1
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Rizzato PP, Bichuette ME. Gross morphology of the brain and some sense organs of subterranean pencil catfishes of the genus Ituglanis Costa and Bockmann, 1993 (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae), with a discussion on sensory compensation versus preadaptation in subterranean fishes. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024; 104:1386-1400. [PMID: 38343097 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Subterranean organisms provide excellent opportunities to investigate morphological evolution, especially of sensory organs and structures and their processing areas in the central nervous system. We describe the gross morphology of the brain and some cephalic sensory organs (olfactory organ, eye, semicircular canals of the inner ear) and the swim bladder (a non-sensory accessory structure) of subterranean species of pencil catfishes of the genus Ituglanis Costa and Bockmann, 1993 (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) and compare them with an epigean species of the genus, Ituglanis goya Datovo, Aquino and Langeani, 2016. We compared qualitatively the size of the different brain regions and sense organs of the subterranean species with those of the epigean one, searching for modifications possibly associated with living in the subterranean environment. Our findings suggest that species of Ituglanis exhibit sensory characteristics that are preadaptive for the subterranean life, as only slight modifications were observed in the brains and sense organs of the subterranean species of the genus when compared with the epigean one. Because most subterranean fish species belong to lineages putatively preadapted for subterranean life, our results, discussed in the context of available information on the brain and sense organs of other subterranean species, help identify general trends for the evolution of the brain and sensory organs of subterranean fishes in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro P Rizzato
- Laboratório de Morfologia, Evolução e Diversidade de Vertebrados, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Elina Bichuette
- Laboratório de Estudos Subterrâneos and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia-Biodiversidade e uso Sustentável de Peixes Neotropicais (INCT Peixes), Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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2
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Lloyd E, Xia F, Moore K, Zertuche C, Rastogi A, Kozol R, Kenzior O, Warren W, Appelbaum L, Moran RL, Zhao C, Duboue E, Rohner N, Keene AC. Elevated DNA Damage without signs of aging in the short-sleeping Mexican Cavefish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.18.590174. [PMID: 38659770 PMCID: PMC11042282 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.18.590174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Dysregulation of sleep has widespread health consequences and represents an enormous health burden. Short-sleeping individuals are predisposed to the effects of neurodegeneration, suggesting a critical role for sleep in the maintenance of neuronal health. While the effects of sleep on cellular function are not completely understood, growing evidence has identified an association between sleep loss and DNA damage, raising the possibility that sleep facilitates efficient DNA repair. The Mexican tetra fish, Astyanax mexicanus provides a model to investigate the evolutionary basis for changes in sleep and the consequences of sleep loss. Multiple cave-adapted populations of these fish have evolved to sleep for substantially less time compared to surface populations of the same species without identifiable impacts on healthspan or longevity. To investigate whether the evolved sleep loss is associated with DNA damage and cellular stress, we compared the DNA Damage Response (DDR) and oxidative stress levels between A. mexicanus populations. We measured markers of chronic sleep loss and discovered elevated levels of the DNA damage marker γH2AX in the brain, and increased oxidative stress in the gut of cavefish, consistent with chronic sleep deprivation. Notably, we found that acute UV-induced DNA damage elicited an increase in sleep in surface fish but not in cavefish. On a transcriptional level, only the surface fish activated the photoreactivation repair pathway following UV damage. These findings suggest a reduction of the DDR in cavefish compared to surface fish that coincides with elevated DNA damage in cavefish. To examine DDR pathways at a cellular level, we created an embryonic fibroblast cell line from the two populations of A. mexicanus. We observed that both the DDR and DNA repair were diminished in the cavefish cells, corroborating the in vivo findings and suggesting that the acute response to DNA damage is lost in cavefish. To investigate the long-term impact of these changes, we compared the transcriptome in the brain and gut of aged surface fish and cavefish. Strikingly, many genes that are differentially expressed between young and old surface fish do not transcriptionally vary by age in cavefish. Taken together, these findings suggest that have developed resilience to sleep loss, despite possessing cellular hallmarks of chronic sleep deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840
| | - Fanning Xia
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110
| | - Kinsley Moore
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840
| | - Carolina Zertuche
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840
| | - Aakriti Rastogi
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840
| | - Rob Kozol
- Harriet Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458
| | - Olga Kenzior
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110
| | - Wesley Warren
- Department of Genomics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Lior Appelbaum
- Faculty of Life Science and the Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Illan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Rachel L Moran
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840
| | - Chongbei Zhao
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110
| | - Erik Duboue
- Harriet Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458
| | - Nicolas Rohner
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840
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3
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Lukić M, Jovović L, Bedek J, Grgić M, Kuharić N, Rožman T, Čupić I, Weck B, Fong D, Bilandžija H. A practical guide for the husbandry of cave and surface invertebrates as the first step in establishing new model organisms. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300962. [PMID: 38573919 PMCID: PMC10994295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
