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Blackburn DG, Hughes DF. Phylogenetic analysis of viviparity, matrotrophy, and other reproductive patterns in chondrichthyan fishes. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1314-1356. [PMID: 38562006 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13070] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The reproductive diversity of extant cartilaginous fishes (class Chondrichthyes) is extraordinarily broad, reflecting more than 400 million years of evolutionary history. Among their many notable reproductive specialisations are viviparity (live-bearing reproduction) and matrotrophy (maternal provision of nutrients during gestation). However, attempts to understand the evolution of these traits have yielded highly discrepant conclusions. Here, we compile and analyse the current knowledge on the evolution of reproductive diversity in Chondrichthyes with particular foci on the frequency, phylogenetic distribution, and directionality of evolutionary changes in their modes of reproduction. To characterise the evolutionary transformations, we amassed the largest empirical data set of reproductive parameters to date covering nearly 800 extant species and analysed it via a comprehensive molecular-based phylogeny. Our phylogenetic reconstructions indicated that the ancestral pattern for Chondrichthyes is 'short single oviparity' (as found in extant holocephalans) in which females lay successive clutches (broods) of one or two eggs. Viviparity has originated at least 12 times, with 10 origins among sharks, one in batoids, and (based on published evidence) another potential origin in a fossil holocephalan. Substantial matrotrophy has evolved at least six times, including one origin of placentotrophy, three separate origins of oophagy (egg ingestion), and two origins of histotrophy (uptake of uterine secretions). In two clades, placentation was replaced by histotrophy. Unlike past reconstructions, our analysis reveals no evidence that viviparity has ever reverted to oviparity in this group. Both viviparity and matrotrophy have arisen by a variety of evolutionary sequences. In addition, the ancestral pattern of oviparity has given rise to three distinct egg-laying patterns that increased clutch (brood) size and/or involved deposition of eggs at advanced stages of development. Geologically, the ancestral oviparous pattern arose in the Paleozoic. Most origins of viviparity and matrotrophy date to the Mesozoic, while a few that are represented at low taxonomic levels are of Cenozoic origin. Coupled with other recent work, this review points the way towards an emerging consensus on reproductive evolution in chondrichthyans while offering a basis for future functional and evolutionary analyses. This review also contributes to conservation efforts by highlighting taxa whose reproductive specialisations reflect distinctive evolutionary trajectories and that deserve special protection and further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackburn
- Department of Biology & Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, 300 Summit St, Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, USA
| | - Daniel F Hughes
- Department of Biology, Coe College, 1220 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52402, USA
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2
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Arimura S, Wong MKS, Inoue R, Kawano M, Shimoyama K, Fujimori C, Tokunaga K, Takagi W, Hyodo S. Functional characterization of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptors in cloudy catshark, Scyliorhinus torazame. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 354:114542. [PMID: 38685391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in cloudy catshark were cloned, and recombinant FSHR and LHR were expressed for characterization. Ventral lobe extract (VLE) from the pituitary contains homologous FSH and LH, and it stimulated the cAMP signaling of FSHR and LHR dose-dependently. Two transcript variants of LHR (LHR-L with exon 10 and LHR-S without) were identified, and LHR-S was the dominant form with higher basal cAMP activity without VLE stimulation. Among various developmental stages of follicles, FSHR expression was mainly associated with the pre-vitellogenic and early white follicles. When follicles were recruited into vitellogenesis, the expression of FSHR decreased while of LHR was upregulated reciprocally, suggesting that LHR may also be responsible for the control of vitellogenesis in chondrichthyans. The expression of LHR-L was upregulated among maturing follicles before ovulation, indicating LHR-L could have a specific role in receiving the LH surge signal for final maturation. Plasma LH-like activity was transiently increased prior to the progesterone (P4)-surge and testosterone-drop at the beginning of P4-phase, supporting a pituitary control of follicle-maturation via LH signaling in chondrichthyans. The expression of follicular LHR was downregulated during the P4-phase when LH-like activity was high, indicating that the LH-dependent downregulation of LHR is conserved in chondrichthyans as it is in other vertebrate lineages. (213 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Arimura
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
| | - Marty Kwok Shing Wong
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan; Center for Earth Surface System Dynamics, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
| | - Ryotaro Inoue
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
| | - Mai Kawano
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
| | - Koya Shimoyama
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
| | - Chika Fujimori
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-10 Nishi-8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan.
| | - Kotaro Tokunaga
- Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium, Oarai, Ibaraki 311-1301, Japan.
| | - Wataru Takagi
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
| | - Susumu Hyodo
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Marine Biosciences, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan; Center for Earth Surface System Dynamics, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
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3
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Pappert FA, Kolbe D, Dubin A, Roth O. The effect of parental age on the quantity and quality of offspring in Syngnathus typhle, a species with male pregnancy. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13755. [PMID: 39027687 PMCID: PMC11254578 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Parental age impacts offspring quantity and quality. Most prior research focused on maternal age. Since in most organisms the mother produces the costly eggs plus provides all or most parental care, it is difficult to distinguish maternal effects mediated via the egg from later maternal care. Here, we addressed the effects of parental age on offspring in Syngnathus typhle, a pipefish with male pregnancy. The divide between one parent producing the eggs and the second parent being the exclusive provider of parental care facilitates a distinction between the effects of parental age on egg quality versus parental age on early development. We fully reciprocally crossed young and old mothers and young and old fathers and assessed impact of parental age combination on offspring number, offspring size, and offspring gene expression patterns. Neither parental combination significantly influenced offspring size or male gestation duration; however, they influenced the number of offspring. Paternal, but not maternal, age strongly affected the offspring gene expression. Offspring from old fathers exhibited substantial changes in the expression of genes related to cell cycle regulation, protein synthesis, DNA repair, and neurogenesis. Our findings thus highlight the importance of gestation, as opposed to gamete production, in shaping the parental contribution to offspring development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya Adele Pappert
- Marine Evolutionary BiologyZoological Institute, Christian‐Albrechts‐Universität KielKielGermany
- Evolutionary Ecology of Marine FishesHelmholtz‐Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)KielGermany
| | - Daniel Kolbe
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB)Christian‐Albrechts‐Universität KielKielGermany
| | - Arseny Dubin
- Marine Evolutionary BiologyZoological Institute, Christian‐Albrechts‐Universität KielKielGermany
| | - Olivia Roth
- Marine Evolutionary BiologyZoological Institute, Christian‐Albrechts‐Universität KielKielGermany
- Evolutionary Ecology of Marine FishesHelmholtz‐Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)KielGermany
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4
