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Esposito G, Meletiadis A, Sciuto S, Prearo M, Gagliardi F, Corrias I, Pira A, Dondo A, Briguglio P, Ghittino C, Dedola D, Bozzetta E, Acutis PL, Pastorino P, Colussi S. First report of recurrent parthenogenesis as an adaptive reproductive strategy in the endangered common smooth-hound shark Mustelus mustelus. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17171. [PMID: 39060341 PMCID: PMC11282070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67804-1] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Parthenogenesis, or virgin birth, describes a mode of reproduction where an egg develops into an offspring without fertilization, and is observed across various vertebrate taxa, excluding mammals. Obligate parthenogenesis, found in around 100 vertebrate species and 1000 invertebrate species, is relatively rare. Conversely, facultative parthenogenesis, where females can reproduce both sexually and parthenogenetically, is observed in some vertebrates, including elasmobranchs. Notably, this phenomenon in elasmobranchs is mainly documented in captivity, allowing for detailed long-term observation. Specifically, this study reports the first case of facultative parthenogenesis in the common smooth-hound shark Mustelus mustelus, a species classified by IUCN as endangered. Here we show that the juvenile M. mustelus were born through parthenogenesis, exhibiting homozygosity at each genetic marker, consistent with terminal fusion automixis. Remarkably, this finding reveals that parthenogenesis can occur annually in these sharks, alternating between two females, and conclusively excludes long-term sperm storage as a cause. Consequently, this enhances our understanding of parthenogenesis in elasmobranchs and highlights the reproductive flexibility of M. mustelus. Overall, these results contribute to our broader understanding of reproductive strategies in elasmobranchs, which could inform conservation efforts for endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Esposito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy.
| | - Arianna Meletiadis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Sciuto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Marino Prearo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Flavio Gagliardi
- Panaque S.R.L. - Acquario Di Cala Gonone, Via La Favorita Snc, 08022, Cala Gonone, Dorgali, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corrias
- Panaque S.R.L. - Acquario Di Cala Gonone, Via La Favorita Snc, 08022, Cala Gonone, Dorgali, Italy
| | - Angela Pira
- Panaque S.R.L. - Acquario Di Cala Gonone, Via La Favorita Snc, 08022, Cala Gonone, Dorgali, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dondo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Briguglio
- Clinica Veterinaria Duemari, Via Cagliari 313, 09170, Oristano, Italy
| | - Claudio Ghittino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Daniele Dedola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sardegna, Via Duca Degli Abruzzi 8, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Elena Bozzetta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Acutis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Pastorino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy.
| | - Silvia Colussi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy
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2
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Dedukh D, Marta A, Myung RY, Ko MH, Choi DS, Won YJ, Janko K. A cyclical switch of gametogenic pathways in hybrids depends on the ploidy level. Commun Biol 2024; 7:424. [PMID: 38589507 PMCID: PMC11001910 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05948-6] [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: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The cellular and molecular mechanisms governing sexual reproduction are conserved across eukaryotes. Nevertheless, hybridization can disrupt these mechanisms, leading to asexual reproduction, often accompanied by polyploidy. In this study, we investigate how ploidy level and ratio of parental genomes in hybrids affect their reproductive mode. We analyze the gametogenesis of sexual species and their diploid and triploid hybrids from the freshwater fish family Cobitidae, using newly developed cytogenetic markers. We find that diploid hybrid females possess oogonia and oocytes with original (diploid) and duplicated (tetraploid) ploidy. Diploid oocytes cannot progress beyond pachytene due to aberrant pairing. However, tetraploid oocytes, which emerge after premeiotic genome endoreplication, exhibit normal pairing and result in diploid gametes. Triploid hybrid females possess diploid, triploid, and haploid oogonia and oocytes. Triploid and haploid oocytes cannot progress beyond pachytene checkpoint due to aberrant chromosome pairing, while diploid oocytes have normal pairing in meiosis, resulting in haploid gametes. Diploid oocytes emerge after premeiotic elimination of a single-copied genome. Triploid hybrid males are sterile due to aberrant pairing and the failure of chromosomal segregation during meiotic divisions. Thus, changes in ploidy and genome dosage may lead to cyclical alteration of gametogenic pathways in hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrij Dedukh
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, Liběchov, Czech Republic.
| | - Anatolie Marta
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Ra-Yeon Myung
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Da-Song Choi
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-Jin Won
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Karel Janko
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, Liběchov, Czech Republic.