While extensive research on traditional model species has significantly advanced the biological sciences, the ongoing search for new model organisms is essential to tackle contemporary challenges such as human diseases or climate change, and fundamental phenomena including adaptation or speciation. Recent methodological advances such as next-generation sequencing, gene editing, and imaging are widely applicable and have simplified the selection of species with specific traits from the wild. However, a critical milestone in this endeavor remains the successful cultivation of selected species. A historically overlooked but increasingly recognized group of non-model organisms are cave dwellers. These unique animals offer invaluable insights into the genetic basis of human diseases like eye degeneration, metabolic and neurological disorders, and basic evolutionary principles and the origin of adaptive phenotypes. However, to take advantage of the beneficial traits of cave-dwelling animals, laboratory cultures must be established-a practice that remains extremely rare except for the cavefish Astyanax mexicanus. For most cave-dwelling organisms, there are no published culturing protocols. In this study, we present the results of our multi-year effort to establish laboratory cultures for a variety of invertebrate groups. We have developed comprehensive protocols for housing, feeding, and husbandry of cave dwellers and their surface relatives. Our recommendations are versatile and can be applied to a wide range of species. Hopefully our efforts will facilitate the establishment of new laboratory animal facilities for cave-dwelling organisms and encourage their greater use in experimental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Lukić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Natural History Museum, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lada Jovović
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jana Bedek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Magdalena Grgić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Tin Rožman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Čupić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bob Weck
- Department of Biology, Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Daniel Fong
- Department of Biology, American University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Helena Bilandžija
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Zagreb, Croatia
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4
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Recknagel H, Zakšek V, Delić T, Gorički Š, Trontelj P. Multiple transitions between realms shape relict lineages of Proteus cave salamanders. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e16868. [PMID: 36715250 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In comparison to biodiversity on Earth's surface, subterranean biodiversity has largely remained concealed. The olm (Proteus anguinus) is one of the most enigmatic extant cave inhabitants, and until now little was known regarding its genetic structure and evolutionary history. Olms inhabit subterranean waters throughout the Dinaric Karst of the western Balkans, with a seemingly uniform phenotypic appearance of cave-specialized traits: an elongate body, snout and limbs, degenerated eyes and loss of pigmentation ("white olm"). Only a single small region in southeastern Slovenia harbours olms with a phenotype typical of surface animals: pigmented skin, eyes, a blunt snout and short limbs ("black olm"). We used a combination of mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data to investigate the molecular diversity, evolutionary history and biogeography of olms along the Dinaric Karst. We found nine deeply divergent species-level lineages that separated between 17 and 4 million years ago, while molecular diversity within lineages was low. We detected no signal of recent admixture between lineages and only limited historical gene flow. Biogeographically, the contemporaneous distribution of lineages mostly mirrors hydrologically separated subterranean environments, while the historical separation of olm lineages follows microtectonic and climatic changes in the area. The reconstructed phylogeny suggests at least four independent transitions to the cave phenotype. Two of the species-level lineages have miniscule ranges and may represent Europe's rarest amphibians. Their rarity and the decline in other lineages call for protection of their subterranean habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Recknagel
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - V Zakšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - T Delić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Š Gorički
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Scriptorium biologorum, Murska Sobota, Slovenia
| | - P Trontelj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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5
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Jolles JW, Böhm A, Brinker A, Behrmann-Godel J. Unravelling the origins of boldness behaviour: a common garden experiment with cavefish ( Barbatula barbatula). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231517. [PMID: 38204784 PMCID: PMC10776215 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Many animals show an aversion to bright, open spaces, with significant variability seen across species, populations and individuals within populations. Although there is much interest in the underlying causes of this behaviour, few studies have been able to systematically isolate the role of heritable and environmental effects. Here, we addressed this gap using a common garden experiment with cavefish. Specifically, we bred and cross-bred cave loaches (Barbatula barbatula), Europe's only known cavefish, in the laboratory, raised the offspring in complete darkness or normal light conditions, and studied their light avoidance behaviour. Cavefish spent much more time in a light area and ventured further out, while surface fish spent considerable time in risk-assessment behaviour between the light and dark areas. Hybrids behaved most similarly to cavefish. Light treatment and eye quality and lens size only had a modest effect. Our results suggest light avoidance behaviour of cavefish has a heritable basis and is fundamentally linked to increased boldness rather than reduced vision, which is likely adaptive given the complete lack of macropredators in the cave environment. Our study provides novel experimental insights into the behavioural divergence of cavefish and contributes to our broader understanding of the evolution of boldness and behavioural adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolle W. Jolles
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Centre for Advanced Studies Blanes (CEAB), CSIC, Blanes, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Alexander Böhm
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Brinker
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Fisheries Research Station Baden-Württemberg, Langenargen, Germany
| | - Jasminca Behrmann-Godel
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Ministry for Nutrition, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg (MLR), Stuttgart, Germany
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6
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Lloyd E, Privat M, Sumbre G, Duboué ER, Keene AC. A protocol for whole-brain Ca 2+ imaging in Astyanax mexicanus, a model of comparative evolution. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102517. [PMID: 37742184 PMCID: PMC10520939 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In this protocol, we describe a comparative approach to study the evolution of brain function in the Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus. We developed surface fish and two independent populations of cavefish with pan-neuronal expression of the Ca2+ sensor GCaMP6s. We describe a methodology to prepare samples and image activity across the optic tectum and olfactory bulb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA.
| | - Martin Privat
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France
| | - German Sumbre
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Erik R Duboué
- Harriet Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA.