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Mull CG, Pennell MW, Yopak KE, Dulvy NK. Maternal investment evolves with larger body size and higher diversification rate in sharks and rays. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2773-2781.e3. [PMID: 38843829 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.019] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Across vertebrates, live bearing evolved at least 150 times from ancestral egg laying into diverse forms and degrees of prepartum maternal investment.1,2 A key question is how reproductive diversity arose and whether reproductive diversification underlies species diversification.3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 To test this, we evaluate the most basal jawed vertebrates: the sharks, rays, and chimaeras, which have one of the greatest ranges of reproductive and ecological diversity among vertebrates.2,12 We reconstruct the sequence of reproductive mode evolution across a phylogeny of 610 chondrichthyans.13 We reveal egg laying as ancestral, with live bearing evolving at least seven times. Matrotrophy evolved at least 15 times, with evidence of one reversal. In sharks, transitions to live bearing and matrotrophy are more prevalent in larger-bodied tropical species. Further, the evolution of live bearing is associated with a near doubling of the diversification rate, but there is only a small increase associated with the appearance of matrotrophy. Although pre-copulatory sexual selection is associated with increased rates of speciation in teleosts,3 sexual size dimorphism in chondrichthyans does not appear to be related to sexual selection,14,15 and instead we find increased rates of speciation associated with the colonization of novel habitats. This highlights a potential key difference between chondrichthyans and other fishes, specifically a slower rate of evolution of reproductive isolation following speciation, suggesting different rate-limiting mechanisms for diversification between these clades.16 The chondrichthyan diversification and radiation, particularly throughout shallow tropical shelf seas and oceanic pelagic habitats, appear to be associated with the evolution of live bearing and proliferation of a wide range of maternal investment in developing offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Mull
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Integrated Fisheries Lab, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Matthew W Pennell
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
| | - Kara E Yopak
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology and UNCW Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
| | - Nicholas K Dulvy
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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Kircher BK, McCown MA, Scully DM, Behringer RR, Larina IV. Structural analysis of the female reptile reproductive system by micro-computed tomography and optical coherence tomography†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:1077-1085. [PMID: 38641547 PMCID: PMC11180613 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae039] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Volumetric data provide unprecedented structural insight to the reproductive tract and add vital anatomical context to the relationships between organs. The morphology of the female reproductive tract in non-avian reptiles varies between species, corresponding to a broad range of reproductive modes and providing valuable insight to comparative investigations of reproductive anatomy. However, reproductive studies in reptilian models, such as the brown anole studied here, have historically relied on histological methods to understand the anatomy. While these methods are highly effective for characterizing the cell types present in each organ, histological methods lose the 3D relationships between images and leave the architecture of the organ system poorly understood. We present the first comprehensive volumetric analyses of the female brown anole reproductive tract using two non-invasive, non-destructive imaging modalities: micro-computed tomography (microCT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Both are specialized imaging technologies that facilitate high-throughput imaging and preserve three-dimensional information. This study represents the first time that microCT has been used to study all reproductive organs in this species and the very first time that OCT has been applied to this species. We show how the non-destructive volumetric imaging provided by each modality reveals anatomical context including orientation and relationships between reproductive organs of the anole lizard. In addition to broad patterns of morphology, both imaging modalities provide the high resolution necessary to capture details and key anatomical features of each organ. We demonstrate that classic histological features can be appreciated within whole-organ architecture in volumetric imaging using microCT and OCT, providing the complementary information necessary to understand the relationships between tissues and organs in the reproductive system. This side-by-side imaging analysis using microCT and OCT allows us to evaluate the specific advantages and limitations of these two methods for the female reptile reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie K Kircher
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Michaela A McCown
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Deirdre M Scully
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Richard R Behringer
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Domínguez-Guerrero SF, Esquerré D, Burress ED, Maciel-Mata CA, Alencar LRV, Muñoz MM. Viviparity imparts a macroevolutionary signature of ecological opportunity in the body size of female Liolaemus lizards. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4966. [PMID: 38862522 PMCID: PMC11167029 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49464-x] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Viviparity evolved ~115 times across squamate reptiles, facilitating the colonization of cold habitats, where oviparous species are scarce or absent. Whether the ecological opportunity furnished by such colonization reconfigures phenotypic diversity and accelerates evolution is unclear. We investigated the association between viviparity and patterns and rates of body size evolution in female Liolaemus lizards, the most species-rich tetrapod genus from temperate regions. Here, we discover that viviparous species evolve ~20% larger optimal body sizes than their oviparous relatives, but exhibit similar rates of body size evolution. Through a causal modeling approach, we find that viviparity indirectly influences body size evolution through shifts in thermal environment. Accordingly, the colonization of cold habitats favors larger body sizes in viviparous species, reconfiguring body size diversity in Liolaemus. The catalyzing influence of viviparity on phenotypic evolution arises because it unlocks access to otherwise inaccessible sources of ecological opportunity, an outcome potentially repeated across the tree of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Damien Esquerré
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Edward D Burress
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Carlos A Maciel-Mata
- Predio Intensivo de Manejo de Vida Silvestre X-Plora Reptilia, 43350, Metztitlán, Hidalgo, México
| | - Laura R V Alencar
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Martha M Muñoz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA
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Mignerot L, Gimond C, Bolelli L, Bouleau C, Sandjak A, Boulin T, Braendle C. Natural variation in the Caenorhabditis elegans egg-laying circuit modulates an intergenerational fitness trade-off. eLife 2024; 12:RP88253. [PMID: 38564369 PMCID: PMC10987095 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88253] [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] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary transitions from egg laying (oviparity) to live birth (viviparity) are common across various taxa. Many species also exhibit genetic variation in egg-laying mode or display an intermediate mode with laid eggs containing embryos at various stages of development. Understanding the mechanistic basis and fitness consequences of such variation remains experimentally challenging. Here, we report highly variable intra-uterine egg retention across 316 Caenorhabditis elegans wild strains, some exhibiting strong retention, followed by internal hatching. We identify multiple evolutionary origins of such phenotypic extremes and pinpoint underlying candidate loci. Behavioral analysis and genetic manipulation indicates that this variation arises from genetic differences in the neuromodulatory architecture of the egg-laying circuitry. We provide experimental evidence that while strong egg retention can decrease maternal fitness due to in utero hatching, it may enhance offspring protection and confer a competitive advantage. Therefore, natural variation in C. elegans egg-laying behaviour can alter an apparent trade-off between different fitness components across generations. Our findings highlight underappreciated diversity in C. elegans egg-laying behavior and shed light on its fitness consequences. This behavioral variation offers a promising model to elucidate the molecular changes in a simple neural circuit underlying evolutionary shifts between alternative egg-laying modes in invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Asma Sandjak
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, IBVNiceFrance
| | - Thomas Boulin
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS, Inserm, Université de LyonLyonFrance
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8