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
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3
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Maldonado JA, Firneno TJ, Hall AS, Fujita MK. Parthenogenesis doubles the rate of amino acid substitution in whiptail mitochondria. Evolution 2022; 76:1434-1442. [PMID: 35580923 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is ubiquitous in the natural world, suggesting that sex must have extensive benefits to overcome the cost of males compared to asexual reproduction. One hypothesized advantage of sex with strong theoretical support is that sex plays a role in removing deleterious mutations from the genome. Theory predicts that transitions to asexuality should lead to the suppression of recombination and segregation and, in turn, weakened natural selection, allowing for the accumulation of slightly deleterious mutations. We tested this prediction by estimating the dN/dS ratios in asexual vertebrate lineages in the genus Aspidoscelis using whole mitochondrial genomes from seven asexual and five sexual species. We found higher dN/dS ratios in asexual Aspidoscelis species, indicating that asexual whiptails accumulate nonsynonymous substitutions due to weaker purifying selection. Additionally, we estimated nucleotide diversity and found that asexuals harbor significantly less diversity. Thus, despite their recent origins, slightly deleterious mutations accumulated rapidly enough in asexual lineages to be detected. We provide empirical evidence to corroborate the connection between asexuality and increased amino acid substitutions in asexual vertebrate lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Maldonado
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas J Firneno
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Alexander S Hall
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew K Fujita
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, Department of Biology, The University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
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4
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Dedukh D, Altmanová M, Klíma J, Kratochvíl L. Premeiotic endoreplication is essential for obligate parthenogenesis in geckos. Development 2022; 149:274975. [PMID: 35388415 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Obligate parthenogenesis evolved in reptiles convergently several times, mainly through interspecific hybridization. The obligate parthenogenetic complexes typically include both diploid and triploid lineages. Offspring of parthenogenetic hybrids are genetic copies of their mother; however, the cellular mechanism enabling the production of unreduced cells is largely unknown. Here, we show that oocytes go through meiosis in three widespread, or even strongly invasive, obligate parthenogenetic complexes of geckos, namely in diploid and triploid Lepidodactylus lugubris, and triploid Hemiphyllodactylus typus and Heteronotia binoei. In all four lineages, the majority of oocytes enter the pachytene at the original ploidy level, but their chromosomes cannot pair properly and instead form univalents, bivalents and multivalents. Unreduced eggs with clonally inherited genomes are formed from germ cells that had undergone premeiotic endoreplication, in which appropriate segregation is ensured by the formation of bivalents made from copies of identical chromosomes. We conclude that the induction of premeiotic endoreplication in reptiles was independently co-opted at least four times as an essential component of parthenogenetic reproduction and that this mechanism enables the emergence of fertile polyploid lineages within parthenogenetic complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrij Dedukh
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Altmanová
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Klíma
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Kratochvíl
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
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5
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Dedukh D, da Cruz I, Kneitz S, Marta A, Ormanns J, Tichopád T, Lu Y, Alsheimer M, Janko K, Schartl M. Achiasmatic meiosis in the unisexual Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa. Chromosome Res 2022; 30:443-457. [PMID: 36459298 PMCID: PMC9771850 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-022-09708-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Unisexual reproduction, which generates clonal offspring, is an alternative strategy to sexual breeding and occurs even in vertebrates. A wide range of non-sexual reproductive modes have been described, and one of the least understood questions is how such pathways emerged and how they mechanistically proceed. The Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa, needs sperm from males of related species to trigger the parthenogenetic development of diploid eggs. However, the mechanism, of how the unreduced female gametes are produced, remains unclear. Cytological analyses revealed that the chromosomes of primary oocytes initiate pachytene but do not proceed to bivalent formation and meiotic crossovers. Comparing ovary transcriptomes of P. formosa and its sexual parental species revealed expression levels of meiosis-specific genes deviating from P. mexicana but not from P. latipinna. Furthermore, several meiosis genes show biased expression towards one of the two alleles from the parental genomes. We infer from our data that in the Amazon molly diploid oocytes are generated by apomixis due to a failure in the synapsis of homologous chromosomes. The fact that this failure is not reflected in the differential expression of known meiosis genes suggests the underlying molecular mechanism may be dysregulation on the protein level or misexpression of a so far unknown meiosis gene, and/or hybrid dysgenesis because of compromised interaction of proteins from diverged genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrij Dedukh
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, 277 21 Czech Republic
| | - Irene da Cruz
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kneitz
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Anatolie Marta
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, 277 21 Czech Republic ,Institute of Zoology, Academiei 1, 2001, MD-2028 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Jenny Ormanns
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Tomáš Tichopád
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, 277 21 Czech Republic ,Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Yuan Lu
- Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666 USA
| | - Manfred Alsheimer
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 BiocenterWuerzburg, Germany
| | - Karel Janko
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, 277 21 Czech Republic ,Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany ,Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666 USA
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6
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Stöck M, Dedukh D, Reifová R, Lamatsch DK, Starostová Z, Janko K. Sex chromosomes in meiotic, hemiclonal, clonal and polyploid hybrid vertebrates: along the 'extended speciation continuum'. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200103. [PMID: 34304588 PMCID: PMC8310718 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We review knowledge about the roles of sex chromosomes in vertebrate hybridization and speciation, exploring a gradient of divergences with increasing reproductive isolation (speciation continuum). Under early divergence, well-differentiated sex chromosomes in meiotic hybrids may cause Haldane-effects and introgress less easily than autosomes. Undifferentiated sex chromosomes are more susceptible to introgression and form multiple (or new) sex chromosome systems with hardly predictable dominance hierarchies. Under increased divergence, most vertebrates reach complete intrinsic reproductive isolation. Slightly earlier, some hybrids (linked in 'the extended speciation continuum') exhibit aberrant gametogenesis, leading towards female clonality. This facilitates the evolution of various allodiploid and allopolyploid clonal ('asexual') hybrid vertebrates, where 'asexuality' might be a form of intrinsic reproductive isolation. A comprehensive list of 'asexual' hybrid vertebrates shows that they all evolved from parents with divergences that were greater than at the intraspecific level (K2P-distances of greater than 5-22% based on mtDNA). These 'asexual' taxa inherited genetic sex determination by mostly undifferentiated sex chromosomes. Among the few known sex-determining systems in hybrid 'asexuals', female heterogamety (ZW) occurred about twice as often as male heterogamety (XY). We hypothesize that pre-/meiotic aberrations in all-female ZW-hybrids present Haldane-effects promoting their evolution. Understanding the preconditions to produce various clonal or meiotic allopolyploids appears crucial for insights into the evolution of sex, 'asexuality' and polyploidy. This article is part of the theme issue 'Challenging the paradigm in sex chromosome evolution: empirical and theoretical insights with a focus on vertebrates (Part II)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Stöck