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7
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Warren WC, Rice ES, Maggs X, Roback E, Keene A, Martin F, Ogeh D, Haggerty L, Carroll RA, McGaugh S, Rohner N. Astyanax mexicanus surface and cavefish chromosome-scale assemblies for trait variation discovery. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.16.567450. [PMID: 38014157 PMCID: PMC10680795 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.16.567450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The ability of organisms to adapt to sudden extreme environmental changes produces some of the most drastic examples of rapid phenotypic evolution. The Mexican Tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, is abundant in the surface waters of northeastern Mexico, but repeated colonizations of cave environments have resulted in the independent evolution of troglomorphic phenotypes in several populations. Here, we present three chromosome-scale assemblies of this species, for one surface and two cave populations, enabling the first whole-genome comparisons between independently evolved cave populations to evaluate the genetic basis for the evolution of adaptation to the cave environment. Our assemblies represent the highest quality of sequence completeness with predicted protein-coding and non-coding gene metrics far surpassing prior resources and, to our knowledge, all long-read assembled teleost genomes, including zebrafish. Whole genome synteny alignments show highly conserved gene order among cave forms in contrast to a higher number of chromosomal rearrangements when compared to other phylogenetically close or distant teleost species. By phylogenetically assessing gene orthology across distant branches of amniotes, we discover gene orthogroups unique to A. mexicanus. When compared to a representative surface fish genome, we find a rich amount of structural sequence diversity, defined here as the number and size of insertions and deletions as well as expanding and contracting repeats across cave forms. These new more complete genomic resources ensure higher trait resolution for comparative, functional, developmental, and genetic studies of drastic trait differences within a species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley C. Warren
- Department of Animal Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Edward S. Rice
- Department of Animal Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO
| | - X Maggs
- Department of Animal Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO
| | - Emma Roback
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN
| | - Alex Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas AM University, College Station, TX
| | - Fergal Martin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Denye Ogeh
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Leanne Haggerty
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Rachel A. Carroll
- Department of Animal Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO
| | - Suzanne McGaugh
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN
| | - Nicolas Rohner
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, KU Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
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8
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Batista da Silva I, Aciole Barbosa D, Kavalco KF, Nunes LR, Pasa R, Menegidio FB. Discovery of putative long non-coding RNAs expressed in the eyes of Astyanax mexicanus (Actinopterygii: Characidae). Sci Rep 2023; 13:12051. [PMID: 37491348 PMCID: PMC10368750 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34198-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Astyanax mexicanus is a well-known model species, that has two morphotypes, cavefish, from subterranean rivers and surface fish, from surface rivers. They are morphologically distinct due to many troglomorphic traits in the cavefish, such as the absence of eyes. Most studies on A. mexicanus are focused on eye development and protein-coding genes involved in the process. However, lncRNAs did not get the same attention and very little is known about them. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap, identifying, describing, classifying, and annotating lncRNAs expressed in the embryo's eye tissue of cavefish and surface fish. To do so, we constructed a concise workflow to assemble and evaluate transcriptomes, annotate protein-coding genes, ncRNAs families, predict the coding potential, identify putative lncRNAs, map them and predict interactions. This approach resulted in the identification of 33,069 and 19,493 putative lncRNAs respectively mapped in cavefish and surface fish. Thousands of these lncRNAs were annotated and identified as conserved in human and several species of fish. Hundreds of them were validated in silico, through ESTs. We identified lncRNAs associated with genes related to eye development. This is the case of a few lncRNAs associated with sox2, which we suggest being isomorphs of the SOX2-OT, a lncRNA that can regulate the expression of sox2. This work is one of the first studies to focus on the description of lncRNAs in A. mexicanus, highlighting several lncRNA targets and opening an important precedent for future studies focusing on lncRNAs expressed in A. mexicanus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuri Batista da Silva
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
- Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa Campus Rio Paranaíba, Rio Paranaíba, MG, 38810-000, Brazil
| | - David Aciole Barbosa
- Integrated Biotechnology Center, University of Mogi das Cruzes (UMC), Av. Dr. Cândido X. de Almeida and Souza, 200 - Centro Cívico, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, 08780-911, Brazil
| | - Karine Frehner Kavalco
- Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa Campus Rio Paranaíba, Rio Paranaíba, MG, 38810-000, Brazil
| | - Luiz R Nunes
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, 09606-045, Brazil
| | - Rubens Pasa
- Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa Campus Rio Paranaíba, Rio Paranaíba, MG, 38810-000, Brazil.
| | - Fabiano B Menegidio
- Integrated Biotechnology Center, University of Mogi das Cruzes (UMC), Av. Dr. Cândido X. de Almeida and Souza, 200 - Centro Cívico, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, 08780-911, Brazil.