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Kuroda KO, Fukumitsu K, Kurachi T, Ohmura N, Shiraishi Y, Yoshihara C. Parental brain through time: The origin and development of the neural circuit of mammalian parenting. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024; 1534:24-44. [PMID: 38426943 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15111] [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] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This review consolidates current knowledge on mammalian parental care, focusing on its neural mechanisms, evolutionary origins, and derivatives. Neurobiological studies have identified specific neurons in the medial preoptic area as crucial for parental care. Unexpectedly, these neurons are characterized by the expression of molecules signaling satiety, such as calcitonin receptor and BRS3, and overlap with neurons involved in the reproductive behaviors of males but not females. A synthesis of comparative ecology and paleontology suggests an evolutionary scenario for mammalian parental care, possibly stemming from male-biased guarding of offspring in basal vertebrates. The terrestrial transition of tetrapods led to prolonged egg retention in females and the emergence of amniotes, skewing care toward females. The nocturnal adaptation of Mesozoic mammalian ancestors reinforced maternal care for lactation and thermal regulation via endothermy, potentially introducing metabolic gate control in parenting neurons. The established maternal care may have served as the precursor for paternal and cooperative care in mammals and also fostered the development of group living, which may have further contributed to the emergence of empathy and altruism. These evolution-informed working hypotheses require empirical validation, yet they offer promising avenues to investigate the neural underpinnings of mammalian social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumi O Kuroda
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- School of Life Sciences and Technologies, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kansai Fukumitsu
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Takuma Kurachi
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nami Ohmura
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Center for Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuko Shiraishi
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Kawamura Gakuen Woman's University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chihiro Yoshihara
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- School of Life Sciences and Technologies, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
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Eastment RV, Wong BBM, McGee MD. Convergent genomic signatures associated with vertebrate viviparity. BMC Biol 2024; 22:34. [PMID: 38331819 PMCID: PMC10854053 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01837-w] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viviparity-live birth-is a complex and innovative mode of reproduction that has evolved repeatedly across the vertebrate Tree of Life. Viviparous species exhibit remarkable levels of reproductive diversity, both in the amount of care provided by the parent during gestation, and the ways in which that care is delivered. The genetic basis of viviparity has garnered increasing interest over recent years; however, such studies are often undertaken on small evolutionary timelines, and thus are not able to address changes occurring on a broader scale. Using whole genome data, we investigated the molecular basis of this innovation across the diversity of vertebrates to answer a long held question in evolutionary biology: is the evolution of convergent traits driven by convergent genomic changes? RESULTS We reveal convergent changes in protein family sizes, protein-coding regions, introns, and untranslated regions (UTRs) in a number of distantly related viviparous lineages. Specifically, we identify 15 protein families showing evidence of contraction or expansion associated with viviparity. We additionally identify elevated substitution rates in both coding and noncoding sequences in several viviparous lineages. However, we did not find any convergent changes-be it at the nucleotide or protein level-common to all viviparous lineages. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the value of macroevolutionary comparative genomics in determining the genomic basis of complex evolutionary transitions. While we identify a number of convergent genomic changes that may be associated with the evolution of viviparity in vertebrates, there does not appear to be a convergent molecular signature shared by all viviparous vertebrates. Ultimately, our findings indicate that a complex trait such as viviparity likely evolves with changes occurring in multiple different pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon V Eastment
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia.
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - Matthew D McGee
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
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10
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Kircher BK, Stanley EL, Behringer RR. Anatomy of the female reproductive tract organs of the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:395-413. [PMID: 37506227 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Female reproduction in squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) is highly diverse and mode of reproduction, clutch size, and reproductive tract morphology all vary widely across this group of ~11,000 species. Recently, CRISPR genome editing techniques that require manipulation of the female reproductive anatomy have been developed in this group, making a more complete understanding of this anatomy essential. We describe the adult female reproductive anatomy of the model reptile the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). We show that the brown anole female reproductive tract has three distinct anterior-to-posterior regions, the infundibulum, the glandular uterus, and the nonglandular uterus. The infundibulum has a highly ciliated epithelial lip, a region where the epithelium is inverted so that cilia are present on the inside and outside of the tube. The glandular uterus has epithelial ducts that are patent with a lumen as well as acinar structures with a lumen. The nonglandular uterus has a heterogeneous morphology from anterior to posterior, with a highly folded, ciliated epithelium transitioning to a stratified squamous epithelium. This transition is accompanied by a loss of keratin-8 expression and together, these changes are similar to the morphological and gene expression changes that occur in the mammalian cervix. We recommend that description of the nonglandular uterus include the regional sub-specification of a "cervix" and "vagina" as this terminology change more accurately describes the morphology. Our data extend histological studies of reproductive organ morphology in reptiles and expand our understanding of the variation in reproductive system anatomy across squamates and vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie K Kircher
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Edward L Stanley
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Richard R Behringer
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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11
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Elmer KR. Evolutionary paths to new phenotypes. Science 2024; 383:27-28. [PMID: 38175891 DOI: 10.1126/science.adm9239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Ecological model systems inform on innovative traits in plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R Elmer
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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12
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Palacios-Marquez JJ, Guevara-Fiore P. Parasitism in viviparous vertebrates: an overview. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:53. [PMID: 38100003 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08083-z] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The reproductive mode of viviparity has independently evolved in various animal taxa. It refers to the condition in which the embryos or young develop inside the female's body during gestation, providing advantages such as protection, nutrition, and improved survival chances. However, parasites and diseases can be an evolutionary force that limit the host's resources, leading to physiological, morphological, and behavioral changes that impose additional costs on both the pregnant female and her offspring. This review integrates the primary literature published between 1980 and 2021 on the parasitism of viviparous hosts. We describe aspects such as reproductive investment in females, offspring sex ratios, lactation investment in mammals, alterations in birth intervals, current reproductive investment, variations between environments, immune system activity in response to immunological challenges, and other factors that can influence the interaction between viviparous females and parasites. Maintaining pregnancy incurs costs in managing the mother's resources and regulating the immune system's responses to the offspring, while simultaneously maintaining an adequate defense against parasites and pathogens. Parasites can significantly influence this reproductive mode: parasitized females adjust their investment in survival and reproduction based on their life history, environmental factors, and the diversity of encountered parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Palacios-Marquez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Blvd. Valsequillo y Av. San Claudio, Edificio Bio-1, Ciudad Universitaria, Col. Jardines de San Manuel, 72580, Puebla, CP, Mexico
| | - Palestina Guevara-Fiore
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Blvd. Valsequillo y Av. San Claudio, Edificio Bio-1, Ciudad Universitaria, Col. Jardines de San Manuel, 72580, Puebla, CP, Mexico.