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries - IGB (Forschungsverbund Berlin), Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Dmitrij Dedukh
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Laboratory of Fish Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, 277 21 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Dunja K. Lamatsch
- Research Department for Limnology, University of Innsbruck, Mondseestrasse 9, A-5310 Mondsee, Austria
| | - Zuzana Starostová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Janko
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Laboratory of Fish Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, 277 21 Libechov, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 701 03 Ostrava, Czech Republic
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7
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Kupriyanova LA, Safronova LD, Sycheva VB, Danielyan FD, Petrosyan VG. Oogenesis (Prophase 1 of Meiosis) and Mitotic Chromosomes of Parthenogenetic Species Darevskia armeniaca (Family Lacertidae). BIOL BULL+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359021030080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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8
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Starck JM, Stewart JR, Blackburn DG. Phylogeny and evolutionary history of the amniote egg. J Morphol 2021; 282:1080-1122. [PMID: 33991358 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We review morphological features of the amniote egg and embryos in a comparative phylogenetic framework, including all major clades of extant vertebrates. We discuss 40 characters that are relevant for an analysis of the evolutionary history of the vertebrate egg. Special attention is given to the morphology of the cellular yolk sac, the eggshell, and extraembryonic membranes. Many features that are typically assigned to amniotes, such as a large yolk sac, delayed egg deposition, and terrestrial reproduction have evolved independently and convergently in numerous clades of vertebrates. We use phylogenetic character mapping and ancestral character state reconstruction as tools to recognize sequence, order, and patterns of morphological evolution and deduce a hypothesis of the evolutionary history of the amniote egg. Besides amnion and chorioallantois, amniotes ancestrally possess copulatory organs (secondarily reduced in most birds), internal fertilization, and delayed deposition of eggs that contain an embryo in the primitive streak or early somite stage. Except for the amnion, chorioallantois, and amniote type of eggshell, these features evolved convergently in almost all major clades of aquatic vertebrates possibly in response to selective factors such as egg predation, hostile environmental conditions for egg development, or to adjust hatching of young to favorable season. A functionally important feature of the amnion membrane is its myogenic contractility that moves the (early) embryo and prevents adhering of the growing embryo to extraembryonic materials. This function of the amnion membrane and the liquid-filled amnion cavity may have evolved under the requirements of delayed deposition of eggs that contain developing embryos. The chorioallantois is a temporary embryonic exchange organ that supports embryonic development. A possible evolutionary scenario is that the amniote egg presents an exaptation that paved the evolutionary pathway for reproduction on land. As shown by numerous examples from anamniotes, reproduction on land has occurred multiple times among vertebrates-the amniote egg presenting one "solution" that enabled the conquest of land for reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Matthias Starck
- Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - James R Stewart
- Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
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9
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Fujita MK, Singhal S, Brunes TO, Maldonado JA. Evolutionary Dynamics and Consequences of Parthenogenesis in Vertebrates. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-011720-114900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Parthenogenesis is asexual reproduction without any required participation from males and, as such, is a null model for sexual reproduction. In a comparative context, we can expand our understanding of the evolution and ecology of sex by investigating the consequences of parthenogenesis. In this review, we examine the theoretical predictions of and empirical results on the evolution of asexual reproduction in vertebrates, focusing on recent studies addressing the origins and geographic spread of parthenogenetic lineages and the genomic consequences of an asexual life history. With advances in computational methods and genome technologies, researchers are poised to make rapid and significant progress in studying the origin and evolution of parthenogenesis in vertebrates, thus providing an important perspective on understanding biodiversity patterns of both asexual and sexual populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K. Fujita
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center and Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
| | - Sonal Singhal
- Department of Biology, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, California 90747, USA
| | - Tuliana O. Brunes
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Jose A. Maldonado
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center and Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
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10
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Lin JW, Chen YR, Li TW, Shaner PJL, Lin SM. Long-term monitoring reveals invariant clutch size and unequal reproductive costs between sexes in a subtropical lacertid lizard. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2020; 6:1. [PMID: 31921441 PMCID: PMC6945589 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-019-0152-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Based on 20,000 records representing c. 11,000 individuals from an 8-year capture-mark-recapture (CMR) study, we tested and confirmed a new case of invariant clutch size (ICS) in a sexually dichromatic lacertid lizard, Takydromus viridipunctatus. In the grassland habitat of the early succession stage, females showed strictly low and invariant clutch size, multiple clutches in a breeding season, high reproductive potential, and annual breeding cycles that correspond to the emergence of male courtship coloration. The hatchlings mature quickly, and join the adult cohort for breeding within a few months, whereas adults show low survival rates and a short lifespan, such that most die within one year. Mortality increased in both sexes during the breeding season, especially in females, indicating an unequal cost of reproduction in survival. These life history characters may be explained by two non-exclusive hypotheses of ICS-arboreal hypothesis and predation hypothesis-within the ecological context of their habitat. Our study highlights a confirmed case of ICS, which adapts well to this r-selected grassland habitat that experiences seasonal fluctuation and frequent disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhan-Wei Lin