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9
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Kemmler CL, Moran HR, Murray BF, Scoresby A, Klem JR, Eckert RL, Lepovsky E, Bertho S, Nieuwenhuize S, Burger S, D'Agati G, Betz C, Puller AC, Felker A, Ditrychova K, Bötschi S, Affolter M, Rohner N, Lovely CB, Kwan KM, Burger A, Mosimann C. Next-generation plasmids for transgenesis in zebrafish and beyond. Development 2023; 150:dev201531. [PMID: 36975217 PMCID: PMC10263156 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Transgenesis is an essential technique for any genetic model. Tol2-based transgenesis paired with Gateway-compatible vector collections has transformed zebrafish transgenesis with an accessible modular system. Here, we establish several next-generation transgenesis tools for zebrafish and other species to expand and enhance transgenic applications. To facilitate gene regulatory element testing, we generated Gateway middle entry vectors harboring the small mouse beta-globin minimal promoter coupled to several fluorophores, CreERT2 and Gal4. To extend the color spectrum for transgenic applications, we established middle entry vectors encoding the bright, blue-fluorescent protein mCerulean and mApple as an alternative red fluorophore. We present a series of p2A peptide-based 3' vectors with different fluorophores and subcellular localizations to co-label cells expressing proteins of interest. Finally, we established Tol2 destination vectors carrying the zebrafish exorh promoter driving different fluorophores as a pineal gland-specific transgenesis marker that is active before hatching and through adulthood. exorh-based reporters and transgenesis markers also drive specific pineal gland expression in the eye-less cavefish (Astyanax). Together, our vectors provide versatile reagents for transgenesis applications in zebrafish, cavefish and other models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie L. Kemmler
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hannah R. Moran
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Brooke F. Murray
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Aaron Scoresby
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - John R. Klem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Rachel L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lepovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Sylvain Bertho
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Susan Nieuwenhuize
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sibylle Burger
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca D'Agati
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Charles Betz
- Growth & Development, Biozentrum, Spitalstrasse 41, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ann-Christin Puller
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Felker
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Ditrychova
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Seraina Bötschi
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Affolter
- Growth & Development, Biozentrum, Spitalstrasse 41, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Rohner
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - C. Ben Lovely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Kristen M. Kwan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alexa Burger
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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10
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Kozol RA, Yuiska A, Han JH, Tolentino B, Lopatto A, Lewis P, Paz A, Keene AC, Kowalko JE, Duboué ER. Novel Husbandry Practices Result in Rapid Rates of Growth and Sexual Maturation Without Impacting Adult Behavior in the Blind Mexican Cavefish. Zebrafish 2023; 20:86-94. [PMID: 37071855 PMCID: PMC10123811 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal model systems are dependent on the standardization of husbandry protocols that maximize growth and reduce generation time. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, exists as eyed surface and blind cave dwelling populations. The opportunity for comparative approaches between independently evolved populations has led to the rapid growth of A. mexicanus as a model for evolution and biomedical research. However, a slow and inconsistent growth rate remains a major limitation to the expanded application of A. mexicanus. Fortunately, this temporal limitation can be addressed through husbandry changes that accelerate growth rates while maintaining optimal health outcomes. Here, we describe a husbandry protocol that produces rapid growth rates through changes in diet, feeding frequency, growth sorting and progressive changes in tank size. This protocol produced robust growth rates and decreased the age of sexual maturity in comparison to our previous protocol. To determine whether changes in feeding impacted behavior, we tested fish in exploration and schooling assays. We found no difference in behavior between the two groups, suggesting that increased feeding and rapid growth will not impact the natural variation in behavioral traits. Taken together, this standardized husbandry protocol will accelerate the development of A. mexicanus as a genetic model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Kozol
- College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Anders Yuiska
- College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Ji Heon Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Bernadeth Tolentino
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Arthur Lopatto
- College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Peter Lewis
- College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Alexandra Paz
- College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Alex C. Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Johanna E. Kowalko
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erik R. Duboué
- College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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11
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Culver DC, Kowalko JE, Pipan T. Natural selection versus neutral mutation in the evolution of subterranean life: A false dichotomy? Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1080503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout the evolutionary tree, there are gains and losses of morphological features, physiological processes, and behavioral patterns. Losses are perhaps nowhere so prominent as for subterranean organisms, which typically show reductions or losses of eyes and pigment. These losses seem easy to explain without recourse to natural selection. Its most modern form is the accumulation of selectively neutral, structurally reducing mutations. Selectionist explanations include direct selection, often involving metabolic efficiency in resource poor subterranean environments, and pleiotropy, where genes affecting eyes and pigment have other effects, such as increasing extra-optic sensory structures. This dichotomy echoes the debate in evolutionary biology in general about the sufficiency of natural selection as an explanation of evolution, e.g., Kimura’s neutral mutation theory. Tests of the two hypotheses have largely been one-sided, with data supporting that one or the other processes is occurring. While these tests have utilized a variety of subterranean organisms, the Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, which has eyed extant ancestral-like surface fish conspecifics, is easily bred in the lab, and whose whole genome has been sequenced, is the favored experimental organism. However, with few exceptions, tests for selection versus neutral mutations contain limitations or flaws. Notably, these tests are often one sided, testing for the presence of one or the other process. In fact, it is most likely that both processes occur and make a significant contribution to the two most studied traits in cave evolution: eye and pigment reduction. Furthermore, narrow focus on neutral mutation hypothesis versus selection to explain cave-evolved traits often fails, at least in the simplest forms of these hypotheses, to account for aspects that are likely essential for understanding cave evolution: migration or epigenetic effects. Further, epigenetic effects and phenotypic plasticity have been demonstrated to play an important role in cave evolution in recent studies. Phenotypic plasticity does not by itself result in genetic change of course, but plasticity can reveal cryptic genetic variation which then selection can act on. These processes may result in a radical change in our thinking about evolution of subterranean life, especially the speed with which it may occur. Thus, perhaps it is better to ask what role the interaction of genes and environment plays, in addition to natural selection and neutral mutation.
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12
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Raghavan R, Sundar RL, Arjun C, Britz R, Dahanukar N. Evolution in the dark: Unexpected genetic diversity and morphological stasis in the blind, aquifer-dwelling catfish Horaglanis. VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e98367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The lateritic aquifers of the southern Indian state of Kerala harbour a unique assemblage of enigmatic stygobitic fishes which are encountered very rarely, only when they surface during the digging and cleaning of homestead wells. Here, we focus on one of the most unusual members of this group, the catfish Horaglanis, a genus of rarely-collected, tiny, blind, pigment less, and strictly aquifer-residing species. A six-year exploratory and citizen-science backed survey supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis reveals novel insights into the diversity, distribution and population structure of Horaglanis. The genus is characterized by high levels of intraspecific and interspecific genetic divergence, with phylogenetically distinct species recovered above a 7.0% genetic-distance threshold in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene. Contrasting with this deep genetic divergence, however, is a remarkable stasis in external morphology. We identify and describe a new cryptic species, Horaglanis populi, a lineage that is the sister group of all currently known species. All four species are represented by multiple haplotypes. Mismatch distribution reveals that populations have not experienced recent expansions.
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13
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Duboue ER, Kowalko JE, Keene AC. Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURES) as a pathway to diversify science. Evol Dev 2022; 24:127-130. [PMID: 35971632 PMCID: PMC9888420 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
There is widespread recognition of the need to increase research opportunities in biomedical science for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. Here, we describe the implementation of team-based science combined with intensive mentoring to conduct a large-scale project examining the evolution of behavior. This system can be widely applied in other areas of STEM to promote research-intensive opportunities in STEM fields and to promote diversity in science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik R. Duboue
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Johanna E. Kowalko
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alex C. Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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14
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Oliva C, Hinz NK, Robinson W, Barrett Thompson AM, Booth J, Crisostomo LM, Zanineli S, Tanner M, Lloyd E, O'Gorman M, McDole B, Paz A, Kozol R, Brown EB, Kowalko JE, Fily Y, Duboue ER, Keene AC. Characterizing the genetic basis of trait evolution in the Mexican cavefish. Evol Dev 2022; 24:131-144. [PMID: 35924750 PMCID: PMC9786752 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Evolution in response to a change in ecology often coincides with various morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits. For most organisms little is known about the genetic and functional relationship between evolutionarily derived traits, representing a critical gap in our understanding of adaptation. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, consists of largely independent populations of fish that inhabit at least 30 caves in Northeast Mexico, and a surface fish population, that inhabit the rivers of Mexico and Southern Texas. The recent application of molecular genetic approaches combined with behavioral phenotyping have established A. mexicanus as a model for studying the evolution of complex traits. Cave populations of A. mexicanus are interfertile with surface populations and have evolved numerous traits including eye degeneration, insomnia, albinism, and enhanced mechanosensory function. The interfertility of different populations from the same species provides a unique opportunity to define the genetic relationship between evolved traits and assess the co-evolution of behavioral and morphological traits with one another. To define the relationships between morphological and behavioral traits, we developed a pipeline to test individual fish for multiple traits. This pipeline confirmed differences in locomotor activity, prey capture, and startle reflex between surface and cavefish populations. To measure the relationship between traits, individual F2 hybrid fish were characterized for locomotor behavior, prey-capture behavior, startle reflex, and morphological attributes. Analysis revealed an association between body length and slower escape reflex, suggesting a trade-off between increased size and predator avoidance in cavefish. Overall, there were few associations between individual behavioral traits, or behavioral and morphological traits, suggesting independent genetic changes underlie the evolution of the measured behavioral and morphological traits. Taken together, this approach provides a novel system to identify genetic underpinnings of naturally occurring variation in morphological and behavioral traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Oliva
- NIH U‐RISE ProgramFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | | | - Wayne Robinson
- NIH U‐RISE ProgramFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | | | - Julianna Booth