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13
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Sakurai T, Kusama K, Imakawa K. Progressive Exaptation of Endogenous Retroviruses in Placental Evolution in Cattle. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1680. [PMID: 38136553 PMCID: PMC10741562 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121680] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Viviparity is made possible by the placenta, a structure acquired relatively recently in the evolutionary history of eutherian mammals. Compared to oviparity, it increases the survival rate of the fetus, owing to the eutherian placenta. Questions such as "How was the placenta acquired?" and "Why is there diversity in placental morphology among mammalian species?" remain largely unsolved. Our present understanding of the molecules regulating placental development remains unclear, owing in no small part to the persistent obscurity surrounding the molecular mechanisms underlying placental acquisition. Numerous genes associated with the development of eutherian placental morphology likely evolved to function at the fetal-maternal interface in conjunction with those participating in embryogenesis. Therefore, identifying these genes, how they were acquired, and how they came to be expressed specifically at the fetal-maternal interface will shed light on some crucial molecular mechanisms underlying placental evolution. Exhaustive studies support the hypothesis that endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) could be evolutional driving forces for trophoblast cell fusion and placental structure in mammalian placentas including those of the bovine species. This review focuses on bovine ERVs (BERVs) and their expression and function in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Sakurai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Ohu University, 31-1 Misumido, Koriyama 963-8611, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kusama
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji 192-0392, Tokyo, Japan;
| | - Kazuhiko Imakawa
- Research Institute of Agriculture, Tokai University, 9-1-1 Toroku, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto 862-8652, Japan;
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14
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Grant HE, Ostrovsky AN, Jenkins HL, Vieira LM, Gordon DP, Foster PG, Kotenko ON, Smith AM, Berning B, Porter JS, Souto J, Florence WK, Tilbrook KJ, Waeschenbach A. Multiple evolutionary transitions of reproductive strategies in a phylum of aquatic colonial invertebrates. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231458. [PMID: 37909081 PMCID: PMC10618858 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1458] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Parental care is considered crucial for the enhanced survival of offspring and evolutionary success of many metazoan groups. Most bryozoans incubate their young in brood chambers or intracoelomically. Based on the drastic morphological differences in incubation chambers across members of the order Cheilostomatida (class Gymnolaemata), multiple origins of incubation were predicted in this group. This hypothesis was tested by constructing a molecular phylogeny based on mitogenome data and nuclear rRNA genes 18S and 28S with the most complete sampling of taxa with various incubation devices to date. Ancestral character estimation suggested that distinct types of brood chambers evolved at least 10 times in Cheilostomatida. In Eucratea loricata and Aetea spp. brooding evolved unambiguously from a zygote-spawning ancestral state, as it probably did in Tendra zostericola, Neocheilostomata, and 'Carbasea' indivisa. In two further instances, brooders with different incubation chamber types, skeletal and non-skeletal, formed clades (Scruparia spp., Leiosalpinx australis) and (Catenicula corbulifera (Steginoporella spp. (Labioporella spp., Thalamoporella californica))), each also probably evolved from a zygote-spawning ancestral state. The modular nature of bryozoans probably contributed to the evolution of such a diverse array of embryonic incubation chambers, which included complex constructions made of polymorphic heterozooids, and maternal zooidal invaginations and outgrowths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E. Grant
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road, Sutton SM2 5NG, UK
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Andrew N. Ostrovsky
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja nab. 7/9, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Palaeontology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Helen L. Jenkins
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Leandro M. Vieira
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Laboratório de Estudos de Bryozoa, Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego 1235, Recife, PE 50670–810, Brazil
| | - Dennis P. Gordon
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241, New Zealand
| | - Peter G. Foster
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Olga N. Kotenko
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja nab. 7/9, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Abigail M. Smith
- Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Björn Berning
- Institute for Geology, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores, Universidade dos Açores, Campus de Ponta Delgada Apartado 1422, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal
| | - Joanne S. Porter
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3AW, UK
| | - Javier Souto
- Department of Palaeontology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wayne K. Florence
- Research and Exhibitions Department, Iziko Museums of South Africa, PO Box 61, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Kevin J. Tilbrook
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Andrea Waeschenbach
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
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15
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Katona G, Szabó F, Végvári Z, Székely T, Liker A, Freckleton RP, Vági B, Székely T. Evolution of reproductive modes in sharks and rays. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:1630-1640. [PMID: 37885147 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14231] [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: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The ecological and life history drivers of the diversification of reproductive modes in early vertebrates are not fully understood. Sharks, rays and chimaeras (group Chondrichthyes) have an unusually diverse variety of reproductive modes and are thus an ideal group to test the factors driving the evolution of reproductive complexity. Here, using 960 species representing all major Chondrichthyes taxa, we reconstruct the evolution of their reproduction modes and investigate the ecological and life history predictors of reproduction. We show that the ancestral Chondrichthyes state was egg-laying and find multiple independent transitions between egg-laying and live-bearing via an intermediate state of yolk-only live-bearing. Using phylogenetically informed analysis, we also show that live-bearing species have larger body size and larger offspring than egg-laying species. In addition, live-bearing species are distributed over shallow to intermediate depths, while egg-layers are typically found in deeper waters. This suggests that live-bearing is more closely associated with pelagic, rather than demersal habitats. Taken together, using a basal vertebrate group as a model, we demonstrat how reproductive mode co-evolves with environmental conditions and life-history traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Katona
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Flóra Szabó
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Végvári
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Budapest, Hungary
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Tamás Székely
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - András Liker
- MTA-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Robert P Freckleton
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Balázs Vági
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Székely
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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16
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Iida A, Tsuda N, Yoshida J, Nomura J, Ratanayotha A, Kawai T, Hondo E. Glucose absorption activity and gene expression of sugar transporters in the trophotaenia of the viviparous teleost Xenotoca eiseni. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130464. [PMID: 37717926 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
In viviparous reproductive systems, nutrient transfer from mother to embryo plays a critical role in the generation of offspring. Herein, we investigated the mother-to-embryo nutrient transfer machinery in the viviparous teleost Xenotoca eiseni, which belongs to the family Goodeidae. The intraovarian embryo absorbs maternal supplements via the hindgut-derived placental structure termed the trophotaenia. Tracer analysis indicated that the trophotaenia can take up glucose analogs in ex vivo cultured embryos. The candidate genes for absorption, sglt1, glut2, atp1a, and atp1b, were determined from published transcriptomes. These genes were expressed in the trophotaenia of X. eiseni embryos. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry of Na+/K+ ATPase indicated the polarity of epithelial cells in the trophotaenia. The presented evidence suggests that the epithelial cell layer transports monosaccharides from the apical membrane of epithelial cells in a basolateral direction. Taken together, this study provides insight into how maternal fish maintain their offspring during gestation and will aid in the development of strategies to improve offspring generation in these fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuo Iida
- Department of Animal Sciences Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan; Department of Bioresource Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan.