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biology, National Museum of Natural Science, No. 1, Guanqian Rd., Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Rong Chen
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Wen Li
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jen L. Shaner
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Si-Min Lin
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Sec. 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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12
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Habitat Loss and Local Extinction: Linking Population Declines of Eastern Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) to Habitat Degradation in Ozark Glades. J HERPETOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1670/18-002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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13
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Levitis DA, Zimmerman K, Pringle A. Is meiosis a fundamental cause of inviability among sexual and asexual plants and animals? Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20170939. [PMID: 28768890 PMCID: PMC5563809 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in viability between asexually and sexually generated offspring strongly influence the selective advantage and therefore the prevalence of sexual reproduction (sex). However, no general principle predicts when sexual offspring will be more viable than asexual offspring. We hypothesize that when any kind of reproduction is based on a more complex cellular process, it will encompass more potential failure points, and therefore lower offspring viability. Asexual reproduction (asex) can be simpler than sex, when offspring are generated using only mitosis. However, when asex includes meiosis and meiotic restitution, gamete production is more complex than in sex. We test our hypothesis by comparing the viability of asexual and closely related sexual offspring across a wide range of plants and animals, and demonstrate that meiotic asex does result in lower viability than sex; without meiosis, asex is mechanistically simple and provides higher viability than sex. This phylogenetically robust pattern is supported in 42 of 44 comparisons drawn from diverse plants and animals, and is not explained by the other variables included in our model. Other mechanisms may impact viability, such as effects of reproductive mode on heterozygosity and subsequent viability, but we propose the complexity of cellular processes of reproduction, particularly meiosis, as a fundamental cause of early developmental failure and mortality. Meiosis, the leading cause of inviability in humans, emerges as a likely explanation of offspring inviability among diverse eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Levitis
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Biology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA
| | - Kolea Zimmerman
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Ginkgo Bioworks, 25-27 Drydock Avenue 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Anne Pringle
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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14
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Parker ED. PHENOTYPIC CONSEQUENCES OF PARTHENOGENESIS IN CNEMIDOPHORUS LIZARDS. I. VARIABILITY IN PARTHENOGENETIC AND SEXUAL POPULATIONS. Evolution 2017; 33:1150-1166. [PMID: 28563919 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1979.tb04769.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/1978] [Revised: 03/05/1979] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E Davis Parker
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y., 14627
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15
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Parker ED, Selander RK, Hudson RO, Lester LJ. GENETIC DIVERSITY IN COLONIZING PARTHENOGENETIC COCKROACHES. Evolution 2017; 31:836-842. [PMID: 28563714 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1977.tb01076.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/1976] [Revised: 01/20/1977] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Davis Parker
- Department of Biology University of Rochester Rochester New York 14627
| | | | - Robert O. Hudson
- Department of Biology University of Rochester Rochester New York 14627
| | - L. J. Lester
- Department of Biology University of Rochester Rochester New York 14627
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16
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Parker ED. PHENOTYPIC CONSEQUENCES OF PARTHENOGENESIS IN
CNEMIDOPHORUS
LIZARDS. II. SIMILARITY OF
C. TESSELATUS
TO ITS SEXUAL PARENTAL SPECIES. Evolution 2017; 33:1167-1179. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1979.tb04770.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/1978] [Revised: 03/05/1979] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Davis Parker
- Department of Biology University of Rochester Rochester N.Y. 14627
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17
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Moritz C, Donnellan S, Adams M, Baverstock PR. THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF PARTHENOGENESIS INHETERONOTIA BINOEI(GEKKONIDAE): EXTENSIVE GENOTYPIC DIVERSITY AMONG PARTHENOGENS. Evolution 2017; 43:994-1003. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1989.tb02545.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/1988] [Accepted: 02/17/1989] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Moritz
- Department of Zoology; University of Queensland; St. Lucia QLD 4067 AUSTRALIA
| | - S. Donnellan
- Evolutionary Biology Unit; South Australian Museum; North Terrace Adelaide SA 5001 AUSTRALIA
| | - M. Adams
- Evolutionary Biology Unit; South Australian Museum; North Terrace Adelaide SA 5001 AUSTRALIA
| | - P. R. Baverstock
- Evolutionary Biology Unit; South Australian Museum; North Terrace Adelaide SA 5001 AUSTRALIA
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18
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Spangenberg V, Arakelyan M, Galoyan E, Matveevsky S, Petrosyan R, Bogdanov Y, Danielyan F, Kolomiets O. Reticulate Evolution of the Rock Lizards: Meiotic Chromosome Dynamics and Spermatogenesis in Diploid and Triploid Males of the Genus Darevskia. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E149. [PMID: 28538689 PMCID: PMC5485513 DOI: 10.3390/genes8060149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowing whether triploid hybrids resulting from natural hybridization of parthenogenetic and bisexual species are fertile is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of reticulate evolution in rock lizards. Here, using males of the bisexual diploid rock lizard species Darevskia raddei nairensis and Darevskia valentini and a triploid hybrid male Darevskia unisexualis × Darevskia valentini, we performed karyotyping and comparative immunocytochemistry of chromosome synapsis and investigated the distribution of RAD51 and MLH1 foci in spread spermatocyte nuclei in meiotic prophase I. Three chromosome sets were found to occur in cell nuclei in the D. unisexualis × D. valentini hybrid, two originating from a parthenogenetic D. unisexualis female and one from the D. valentini male. Despite this distorted chromosome synapsis and incomplete double-strand breaks repair in meiotic prophase I, the number of mismatch repair foci in the triploid hybrid was enough to pass through both meiotic divisions. The defects in synapsis and repair did not arrest meiosis or spermatogenesis. Numerous abnormal mature spermatids were observed in the testes of the studied hybrid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Spangenberg
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Marine Arakelyan
- Department of Zoology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
| | - Eduard Galoyan
- Zoological Museum, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 125009, Russia.
| | - Sergey Matveevsky
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Ruzanna Petrosyan
- Department of Zoology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
| | - Yuri Bogdanov
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Felix Danielyan
- Department of Zoology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia.
| | - Oxana Kolomiets
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia.