- NIH U‐RISE ProgramFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | | | | | - Maureen Tanner
- NIH U‐RISE ProgramFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Evan Lloyd
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA,Department of BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
| | - Morgan O'Gorman
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA,Department of BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
| | - Brittnee McDole
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Alexandra Paz
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Rob Kozol
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Elizabeth B. Brown
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Johanna E. Kowalko
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA,Department of Biological SciencesLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Yaouen Fily
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Erik R. Duboue
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Alex C. Keene
- Jupiter Life Science InitiativeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA,Department of BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
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15
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Lloyd E, McDole B, Privat M, Jaggard JB, Duboué ER, Sumbre G, Keene AC. Blind cavefish retain functional connectivity in the tectum despite loss of retinal input. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3720-3730.e3. [PMID: 35926509 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sensory systems display remarkable plasticity and are under strong evolutionary selection. The Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, consists of eyed river-dwelling surface populations and multiple independent cave populations that have converged on eye loss, providing the opportunity to examine the evolution of sensory circuits in response to environmental perturbation. Functional analysis across multiple transgenic populations expressing GCaMP6s showed that functional connectivity of the optic tectum largely did not differ between populations, except for the selective loss of negatively correlated activity within the cavefish tectum, suggesting positively correlated neural activity is resistant to an evolved loss of input from the retina. Furthermore, analysis of surface-cave hybrid fish reveals that changes in the tectum are genetically distinct from those encoding eye loss. Together, these findings uncover the independent evolution of multiple components of the visual system and establish the use of functional imaging in A. mexicanus to study neural circuit evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biological Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Harriet Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Brittnee McDole
- Department of Biological Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Martin Privat
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France
| | - James B Jaggard
- Department of Biological Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Erik R Duboué
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - German Sumbre
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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16
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Perry A, McGaugh SE, Keene AC, Blackmon H. CaveCrawler: an interactive analysis suite for cavefish bioinformatics. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6609176. [PMID: 35708643 PMCID: PMC9339328 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The growing use of genomics in diverse organisms provides the basis for identifying genomic and transcriptional differences across species and experimental conditions. Databases containing genomic and functional data have played critical roles in the development of numerous genetic models but most emerging models lack such databases. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus exists as 2 morphs: surface-dwelling and cave-dwelling. There exist at least 30 cave populations, providing a system to study convergent evolution. We have generated a web-based analysis suite that integrates datasets from different studies to identify how gene transcription and genetic markers of selection differ between populations and across experimental contexts. Results of diverse studies can be analyzed in conjunction with other genetic data (e.g. Gene Ontology information), to enable biological inference from cross-study patterns and identify future avenues of research. Furthermore, the framework that we have built for A. mexicanus can be adapted for other emerging model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Perry
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Suzanne E McGaugh
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Heath Blackmon
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX 77843, USA
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17
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Zalar P, Gubenšek A, Gostincar C, Kostanjšek R, Bizjak-Mali L, Gunde-Cimerman N. Cultivable Skin Mycobiota of Healthy and Diseased Blind Cave Salamander (Proteus anguinus). Front Microbiol 2022; 13:926558. [PMID: 35910647 PMCID: PMC9329069 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.926558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus anguinus is a neotenic cave salamander, endemic to the Dinaric Karst and a symbol of world natural heritage. It is classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is one of the EU priority species in need of strict protection. Due to inaccessibility of their natural underground habitat, scientific studies of the olm have been conducted mainly in captivity, where the amphibians are particularly susceptible to opportunistic microbial infections. In this report, we focused on the diversity of cultivable commensal fungi isolated from the skin of asymptomatic and symptomatic animals obtained from nature (20 specimens) and captivity (22 specimens), as well as from underground water of two karstic caves by direct water filtration and by exposure of keratin-based microbial baits and subsequent isolation from them. In total 244 fungal isolates were recovered from the animals and additional 153 isolates were obtained from water samples. Together, these isolates represented 87 genera and 166 species. Symptomatic animals were colonized by a variety of fungal species, most of them represented by a single isolate, including genera known for their involvement in chromomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and zygomycosis in amphibians: Acremonium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Exophiala, Fusarium, Mucor, Ochroconis, Phialophora and Penicillium. One symptomatic specimen sampled from nature was infected by the oomycete Saprolegnia parasitica, the known causative agent of saprolegniosis. This is the first comprehensive report on cultivable skin mycobiome of this unique amphibian in nature and in captivity, with an emphasis on potentially pathogenic fungi and oomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polona Zalar