| | - Natsuho Tsuda
- Department of Bioresource Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Junki Yoshida
- Department of Animal Sciences Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Jumpei Nomura
- Department of Animal Sciences Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Adisorn Ratanayotha
- Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Takafumi Kawai
- Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eiichi Hondo
- Department of Animal Sciences Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan; Department of Bioresource Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
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17
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Snell-Rood EC, Ehlman SM. Developing the genotype-to-phenotype relationship in evolutionary theory: A primer of developmental features. Evol Dev 2023; 25:393-409. [PMID: 37026670 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12434] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
For decades, there have been repeated calls for more integration across evolutionary and developmental biology. However, critiques in the literature and recent funding initiatives suggest this integration remains incomplete. We suggest one way forward is to consider how we elaborate the most basic concept of development, the relationship between genotype and phenotype, in traditional models of evolutionary processes. For some questions, when more complex features of development are accounted for, predictions of evolutionary processes shift. We present a primer on concepts of development to clarify confusion in the literature and fuel new questions and approaches. The basic features of development involve expanding a base model of genotype-to-phenotype to include the genome, space, and time. A layer of complexity is added by incorporating developmental systems, including signal-response systems and networks of interactions. The developmental emergence of function, which captures developmental feedbacks and phenotypic performance, offers further model elaborations that explicitly link fitness with developmental systems. Finally, developmental features such as plasticity and developmental niche construction conceptualize the link between a developing phenotype and the external environment, allowing for a fuller inclusion of ecology in evolutionary models. Incorporating aspects of developmental complexity into evolutionary models also accommodates a more pluralistic focus on the causal importance of developmental systems, individual organisms, or agents in generating evolutionary patterns. Thus, by laying out existing concepts of development, and considering how they are used across different fields, we can gain clarity in existing debates around the extended evolutionary synthesis and pursue new directions in evolutionary developmental biology. Finally, we consider how nesting developmental features in traditional models of evolution can highlight areas of evolutionary biology that need more theoretical attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie C Snell-Rood
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sean M Ehlman
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
- SCIoI Excellence Cluster, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Rodriguez-Caro F, Moore EC, Good JM. Evolution of parent-of-origin effects on placental gene expression in house mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554674. [PMID: 37662315 PMCID: PMC10473692 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian placenta is a hotspot for the evolution of genomic imprinting, a form of gene regulation that involves the parent-specific epigenetic silencing of one allele. Imprinted genes are central to placental development and are thought to contribute to the evolution of reproductive barriers between species. However, it is unclear how rapidly imprinting evolves or how functional specialization among placental tissues influences the evolution of imprinted expression. We compared parent-of-origin expression bias across functionally distinct placental layers sampled from reciprocal crosses within three closely related lineages of mice ( Mus ). Using genome-wide gene expression and DNA methylation data from fetal and maternal tissues, we developed an analytical strategy to minimize pervasive bias introduced by maternal contamination of placenta samples. We corroborated imprinted expression at 42 known imprinted genes and identified five candidate imprinted genes showing parent-of-origin specific expression and DNA methylation. Paternally-biased expression was enriched in the labyrinth zone, a layer specialized in nutrient transfer, and maternally-biased genes were enriched in the junctional zone, which specializes in modulation of maternal physiology. Differentially methylated regions were predominantly determined through epigenetic modification of the maternal genome and were associated with both maternally- and paternally-biased gene expression. Lastly, comparisons between lineages revealed a small set of co-regulated genes showing rapid divergence in expression levels and imprinted status in the M. m. domesticus lineage. Together, our results reveal important links between core functional elements of placental biology and the evolution of imprinted gene expression among closely related rodent species.
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19
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Yamashita T, Ekino T, Kanzaki N, Shinya R. The developmental and structural uniqueness of the embryo of the extremophile viviparous nematode, Tokorhabditis tufae. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1197477. [PMID: 37427410 PMCID: PMC10325857 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1197477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Viviparity, a reproductive form that supplies nutrients to the embryo during gestation, has repeatedly and independently occurred in multiple lineages of animals. During the convergent evolution of viviparity, various modifications of development, structure, and physiology emerged. A new species of nematode, Tokorhabditis tufae, was discovered in the alkaline, hypersaline, and arsenic-rich environment of Mono lake. Its reproductive form is viviparity because it is obligately live-bearing and the embryo increases in size during development. However, the magnitude of the increase in size and nutrient provisioning are unclear. We measured egg and embryo sizes at three developmental stages in T. tufae. Eggs and embryos of T. tufae at the threefold stage were respectively 2.6- and 3.6-fold larger than at the single-cell stage. We then obtained T. tufae embryos at the single-cell, lima bean, and threefold developmental stages and investigated the egg hatching frequency at three different concentrations of egg salt buffer. Removal of embryos from the uterus halted embryonic development at the single-cell and lima bean stages in T. tufae irrespective of the solution used for incubation, indicating the provision of nutrients within the uterus. Ultrastructural and permeability evaluation showed that the permeability barrier did not form during embryonic development, resulting in increased molecular permeability. This high permeability caused by the absence of the permeability barrier likely enables supply of nutrients from the mother. The structural and physiological modifications in T. tufae are like those in other viviparous animals. We conclude that T. tufae is a viviparous rather than an ovoviviparous nematode. T. tufae will facilitate investigation of the evolution of viviparity in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taisuke Ekino
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Natsumi Kanzaki
- Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryoji Shinya
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
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20
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Miedema F, Klein N, Blackburn DG, Sander PM, Maxwell EE, Griebeler EM, Scheyer TM. Heads or tails first? Evolution of fetal orientation in ichthyosaurs, with a scrutiny of the prevailing hypothesis. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:12. [PMID: 37072698 PMCID: PMC10114408 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02110-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
According to a longstanding paradigm, aquatic amniotes, including the Mesozoic marine reptile group Ichthyopterygia, give birth tail-first because head-first birth leads to increased asphyxiation risk of the fetus in the aquatic environment. Here, we draw upon published and original evidence to test two hypotheses: (1) Ichthyosaurs inherited viviparity from a terrestrial ancestor. (2) Asphyxiation risk is the main reason aquatic amniotes give birth tail-first. From the fossil evidence, we conclude that head-first birth is more prevalent in Ichthyopterygia than previously recognized and that a preference for tail-first birth likely arose in derived forms. This weakens the support for the terrestrial ancestry of viviparity in Ichthyopterygia. Our survey of extant viviparous amniotes indicates that fetal orientation at birth reflects a broad diversity of factors unrelated to aquatic vs. terrestrial habitat, further undermining the asphyxiation hypothesis. We propose that birth preference is based on parturitional mechanics or carrying efficiency rather than habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiko Miedema
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Rosenstein 1, 70191, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Institut für Biologie, Fachgebiet Paläontologie, Hohenheim University, Wollgrasweg 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Nicole Klein
- Paläontologisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, Zurich, CH-8006, Switzerland
- Abteilung Paläontologie, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel G Blackburn
- Dept. of Biology and Electron Microscopy Facility, Trinity College, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA
| | - P Martin Sander
- Abteilung Paläontologie, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Erin E Maxwell
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Rosenstein 1, 70191, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Eva M Griebeler
- Institut für Organismische und Molekulare Evolution, Universität Mainz, Hanns-Dieter- Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Torsten M Scheyer
- Paläontologisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, Zurich, CH-8006, Switzerland
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21
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The Connection between Immunocompetence and Reproduction in Wildlife. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030785. [PMID: 36983939 PMCID: PMC10051471 DOI: 10.3390/life13030785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproduction rate is important for the survival of animal populations. During gravidity, a trade-off occurs between the individual well-being of gravid females and investment in offspring. Due to the high synthesis and energy requirements for the growing fetus, other physiological activities are downregulated in pregnant females. This causes changes in the composition of the reproductive microbiome and a decreased immune response to presented antigens and pathogens. As a result, the immunocompetence of gravid wild animals declines. In general, therefore, increased infection rates during pregnancy can be observed in all wildlife species studied. In the course of evolution, however, this has apparently evolved as a suitable strategy to ensure the survival of the population as a whole.