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19
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Tarkhnishvili D, Murtskhvaladze M, Anderson CL. Coincidence of genotypes at two loci in two parthenogenetic rock lizards: how backcrosses might trigger adaptive speciation. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blw046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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20
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Newton AA, Schnittker RR, Yu Z, Munday SS, Baumann DP, Neaves WB, Baumann P. Widespread failure to complete meiosis does not impair fecundity in parthenogenetic whiptail lizards. Development 2016; 143:4486-4494. [PMID: 27802173 PMCID: PMC5201048 DOI: 10.1242/dev.141283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Parthenogenetic species of whiptail lizards in the genus Aspidoscelis constitute a striking example of speciation by hybridization, in which first-generation hybrids instantly attain reproductive isolation and procreate as clonal all-female lineages. Production of eggs containing a full complement of chromosomes in the absence of fertilization involves genome duplication prior to the meiotic divisions. In these pseudo-tetraploid oocytes, pairing and recombination occur exclusively between identical chromosomes instead of homologs; a deviation from the normal meiotic program that maintains heterozygosity. Whether pseudo-tetraploid cells arise early in germ cell development or just prior to meiosis has remained unclear. We now show that in the obligate parthenogenetic species A. neomexicana the vast majority of oocytes enter meiosis as diploid cells. Telomere bouquet formation is normal, but synapsis fails and oocytes accumulate in large numbers at the pairing stage. Pseudo-tetraploid cells are exceedingly rare in early meiotic prophase, but they are the only cells that progress into diplotene. Despite the widespread failure to increase ploidy prior to entering meiosis, the fecundity of parthenogenetic A. neomexicana is similar to that of A. inornata, one of its bisexual ancestors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracely A Newton
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | | | - Zulin Yu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Sarah S Munday
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Diana P Baumann
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - William B Neaves
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Peter Baumann
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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21
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Bogart JP, Bi K. Genetic and genomic interactions of animals with different ploidy levels. Cytogenet Genome Res 2013; 140:117-36. [PMID: 23751376 DOI: 10.1159/000351593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyploid animals have independently evolved from diploids in diverse taxa across the tree of life. We review a few polyploid animal species or biotypes where recently developed molecular and cytogenetic methods have significantly improved our understanding of their genetics, reproduction and evolution. Mitochondrial sequences that target the maternal ancestor of a polyploid show that polyploids may have single (e.g. unisexual salamanders in the genus Ambystoma) or multiple (e.g. parthenogenetic polyploid lizards in the genus Aspidoscelis) origins. Microsatellites are nuclear markers that can be used to analyze genetic recombinations, reproductive modes (e.g. Ambystoma) and recombination events (e.g. polyploid frogs such as Pelophylax esculentus). Hom(e)ologous chromosomes and rare intergenomic exchanges in allopolyploids have been distinguished by applying genome-specific fluorescent probes to chromosome spreads. Polyploids arise, and are maintained, through perturbations of the 'normal' meiotic program that would include pre-meiotic chromosome replication and genomic integrity of homologs. When possible, asexual, unisexual and bisexual polyploid species or biotypes interact with diploid relatives, and genes are passed from diploid to polyploid gene pools, which increase genetic diversity and ultimately evolutionary flexibility in the polyploid. When diploid relatives do not exist, polyploids can interact with another polyploid (e.g. species of African Clawed Frogs in the genus Xenopus). Some polyploid fish (e.g. salmonids) and frogs (Xenopus) represent independent lineages whose ancestors experienced whole genome duplication events. Some tetraploid frogs (P. esculentus) and fish (Squaliusalburnoides) may be in the process of becoming independent species, but diploid and triploid forms of these 'species' continue to genetically interact with the comparatively few tetraploid populations. Genetic and genomic interaction between polyploids and diploids is a complex and dynamic process that likely plays a crucial role for the evolution and persistence of polyploid animals. See also other articles in this themed issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Bogart
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada. jbogart @ uoguelph.ca
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22
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De Storme N, Geelen D. Pre-meiotic endomitosis in the cytokinesis-defective tomato mutant pmcd1 generates tetraploid meiocytes and diploid gametes. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2013; 64:2345-58. [PMID: 23580753 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ert091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Sexual polyploidization through the formation and functioning of 2n gametes is considered a major route for plant speciation and diversification. The cellular mechanism underlying 2n gamete formation mostly involves a restitution of the meiotic cell cycle, generating dyads and triads instead of tetrad meiotic end-products. As an alternative mechanism, the tomato mutant pmcd1 (for pre-meiotic cytokinesis defect 1), which generates diploid gametes through the ectopic induction of pre-meiotic endomitosis, is presented here. Using cytological approaches, it is demonstrated that male pmcd1 meiocyte initials exhibit clear alterations in cell cycle progression and cell plate formation, and consequently form syncytial cells that display different grades of cellular and/or nuclear fusion. In addition, it was found that other somatic tissue types (e.g. cotyledons and petals) also display occasional defects in cell wall formation and exhibit alterations in callose deposition, indicating that pmcd1 has a general defect in cell plate formation, most probably caused by alterations in callose biosynthesis. In a broader perspective, these findings demonstrate that defects in cytokinesis and cell plate formation may constitute a putative route for diplogamete formation and sexual polyploidization in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico De Storme
- In vitro Biology and Horticulture, Department of Plant Production, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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23
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De Storme N, Geelen D. Sexual polyploidization in plants--cytological mechanisms and molecular regulation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2013; 198:670-684. [PMID: 23421646 PMCID: PMC3744767 DOI: 10.1111/nph.12184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2012] [Accepted: 01/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In the plant kingdom, events of whole genome duplication or polyploidization are generally believed to occur via alterations of the sexual reproduction process. Thereby, diploid pollen and eggs are formed that contain the somatic number of chromosomes rather than the gametophytic number. By participating in fertilization, these so-called 2n gametes generate polyploid offspring and therefore constitute the basis for the establishment of polyploidy in plants. In addition, diplogamete formation, through meiotic restitution, is an essential component of apomixis and also serves as an important mechanism for the restoration of F1 hybrid fertility. Characterization of the cytological mechanisms and molecular factors underlying 2n gamete formation is therefore not only relevant for basic plant biology and evolution, but may also provide valuable cues for agricultural and biotechnological applications (e.g. reverse breeding, clonal seeds). Recent data have provided novel insights into the process of 2n pollen and egg formation and have revealed multiple means to the same end. Here, we summarize the cytological mechanisms and molecular regulatory networks underlying 2n gamete formation, and outline important mitotic and meiotic processes involved in the ectopic induction of sexual polyploidization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico De Storme
- Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Danny Geelen
- Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Gent, Belgium
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24
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Stenberg P, Saura A. Meiosis and Its Deviations in Polyploid Animals. Cytogenet Genome Res 2013; 140:185-203. [DOI: 10.1159/000351731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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25
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Taylor HL, Cole CJ, Manning GJ, Cordes JE, Walker JM. Comparative Meristic Variability in Whiptail Lizards (Teiidae,Aspidoscelis): Samples of ParthenogeneticA. tesselataVersus Samples of Sexually ReproducingA. sexlineata, A. marmorata, andA. gularis septemvittata. AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES 2012. [DOI: 10.1206/3744.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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26
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Sites JW, Reeder TW, Wiens JJ. Phylogenetic Insights on Evolutionary Novelties in Lizards and Snakes: Sex, Birth, Bodies, Niches, and Venom. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2011. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102710-145051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jack W. Sites
- Department of Biology and Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602-5181;
| | - Tod W. Reeder
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182-4614;
| | - John J. Wiens
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5245;
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27
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Laboratory synthesis of an independently reproducing vertebrate species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:9910-5. [PMID: 21543715 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102811108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Speciation in animals commonly involves an extrinsic barrier to genetic exchange followed by the accumulation of sufficient genetic variation to impede subsequent productive interbreeding. All-female species of whiptail lizards, which originated by interspecific hybridization between sexual progenitors, are an exception to this rule. Here, the arising species instantaneously acquires a novel genotype combining distinctive alleles from two different species, and reproduction by parthenogenesis constitutes an effective intrinsic barrier to genetic exchange. Fertilization of diploid parthenogenetic females by males of sexual species has produced several triploid species, but these instantaneous speciation events have neither been observed in nature nor have they been reconstituted in the laboratory. Here we report the generation of four self-sustaining clonal lineages of a tetraploid species resulting from fertilization of triploid oocytes from a parthenogenetic Aspidoscelis exsanguis with haploid sperm from Aspidoscelis inornata. Molecular and cytological analysis confirmed the genetic identity of the hybrids and revealed that the females retain the capability of parthenogenetic reproduction characteristic of their triploid mothers. The tetraploid females have established self-perpetuating clonal lineages which are now in the third generation. Our results confirm the hypothesis that secondary hybridization events can lead to asexual lineages of increased ploidy when favorable combinations of parental genomes are assembled. We anticipate that these animals will be a critical tool in understanding the mechanisms underlying the origin and subsequent evolution of asexual amniotes.