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Gubenšek
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cene Gostincar
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Kostanjšek
- Chair of Zoology, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lilijana Bizjak-Mali
- Chair of Zoology, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Nina Gunde-Cimerman,
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18
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Lunsford ET, Paz A, Keene AC, Liao JC. Evolutionary convergence of a neural mechanism in the cavefish lateral line system. eLife 2022; 11:77387. [PMID: 35708234 PMCID: PMC9246366 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals can evolve dramatic sensory functions in response to environmental constraints, but little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying these changes. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, is a leading model to study genetic, behavioral, and physiological evolution by comparing eyed surface populations and blind cave populations. We compared neurophysiological responses of posterior lateral line afferent neurons and motor neurons across A. mexicanus populations to reveal how shifts in sensory function may shape behavioral diversity. These studies indicate differences in intrinsic afferent signaling and gain control across populations. Elevated endogenous afferent activity identified a lower response threshold in the lateral line of blind cavefish relative to surface fish leading to increased evoked potentials during hair cell deflection in cavefish. We next measured the effect of inhibitory corollary discharges from hindbrain efferent neurons onto afferents during locomotion. We discovered that three independently derived cavefish populations have evolved persistent afferent activity during locomotion, suggesting for the first time that partial loss of function in the efferent system can be an evolutionary mechanism for neural adaptation of a vertebrate sensory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias T Lunsford
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Saint Augustine, United States
| | - Alexandra Paz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, United States
| | - Alex C Keene
- Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
| | - James C Liao
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Saint Augustine, United States
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19
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Moran RL, Jaggard JB, Roback EY, Kenzior A, Rohner N, Kowalko JE, Ornelas-García CP, McGaugh SE, Keene AC. Hybridization underlies localized trait evolution in cavefish. iScience 2022; 25:103778. [PMID: 35146393 PMCID: PMC8819016 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introgressive hybridization may play an integral role in local adaptation and speciation (Taylor and Larson, 2019). In the Mexican tetra Astyanax mexicanus, cave populations have repeatedly evolved traits including eye loss, sleep loss, and albinism. Of the 30 caves inhabited by A. mexicanus, Chica cave is unique because it contains multiple pools inhabited by putative hybrids between surface and cave populations (Mitchell et al., 1977), providing an opportunity to investigate the impact of hybridization on complex trait evolution. We show that hybridization between cave and surface populations may contribute to localized variation in traits associated with cave evolution, including pigmentation, eye development, and sleep. We also uncover an example of convergent evolution in a circadian clock gene in multiple cavefish lineages and burrowing mammals, suggesting a shared genetic mechanism underlying circadian disruption in subterranean vertebrates. Our results provide insight into the role of hybridization in facilitating phenotypic evolution. Hybridization leads to a localized difference in sleep duration within a single cave Genomic analysis identifies coding differences in Cry1A across cave pools Changes in Cry1A appear to be conserved in cavefish and burrowing mammals
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20
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Kostanjšek R, Diderichsen B, Recknagel H, Gunde-Cimerman N, Gostinčar C, Fan G, Kordiš D, Trontelj P, Jiang H, Bolund L, Luo Y. Toward the massive genome of Proteus anguinus-illuminating longevity, regeneration, convergent evolution, and metabolic disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1507:5-11. [PMID: 34480358 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering the genetic code of organisms with unusual phenotypes can help answer fundamental biological questions and provide insight into mechanisms relevant to human biomedical research. The cave salamander Proteus anguinus (Urodela: Proteidae), also known as the olm, is an example of a species with unique morphological and physiological adaptations to its subterranean environment, including regenerative abilities, resistance to prolonged starvation, and a life span of more than 100 years. However, the structure and sequence of the olm genome is still largely unknown owing to its enormous size, estimated at nearly 50 gigabases. An international Proteus Genome Research Consortium has been formed to decipher the olm genome. This perspective provides the scientific and biomedical rationale for exploring the olm genome and outlines potential outcomes, challenges, and methodological approaches required to analyze and annotate the genome of this unique amphibian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Kostanjšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Børge Diderichsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hans Recknagel
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
| | - Guangyi Fan
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
| | - Dušan Kordiš
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Trontelj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Lars Bolund
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Yonglun Luo
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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21
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Mammola S, Lunghi E, Bilandžija H, Cardoso P, Grimm V, Schmidt SI, Hesselberg T, Martínez A. Collecting eco-evolutionary data in the dark: Impediments to subterranean research and how to overcome them. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5911-5926. [PMID: 34141192 PMCID: PMC8207145 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Caves and other subterranean habitats fulfill the requirements of experimental model systems to address general questions in ecology and evolution. Yet, the harsh working conditions of these environments and the uniqueness of the subterranean organisms have challenged most attempts to pursuit standardized research.Two main obstacles have synergistically hampered previous attempts. First, there is a habitat impediment related to the objective difficulties of exploring subterranean habitats and our inability to access the network of fissures that represents the elective habitat for the so-called "cave species." Second, there is a biological impediment illustrated by the rarity of most subterranean species and their low physiological tolerance, often limiting sample size and complicating laboratory experiments.We explore the advantages and disadvantages of four general experimental setups (in situ, quasi in situ, ex situ, and in silico) in the light of habitat and biological impediments. We also discuss the potential of indirect approaches to research. Furthermore, using bibliometric data, we provide a quantitative overview of the model organisms that scientists have exploited in the study of subterranean life.Our over-arching goal is to promote caves as model systems where one can perform standardized scientific research. This is important not only to achieve an in-depth understanding of the functioning of subterranean ecosystems but also to fully exploit their long-discussed potential in addressing general scientific questions with implications beyond the boundaries of this discipline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mammola