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22
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Nomura J, Yokoi H, Hondo E, Iida A. Vitellogenin uptake activity in the intestinal ducts of intraovarian embryos in a viviparous teleost Xenotoca eiseni. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 644:79-84. [PMID: 36634585 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In the viviparous teleost species belonging to the family Goodeidae, intraovarian embryos absorb maternal supplements while they grow during the gestation period. They take up the components via trophotaeniae, a hindgut-derived placental structure. Our previous study using a goodeid species Xenotoca eiseni revealed that intraovarian embryos absorb the yolk protein vitellogenin (Vtg) via the trophotaenia. However, another group indicated yolk components accumulate in the intestinal lumen of X. eiseni embryos. Here, we investigated whether the intestinal duct is capable of protein uptake, as is the trophotaenia. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that endogenous vitellogenin is detected in the intestinal epithelial cells of the intraovarian embryo. Tracer analysis using FITC-Vtg also indicated that intestinal tissues can take up protein. The endocytosis-related genes expressed in trophotaenia were also detected in the intestinal tissues of the embryo. Lipid transporter genes which are not expressed in the trophotaenia were detected in the embryonic intestine. This evidence suggests that the intraovarian embryo of X. eiseni possesses two distinct sites for uptake of the maternal proteins. However, the presumed functions of the embryonic intestine and trophotaenia might be not identical. The study provides a new perspective on how mother-to-embryo matrotrophic interactions have changed in the evolution of viviparous teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Nomura
- Laboratory of Animal Morphology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hayato Yokoi
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Eiichi Hondo
- Laboratory of Animal Morphology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Atsuo Iida
- Laboratory of Animal Morphology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
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23
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Parker J, Dubin A, Schneider R, Wagner KS, Jentoft S, Böhne A, Bayer T, Roth O. Immunological tolerance in the evolution of male pregnancy. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:819-840. [PMID: 34951070 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The unique male pregnancy in pipefishes and seahorses ranges from basic attachment (pouch-less species: Nerophinae) of maternal eggs to specialized internal gestation in pouched species (e.g. Syngnathus and Hippocampus) with many transitions in between. Due to this diversity, male pregnancy offers a unique platform for assessing physiological and molecular adaptations in pregnancy evolution. These insights will contribute to answering long-standing questions of why and how pregnancy evolved convergently in so many vertebrate systems. To understand the molecular congruencies and disparities in male pregnancy evolution, we compared transcriptome-wide differentially expressed genes in four syngnathid species, at four pregnancy stages (nonpregnant, early, late and parturition). Across all species and pregnancy forms, metabolic processes and immune dynamics defined pregnancy stages, especially pouched species shared expression features akin to female pregnancy. The observed downregulation of adaptive immune genes in early-stage pregnancy and its reversed upregulation during late/parturition in pouched species, most notably in Hippocampus, combined with directionless expression in the pouch-less species, suggests immune modulation to be restricted to pouched species that evolved placenta-like systems. We propose that increased foeto-paternal intimacy in pouched syngnathids commands immune suppression processes in early gestation, and that the elevated immune response during parturition coincides with pouch opening and reduced progeny reliance. Immune response regulation in pouched species supports the recently described functional MHC II pathway loss as critical in male pregnancy evolution. The independent co-option of similar genes and pathways both in male and female pregnancy highlights immune modulation as crucial for the evolutionary establishment of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Parker
- Marine Evolutionary Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Arseny Dubin
- Marine Evolutionary Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ralf Schneider
- Marine Evolutionary Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kim Sara Wagner
- Marine Evolutionary Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sissel Jentoft
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Astrid Böhne
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
| | - Till Bayer
- Marine Evolutionary Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Olivia Roth
- Marine Evolutionary Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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24
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Bonney EA. A Framework for Understanding Maternal Immunity. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2023; 43:e1-e20. [PMID: 37179052 PMCID: PMC10484232 DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This is an alternative and controversial framing of the data relevant to maternal immunity. It argues for a departure from classical theory to view, interrogate and interpret existing data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont Robert Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, Room C246, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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Skalkos ZMG, Van Dyke JU, Whittington CM. Distinguishing Between Embryonic Provisioning Strategies in Teleost Fishes Using a Threshold Value for Parentotrophy. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13010166. [PMID: 36671551 PMCID: PMC9856118 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The source of embryonic nutrition for development varies across teleost fishes. A parentotrophy index (ratio of neonate: ovulated egg dry mass) is often used to determine provisioning strategy, but the methodologies used vary across studies. The variation in source and preservation of tissue, staging of embryos, and estimation approach impedes our ability to discern between methodological and biological differences in parentotrophy indices inter- and intra-specifically. The threshold value used to distinguish between lecithotrophy and parentotrophy (0.6-1) differs considerably across studies. The lack of a standardised approach in definition and application of parentotrophy indices has contributed to inconsistent classifications of provisioning strategy. Consistency in both methodology used to obtain a parentotrophy index, and in the classification of provisioning strategy using a threshold value are essential to reliably distinguish between provisioning strategies in teleosts. We discuss alternative methods for determining parentotrophy and suggest consistent standards for obtaining and interpreting parentotrophy indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe M. G. Skalkos
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building (A08), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - James U. Van Dyke
- School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Wodonga, VIC 3690, Australia
| | - Camilla M. Whittington
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building (A08), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Wen J, Ishihara T, Renfree MB, Griffith OW. Comparing the potential for maternal-fetal signalling in oviparous and viviparous lizards. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210262. [PMID: 36252210 PMCID: PMC9574625 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of a placenta requires several steps including changing the timing of reproductive events, facilitating nutrient exchange, and the capacity for maternal-fetal communication. To understand the evolution of maternal-fetal communication, we used ligand-receptor gene expression as a proxy for the potential for cross-talk in a live-bearing lizard (Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii) and homologous tissues in a related egg-laying lizard (Lampropholis guichenoti). Approximately 70% of expressed ligand/receptor genes were shared by both species. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that there was no GO-enrichment in the fetal membranes of the egg-laying species, but live-bearing fetal tissues were significantly enriched for 50 GO-terms. Differences in enrichment suggest that the evolution of viviparity involved reinforcing specific signalling pathways, perhaps to support fetal control of placentation. One identified change was in transforming growth factor beta signalling. Using immunohistochemistry, we show the production of the signalling molecule inhibin beta B (INHBB) occurs in viviparous fetal membranes but was absent in closely related egg-laying tissues, suggesting that the evolution of viviparity may have involved changes to signalling via this pathway. We argue that maternal-fetal signalling evolved through co-opting expressed signalling molecules and recruiting new signalling molecules to support the complex developmental changes required to support a fetus in utero. This article is part of the theme issue 'Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Wen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Teruhito Ishihara
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Marilyn B. Renfree
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Oliver W. Griffith
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Whittington CM, Buddle AL, Griffith OW, Carter AM. Embryonic specializations for vertebrate placentation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210261. [PMID: 36252220 PMCID: PMC9574634 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate placenta, a close association of fetal and parental tissue for physiological exchange, has evolved independently in sharks, teleost fishes, coelacanths, amphibians, squamate reptiles and mammals. This transient organ forms during pregnancy and is an important contributor to embryonic development in both viviparous and oviparous, brooding species. Placentae may be involved in transport of respiratory gases, wastes, immune molecules, hormones and nutrients. Depending on the taxon, the embryonic portion of the placenta is comprised of either extraembryonic membranes (yolk sac or chorioallantois) or temporary embryonic tissues derived via hypertrophy of pericardium, gill epithelium, gut, tails or fins. These membranes and tissues have been recruited convergently into placentae in several lineages. Here, we highlight the diversity and common features of embryonic tissues involved in vertebrate placentation and suggest future studies that will provide new knowledge about the evolution of pregnancy. This article is part of the theme issue 'Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla M. Whittington
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence A08, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Alice L. Buddle
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence A08, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Oliver W. Griffith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Anthony M. Carter
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J. B. Winsloews Vej 21, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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The evolution of reproductive modes and life cycles in amphibians. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7039. [PMID: 36396632 PMCID: PMC9672123 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibians have undergone important evolutionary transitions in reproductive modes and life-cycles. We compare large-scale macroevolutionary patterns in these transitions across the three major amphibian clades: frogs, salamanders, and caecilians. We analyse matching reproductive and phylogenetic data for 4025 species. We find that having aquatic larvae is ancestral for all three groups and is retained by many extant species (33-44%). The most frequent transitions in each group are to relatively uncommon states: live-bearing in caecilians, paedomorphosis in salamanders, and semi-terrestriality in frogs. All three groups show transitions to more terrestrial reproductive modes, but only in caecilians have these evolved sequentially from most-to-least aquatic. Diversification rates are largely independent of reproductive modes. However, in salamanders direct development accelerates diversification whereas paedomorphosis decreases it. Overall, we find a widespread retention of ancestral modes, decoupling of trait transition rates from patterns of species richness, and the general independence of reproductive modes and diversification.