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28
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Unisexual reproduction among vertebrates. Trends Genet 2011; 27:81-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2010.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Revised: 12/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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29
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Crews D, Fitzgerald KT. "Sexual" behavior in parthenogenetic lizards (Cnemidophorus). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 77:499-502. [PMID: 16592761 PMCID: PMC348299 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.77.1.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
All-female, parthenogenetic species afford a unique test of hypotheses regarding the nature and evolution of sexuality. Basic data on the behavior of parthenogens are lacking, however. We have discovered, from observations of captive Cnemidophorus uniparens, C. velox, and C. tesselatus, behavior patterns remarkably similar to the courtship and copulatory behavior of closely related sexual species. Briefly, in separately housed pairs, one lizard was repeatedly seen to mount and ride its cagemate and appose the cloacal regions. Dissection or palpation revealed that, in each instance, the courted animal was reproductively active, having ovaries containing large, preovulatory follicles, while the courting animal was either reproductively inactive or postovulatory, having ovaries containing only small, undeveloped follicles. These observations are significant for the questions they raise. For example, is this behavior a nonfunctional vestige of the species' ancestry, or is this behavior necessary for successful reproduction in the species (e.g., by priming reproductive neuroendocrine mechanisms as has been demonstrated in sexual species)?
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Affiliation(s)
- D Crews
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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30
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Jones RE, Propper CR, Rand MS, Austin HB. Loss of Nesting Behavior and the Evolution of Viviparity in Reptiles. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1991.tb00287.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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31
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Probing the meiotic mechanism of intergenomic exchanges by genomic in situ hybridization on lampbrush chromosomes of unisexual Ambystoma (Amphibia: Caudata). Chromosome Res 2010; 18:371-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s10577-010-9121-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Revised: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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32
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Gamble T. A review of sex determining mechanisms in geckos (Gekkota: Squamata). Sex Dev 2010; 4:88-103. [PMID: 20234154 PMCID: PMC2855288 DOI: 10.1159/000289578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Geckos are a species-rich clade of reptiles possessing diverse sex determining mechanisms. Some species possess genetic sex determination, with both male and female heterogamety, while other species have temperature-dependent sex determination. I compiled information from the literature on the taxonomic distribution of these sex determining mechanisms in geckos. Using phylogenetic data from the literature, I reconstructed the minimum number of transitions among these sex determining mechanisms with parsimony-based ancestral state reconstruction. While only a small number of gecko species have been characterized, numerous changes among sex determining mechanisms were inferred. This diversity, coupled with the high frequency of transitions, makes geckos excellent candidates as a model clade for the study of vertebrate sex determination and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Gamble
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., USA
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33
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Sister chromosome pairing maintains heterozygosity in parthenogenetic lizards. Nature 2010; 464:283-6. [PMID: 20173738 PMCID: PMC2840635 DOI: 10.1038/nature08818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2009] [Accepted: 01/06/2010] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Although bisexual reproduction has proven to be highly successful, parthenogenetic all-female populations occur frequently in certain taxa, including the whiptail lizards of the genus Aspidoscelis. Allozyme analysis revealed a high degree of fixed heterozygosity in these parthenogenetic species, supporting the view that they originated from hybridization events between related sexual species. It has remained unclear how the meiotic program is altered to produce diploid eggs while maintaining heterozygosity. Here we show that meiosis commences with twice the number of chromosomes in parthenogenetic versus sexual species, a mechanism that provides the basis for generating gametes with unreduced chromosome content without fundamental deviation from the classic meiotic program. Our observation of synaptonemal complexes and chiasmata demonstrate that a typical meiotic program occurs and that heterozygosity is not maintained by bypassing recombination. Instead, fluorescent in situ hybridization probes that distinguish between homologues reveal that bivalents form between sister chromosomes, the genetically identical products of the first of two premeiotic replication cycles. Sister chromosome pairing provides a mechanism for the maintenance of heterozygosity, which is critical for offsetting the reduced fitness associated with the lack of genetic diversity in parthenogenetic species.