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe)Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS)University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Dark‐MEG: Molecular Ecology GroupWater Research Institute (IRSA)National Research Council (CNR)VerbaniaItaly
| | - Enrico Lunghi
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and EvolutionInstitute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze“La Specola”FirenzeItaly
| | - Helena Bilandžija
- Department of Molecular BiologyRudjer Boskovic InstituteZagrebCroatia
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe)Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS)University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Volker Grimm
- Department of Ecological ModellingHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZLeipzigGermany
- Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Susanne I. Schmidt
- Institute of HydrobiologyBiology Centre CASČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | | | - Alejandro Martínez
- Dark‐MEG: Molecular Ecology GroupWater Research Institute (IRSA)National Research Council (CNR)VerbaniaItaly
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Little AG, Pamenter ME, Sitaraman D, Templeman NM, Willmore WG, Hedrick MS, Moyes CD. WITHDRAWN: Utilizing comparative models in biomedical research. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 256:110938. [PMID: 33737041 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.110938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Volume 255, 2021, 110593, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110593. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.
The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Divya Sitaraman
- Department of Psychology, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Michael S Hedrick
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA.
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Little AG, Pamenter ME, Sitaraman D, Templeman NM, Willmore WG, Hedrick MS, Moyes CD. Utilizing comparative models in biomedical research. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 255:110593. [PMID: 33779562 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review serves as an introduction to a Special Issue of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, focused on using non-human models to study biomedical physiology. The concept of a model differs across disciplines. For example, several models are used primarily to gain an understanding of specific human pathologies and disease states, whereas other models may be focused on gaining insight into developmental or evolutionary mechanisms. It is often the case that animals initially used to gain knowledge of some unique biochemical or physiological process finds foothold in the biomedical community and becomes an established model. The choice of a particular model for biomedical research is an ongoing process and model validation must keep pace with existing and emerging technologies. While the importance of non-mammalian models, such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Danio rerio and Xenopus laevis, is well known, we also seek to bring attention to emerging alternative models of both invertebrates and vertebrates, which are less established but of interest to the comparative biochemistry and physiology community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Divya Sitaraman
- Department of Psychology, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Michael S Hedrick
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
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Powers AK, Boggs TE, Gross JB. An Asymmetric Genetic Signal Associated with Mechanosensory Expansion in Cave-Adapted Fish. Symmetry (Basel) 2020; 12:1951. [PMID: 33614165 PMCID: PMC7894647 DOI: 10.3390/sym12121951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A key challenge in contemporary biology is connecting genotypic variation to phenotypic diversity. Quantitative genetics provides a powerful technique for identifying regions of the genome that covary with phenotypic variation. Here, we present a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of a natural freshwater fish system, Astyanax mexicanus, that harbors two morphs corresponding to a cave and surface fish. Following their divergence ~500 Kya, cavefish have adapted to the extreme pressures of the subterranean biome. As a consequence, cavefish have lost numerous features, but evolved gains for a variety of constructive features including behavior. Prior work found that sensory tissues (neuromasts) present in the "eye orbit" region of the skull associate with sensitivity to vibrations in water. This augmented sensation is believed to facilitate foraging behavior in the complete darkness of a cave, and may impact on evolved lateral swimming preference. To this point, however, it has remained unclear how morphological variation integrates with behavioral variation through heritable factors. Using a QTL approach, we discovered the genetic architecture of neuromasts present in the eye orbit region, demonstrating that this feature is under genetic control. Interestingly, linked loci were asymmetric-signals were detected using only data collected from the right, but not left, side of the face. This finding may explain enhanced sensitivity and/or feedback of water movements mediating a lateral swimming preference. The locus we discovered based on neuromast position maps near established QTL for eye size and a facial bone morphology, raising the intriguing possibility that eye loss, sensory expansion, and the cranial skeleton may be integrated for evolving adaptive behaviors. Thus, this work will further our understanding of the functional consequence of key loci that influence the evolutionary origin of changes impacting morphology, behavior, and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Powers
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02138, USA
| | - Tyler E. Boggs
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45227, USA
| | - Joshua B. Gross
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45227, USA
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