were otter, but evidence positive rapid four pinniped species. Overall, few evolve via evolution, these could be for further functional validation. Our findings provide insights into potential mechanisms pseudothumbs (or limbs).