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34
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Sinclair EA, Pramuk JB, Bezy RL, Crandall KA, Sites Jr JW. DNA EVIDENCE FOR NONHYBRID ORIGINS OF PARTHENOGENESIS IN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF VERTEBRATES. Evolution 2009; 64:1346-57. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00893.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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35
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36
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37
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38
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Abstract
A number of major adaptations in animals have been mediated by alteration of germ cells and their immediate derivatives, the gametes. Here, several such cases are discussed, including examples from echinoderms, vertebrates, insects, and nematodes. A feature of germ cells that make their development (and hence evolution) distinct from the soma is the prominent role played by posttranscriptional controls of mRNA translation in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. This presents a number of special challenges for investigation of the evolution of germline development. Caenorhabditis nematodes represent a particularly favorable system for addressing these challenges, both because of technical advantages and (most importantly) because of natural variation in mating system that is rooted in alterations of germline sex determination. Recent studies that employ comparative genetic methods in this rapidly maturing system are discussed, and likely areas for future progress are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Haag
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, phone: 301-405-8534, fax: 301-314-9358
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39
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Noro M, Uejima A, Abe G, Manabe M, Tamura K. Normal developmental stages of the Madagascar ground geckoParoedura pictuswith special reference to limb morphogenesis. Dev Dyn 2009; 238:100-9. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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40
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41
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Li XC, Barringer BC, Barbash DA. The pachytene checkpoint and its relationship to evolutionary patterns of polyploidization and hybrid sterility. Heredity (Edinb) 2008; 102:24-30. [PMID: 18766201 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2008.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterility is a commonly observed phenotype in interspecific hybrids. Sterility may result from chromosomal or genic incompatibilities, and much progress has been made toward understanding the genetic basis of hybrid sterility in various taxa. The underlying mechanisms causing hybrid sterility, however, are less well known. The pachytene checkpoint is a meiotic surveillance system that many organisms use to detect aberrant meiotic products, in order to prevent the production of defective gametes. We suggest that activation of the pachytene checkpoint may be an important mechanism contributing to two types of hybrid sterility. First, the pachytene checkpoint may form the mechanistic basis of some gene-based hybrid sterility phenotypes. Second, the pachytene checkpoint may be an important mechanism that mediates chromosomal-based hybrid sterility phenotypes involving gametes with non-haploid (either non-reduced or aneuploid) chromosome sets. Studies in several species suggest that the strength of the pachytene checkpoint is sexually dimorphic, observations that warrant future investigation into whether such variation may contribute to differences in patterns of sterility between male and female interspecific hybrids. In addition, plants seem to lack the pachytene checkpoint, which correlates with increased production of unreduced gametes and a higher incidence of polyploid species in plants versus animals. Although the pachytene checkpoint occurs in many animals and in fungi, at least some of the genes that execute the pachytene checkpoint are different among organisms. This finding suggests that the penetrance of the pachytene checkpoint, and even its presence or absence can evolve rapidly. The surprising degree of evolutionary flexibility in this meiotic surveillance system may contribute to the observed variation in patterns of hybrid sterility and in rates of polyploidization.
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Affiliation(s)
- X C Li
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Röll B, von Düring MU. Sexual characteristics and spermatogenesis in males of the parthenogenetic gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris (Reptilia, Gekkonidae). ZOOLOGY 2008; 111:385-400. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2007.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2007] [Revised: 09/21/2007] [Accepted: 09/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Gilman CA, Wolf BO. Use of portable ultrasonography as a nondestructive method for estimating reproductive effort in lizards. J Exp Biol 2007; 210:1859-67. [PMID: 17515412 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.001875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYObtaining population-level life history data such as egg and clutch size in reptiles has most often required that individuals be sacrificed. This prevents a reexamination of individuals over intra-annual and inter-annual time scales,limiting insight into the effects of varying environmental conditions on reproductive output. Here, we test the use of a laptop-sized portable ultrasound imaging system as a nondestructive means for quantifying reproductive investment in five species of lizards with a range of body sizes,forms and life histories. Ultrasound scans produced egg counts that were accurate for clutch sizes of two to seven eggs, and provided good estimates(within 5.5±1.69 eggs, mean ± s.e.m., relative error 21%) for clutch sizes of between 18 and 41 eggs. Egg measurements using virtual calipers produced average egg volumes that deviated from actual volumes by 0.09±0.01 cm3 (relative error 25.9%), and estimated clutch volumes that differed from actual volumes by 1.03±0.26 cm3(relative error 29.5%). We also monitored development in five lizard species and found that changes in follicle and egg size and degree of embryonic development can be measured over periods of just a few days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey A Gilman
- University of New Mexico, Department of Biology, MSC03-2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA.