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Smaga CR, Bock SL, Johnson JM, Parrott BB. Sex Determination and Ovarian Development in Reptiles and Amphibians: From Genetic Pathways to Environmental Influences. Sex Dev 2022; 17:99-119. [PMID: 36380624 DOI: 10.1159/000526009] [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: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reptiles and amphibians provide untapped potential for discovering how a diversity of genetic pathways and environmental conditions are incorporated into developmental processes that can lead to similar functional outcomes. These groups display a multitude of reproductive strategies, and whereas many attributes are conserved within groups and even across vertebrates, several aspects of sexual development show considerable variation. SUMMARY In this review, we focus our attention on the development of the reptilian and amphibian ovary. First, we review and describe the events leading to ovarian development, including sex determination and ovarian maturation, through a comparative lens. We then describe how these events are influenced by environmental factors, focusing on temperature and exposure to anthropogenic chemicals. Lastly, we identify critical knowledge gaps and future research directions that will be crucial to moving forward in our understanding of ovarian development and the influences of the environment in reptiles and amphibians. KEY MESSAGES Reptiles and amphibians provide excellent models for understanding the diversity of sex determination strategies and reproductive development. However, a greater understanding of the basic biology of these systems is necessary for deciphering the adaptive and potentially disruptive implications of embryo-by-environment interactions in a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Smaga
- Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
| | - Samantha L Bock
- Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
| | - Josiah M Johnson
- Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin B Parrott
- Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
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Holt WV, Fazeli A, Otero-Ferrer F. Sperm transport and male pregnancy in seahorses: An unusual model for reproductive science. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106854. [PMID: 34579988 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Syngnathidae (seahorses and pipefishes) are a group of teleost fishes in which, uniquely, developing embryos are hosted throughout pregnancy by males, using a specialized brood pouch situated on the abdomen or tail. Seahorses have evolved the most advanced form of brood pouch, whereby zygotes and embryos are intimately connected to the host's circulatory system and also bathed in pouch fluid. The pouch is closed to the external environment and has to perform functions such as gaseous exchange, removal of waste and maintenance of appropriate osmotic conditions, much like the mammalian placenta. Fertilization of the oocytes occurs within the brood pouch, but unlike the mammalian situation the sperm transport mechanism from the ejaculatory duct towards the pouch is unclear, and the sperm: egg ratio (about 5:1) is possibly the least of any vertebrate. In this review, there is highlighting of the difficulty of elucidating the sperm transport mechanism, based on studies of Hippocampus kuda. The similarities between seahorse pouch function and the mammalian placenta have led to suggestions that the pouch provides important nutritional support for the developing embryos, supplementing the nutritional functions of the yolk sac provided by the oocytes. In this review, there is a description of the recent evidence in support of this hypothesis, and also emphasis, as in mammals, that embryonic development depends on nutritional support from the placenta-like pouch at important stages of the gestational period ("critical windows").
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Affiliation(s)
- William V Holt
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Level 4, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield S10 2SF, UK.
| | - Alireza Fazeli
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tartu University, Tartu, Estonia; Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Francisco Otero-Ferrer
- University Institute of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU ECOAQUA) Scientific and Technological Marine Park, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35200, Spain
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García-Cabello KN, Fuentes-González JA, Saleh-Subaie N, Pienaar J, Zúñiga-Vega JJ. Increased superfetation precedes the evolution of advanced degrees of placentotrophy in viviparous fishes of the family Poeciliidae. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220173. [PMID: 36196554 PMCID: PMC9532978 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0173] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The causes and consequences of the evolution of placentotrophy (post-fertilization nutrition of developing embryos of viviparous organisms by means of a maternal placenta) in non-mammalian vertebrates are still not fully understood. In particular, in the fish family Poeciliidae there is an evolutionary link between placentotrophy and superfetation (ability of females to simultaneously bear embryos at distinct developmental stages), with no conclusive evidence for which of these two traits facilitates the evolution of more advanced degrees of the other. Using a robust phylogenetic comparative method based on Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models of adaptive evolution and data from 36 poeciliid species, we detected a clear causality pattern. The evolution of extensive placentotrophy has been facilitated by the preceding evolution of more simultaneous broods. Therefore, placentas became increasingly complex as an adaptive response to evolutionary increases in the degree of superfetation. This finding represents a substantial contribution to our knowledge of the factors that have shaped placental evolution in poeciliid fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla N. García-Cabello
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Nabila Saleh-Subaie
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Jason Pienaar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - J. Jaime Zúñiga-Vega
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
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Genome-Wide Identification of Laminin Family Related to Follicular Pseudoplacenta Development in Black Rockfish ( Sebastes schlegelii). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810523. [PMID: 36142434 PMCID: PMC9504374 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As major elements of the basement membrane, laminins play a significant role in angiogenesis, migration, and adhesion of various cells. Sebastes schlegelii is a marine viviparous teleost of commercial importance. Previous research has reported abundant blood vessels and connective tissue in the ovary during gestation. In this study, 14 laminin genes of the α, β, and γ subfamilies from genomic data were identified based on zebrafish and human laminins, distributed on 9 chromosomes in S. schlegelii. Analysis of structural domains showed that coiled-coil regions and EGF domains existed in all laminin genes. Moreover, via qPCR, we found that the expression of laminin genes, including lama4, lama5, lamb4, lamc1, and lamc3, gradually increased from the phase III ovary stage and peaked in the early stage of gestation, especially lama4 and lama5 which showed dramatically increased expression at the blastula stage. Accordingly, in situ hybridization of lama4 was conducted. The results revealed that signals became stronger following the phase IV ovary stage, and the strongest signals were located on the follicular pseudoplacenta at the blastula stage. These results suggest that the high expression of laminin genes, especially lama4 after fertilization, may drive cell proliferation, migration, and tissue expansion in the S. schlegelii ovary and ultimately promote follicular pseudoplacenta formation.