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Martin P, Kohlmann K, Scholtz G. The parthenogenetic Marmorkrebs (marbled crayfish) produces genetically uniform offspring. Naturwissenschaften 2007; 94:843-6. [PMID: 17541537 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-007-0260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2006] [Revised: 04/23/2007] [Accepted: 04/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Genetically identical animals are very much in demand as laboratory objects because they allow conclusions about environmental and epigenetic effects on development, structures, and behavior. Furthermore, questions about the relative fitness of various genotypes can be addressed. However, genetically identical animals are relatively rare, in particular, organisms that combine a high reproduction rate and a complex organization. Based on its exclusively parthenogenetic reproduction mode, it has been suggested that the Marmorkrebs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Astacida), a recently discovered crayfish, is an excellent candidate for research addressing the aforementioned questions. However, until now, a study using molecular markers that clearly proves the genetic uniformity of the offspring has been lacking. Here, with this first molecular study, we show that this crayfish indeed produces genetically uniform clones. We tested this with 19 related individuals of various generations of a Marmorkrebs population by means of six different microsatellite markers. We found that all examined specimens were identical in their allelic composition. Furthermore, half of the analyzed loci were heterozygous. These results and the absence of meioses in previous histological studies of the ovaries lead us to conclude the Marmorkrebs propagates apomictically. Thus, a genetically uniform organism with complex morphology, development, and behavior is now available for various laboratory studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peer Martin
- Institut für Biologie/Vergleichende Zoologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Martínez-Torres M, Guzmán-Rodríguez R, Cárdenas-León M, Brunner-Reynaldo N. FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT AND OVULATION DETERMINED BY ULTRASOUND IMAGING IN THE VIVIPAROUS LIZARD BARISIA IMBRICATA (REPTILIA: ANGUIDAE). SOUTHWEST NAT 2006. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909(2006)51[401:fdaodb]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Lamborot M, Manzur ME, Alvarez-Sarret E. Triploidy and mosaicism in Liolaemus chiliensis (Sauria: Tropiduridae). Genome 2006; 49:445-53. [PMID: 16767169 DOI: 10.1139/g05-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A remarkable diversity of ploidy, i.e., diploidy, triploidy, and diploid–triploid mosaicism, was found among the somatic and testicular cells in a natural population of the lizard Liolaemus chiliensis from central Chile. Intra pop ulation, intersexual, and intraindividual ploidy variation is reported. In contrast with other species of polyploid reptiles, 86% of L. chiliensis males were mosaics (2n/3n) and 14% were diploids; 33% of females were triploid, 57.1% were mosaics, and 9.5% were diploid. Among 21 specimens, no triploid males were found in this sample. In the mosaic males, the diploid and triploid spermatogonia both enter meiosis, producing both reduced and unreduced metaphase II spermatocytes, most of them euploids. We discuss the origin for this ploidy in this iguanid lizard.Key words: Liolaemus chiliensis, triploidy, mosaicism for triploidy and diploidy, Sauria, Tropiduridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Lamborot
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
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Alves MJ, Gromicho M, Collares-Pereira MJ, Crespo-López E, Coelho MM. Simultaneous production of triploid and haploid eggs by triploidSqualius alburnoides(Teleostei: Cyprinidae). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 301:552-8. [PMID: 15229865 DOI: 10.1002/jez.a.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The hybrid minnow Squalius alburnoides comprises diploid and polyploid forms with altered modes of reproduction. In the present paper, we report a cross where a triploid female generated both large, triploid and small, haploid eggs simultaneously, which were fertilized with S. pyrenaicus sperm. Although the large eggs were rarer (15%), they originated offspring with higher survivorship, so that tetraploids were dominant among the surviving siblings. The cross yielded apparently all female progeny. Inheritance patterns were inferred using four microsatellite markers and NORs (Nucleolus Organizer Regions) phenotypes, and suggested that haploid eggs were probably produced by an atypical hybridogenesis, in which the elimination of the unmatched genome permitted random segregation and recombination between the homospecific genomes, while the triploid eggs were clonal. The present results suggest that the occurrence of triploid unreduced eggs may be a new route for the natural tetraploidization in the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Judite Alves
- Museu Bocage, Museu Nacional de História Natural, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua da Escola Politécnica 58, 1269-102 Lisbon, Portugal.
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SIMON JC, DELMOTTE F, RISPE C, CREASE T. Phylogenetic relationships between parthenogens and their sexual relatives: the possible routes to parthenogenesis in animals. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2003. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1095-8312.2003.00175.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 302] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Groot TVM, Bruins E, Breeuwer JAJ. Molecular genetic evidence for parthenogenesis in the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus. Heredity (Edinb) 2003; 90:130-5. [PMID: 12634818 DOI: 10.1038/sj.hdy.6800210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Parthenogenesis among reptiles is rare. Only a few species have the ability to reproduce asexually. Most of these are obligate parthenogenetic species that consist (almost) entirely of females, which can reproduce solely through parthenogenesis. Rarer are sexual species that only sporadically reproduce through parthenogenesis. A female Python molurus bivittatus (Reptilia, Boidae) from the Artis Zoo, Amsterdam, produced eggs in five consecutive years that contained embryos while she was isolated from males. These eggs might be fertilized with stored sperm, or might be the product of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis has not been shown for the Boidae family before. We performed parentship analyses on the snake and seven of her embryos using microsatellites and AFLP. Four microsatellite loci developed for this species combined with three loci developed previously for different snake species revealed too little variation to discriminate between sperm retention and parthenogenesis. With AFLP we were able to confirm that the Artis Zoo female reproduced parthenogenetically. Because the offspring are genetically identical to their mother, whereas in previous studies on sporadic parthenogenesis in snakes a loss of genetic information was reported, we conclude that the meiotic pathways that produce the diploid egg cells are different.
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Affiliation(s)
- T V M Groot
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94062, 1090 GB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Weiss SL, Jennings DH, Moore MC. Effect of captivity in semi-natural enclosures on the reproductive endocrinology of female lizards. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2002; 128:238-46. [PMID: 12392698 DOI: 10.1016/s0016-6480(02)00506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Long-term captivity can result in abnormal behavior and physiology in many vertebrates. Here, we examine whether semi-natural, outdoor captive environments can offer a compromise, allowing much of the experimental control afforded by captivity, while providing the environmental conditions essential for normal behavior and physiology. We first determined plasma concentration of the sex steroid hormones progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol of free-ranging female striped plateau lizards (Sceloporus virgatus) throughout the reproductive season, and second, compared the results to those from conspecific females maintained in semi-natural outdoor enclosures. Among free-ranging females, levels of progesterone and estradiol were elevated during vitellogenesis, with an apparent surge in progesterone and testosterone occurring in association with ovulation. Following ovulation, estradiol fell to non-reproductive levels while progesterone remained elevated during the month-long period of gravidity. Long-term captivity in outdoor enclosures did not significantly affect progesterone or estradiol levels at any stage of the reproductive cycle, and did not affect testosterone levels during normal ovarian development and gravidity. However, (1) females with delayed oviposition in captivity had lower testosterone levels than free-ranging females with normal oviposition, and (2) when all females sampled were post-reproductive, captive females continued to have lower testosterone levels than free-ranging females. Thus, the endocrine response to captivity may be greater among post-reproductive females than among reproductive females. Our results are in marked contrast to many studies that show captivity can dramatically impair reproduction of female vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Weiss
- Department of Zoology, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology Group, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0325, USA.
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