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Trevine VC, Grazziotin FG, Giraudo A, Sallesbery‐Pinchera N, Vianna JA, Zaher H. The systematics of Tachymenini (Serpentes, Dipsadidae): An updated classification based on molecular and morphological evidence. ZOOL SCR 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vivian C. Trevine
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação de Zoologia, Insituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | | | - Alejandro Giraudo
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (CONICET – UNL) Ciudad Universitaria Santa Fe Argentina
- Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias (FHUC – UNL) Ciudad Universitaria Santa Fe Argentina
| | - Nicole Sallesbery‐Pinchera
- Escuela Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad Ecología y Recursos Naturales Universidad Andrés Bello Santiago Chile
| | - Juliana A. Vianna
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation (CRG), Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Hussam Zaher
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
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Plianchaisuk A, Kusama K, Kato K, Sriswasdi S, Tamura K, Iwasaki W. Origination of LTR retroelement-derived NYNRIN coincides with therian placental emergence. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6661932. [PMID: 35959649 PMCID: PMC9447858 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the placenta is a revolutionary event in the evolution of therian mammals, to which some LTR retroelement–derived genes, such as PEG10, RTL1, and syncytin, are known to contribute. However, therian genomes contain many more LTR retroelement–derived genes that may also have contributed to placental evolution. We conducted large-scale evolutionary genomic and transcriptomic analyses to comprehensively search for LTR retroelement–derived genes whose origination coincided with therian placental emergence and that became consistently expressed in therian placentae. We identified NYNRIN as another Ty3/Gypsy LTR retroelement–derived gene likely to contribute to placental emergence in the therian stem lineage. NYNRIN knockdown inhibited the invasion of HTR8/SVneo invasive-type trophoblasts, whereas the knockdown of its nonretroelement-derived homolog KHNYN did not. Functional enrichment analyses suggested that NYNRIN modulates trophoblast invasion by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix remodeling and that the ubiquitin-proteasome system is responsible for the functional differences between NYNRIN and KHNYN. These findings extend our knowledge of the roles of LTR retroelement–derived genes in the evolution of therian mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnon Plianchaisuk
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kusama
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Kato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Sira Sriswasdi
- Center of Excellence in Computational Molecular Biology, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Kazuhiro Tamura
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Wataru Iwasaki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.,Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.,Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.,Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo. Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
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Abstract
Many human embryos die in utero owing to an excess or deficit of chromosomes, a phenomenon known as aneuploidy; this is largely a consequence of nondisjunction during maternal meiosis I. Asymmetries of this division render it vulnerable to selfish centromeres that promote their own transmission, these being thought to somehow underpin aneuploidy. In this essay, I suggest that these vulnerabilities provide only half the solution to the enigma. In mammals, as in utero and postnatal provisioning is continuous, the costs of early death are mitigated. With such reproductive compensation, selection can favour a centromere because it induces lethal aneuploidy: if, when taken towards the polar body, it instead kills the embryo via aneuploidy, it gains. The model is consistent with the observation that reduced dosage of a murine drive suppressor induces aneuploidy and with the fact that high aneuploidy rates in vertebrates are seen exclusively in mammals. I propose further tests of this idea. The wastefulness of human reproduction may be a price we pay for nurturing our offspring. Why do so many human embryos have the wrong number of chromosomes? So-called ’selfish centromeres’ and the fact that new embryos can be produced may provide an answer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence D. Hurst
- Wissenshaftskolleg zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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36
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Radiation of mushroom-forming fungi correlates with novel modes of protecting sexual fruiting bodies. Fungal Biol 2022; 126:556-565. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Mika K, Whittington CM, McAllan BM, Lynch VJ. Gene expression phylogenies and ancestral transcriptome reconstruction resolves major transitions in the origins of pregnancy. eLife 2022; 11:e74297. [PMID: 35770963 PMCID: PMC9275820 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural and physiological changes in the female reproductive system underlie the origins of pregnancy in multiple vertebrate lineages. In mammals, the glandular portion of the lower reproductive tract has transformed into a structure specialized for supporting fetal development. These specializations range from relatively simple maternal nutrient provisioning in egg-laying monotremes to an elaborate suite of traits that support intimate maternal-fetal interactions in Eutherians. Among these traits are the maternal decidua and fetal component of the placenta, but there is considerable uncertainty about how these structures evolved. Previously, we showed that changes in uterine gene expression contributes to several evolutionary innovations during the origins of pregnancy (Mika et al., 2021b). Here, we reconstruct the evolution of entire transcriptomes ('ancestral transcriptome reconstruction') and show that maternal gene expression profiles are correlated with degree of placental invasion. These results indicate that an epitheliochorial-like placenta evolved early in the mammalian stem-lineage and that the ancestor of Eutherians had a hemochorial placenta, and suggest maternal control of placental invasiveness. These data resolve major transitions in the evolution of pregnancy and indicate that ancestral transcriptome reconstruction can be used to study the function of ancestral cell, tissue, and organ systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn Mika
- Department of Human Genetics, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | | | | | - Vincent J Lynch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkBuffalo,NewyorkUnited States
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Xu X, Wang X, Liu Q, Qi X, Zhou L, Liu H, Li J. New insights on folliculogenesis and follicular placentation in marine viviparous fish black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). Gene X 2022; 827:146444. [PMID: 35378250 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146444] [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: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In viviparous fish, a considerable degree of variation in placental structures have been described. However, no distinct structures are reported in Scorpaenidae. In this study, we demonstrate a new type of folliculogenesis and follicular placentation in Sebastes schlegelii. Before copulation, the germinal epithelium gradually surrounds the oocytes and develops into individually follicles with a stalk-like structure hanging on the ovigerous lamella, which ensures each follicle have access to spermatozoa after copulation. From V to early gestation stage, the cyp17-I highly expressesaccompanied by cyp19a1a signals disappearance, and 11-ketotestosterone level keeps rising and peaks at blastula stage, while 17β-estradiol declines to the bottom. Meanwhile, the theca cells rapidly proliferate and invade outwards forming a highly hypertrophied and folded microvillous placenta. This unbalance of hormone might be an important factor driving the theca cells proliferation and invasion. Additionally, some conserved genes related to mammalian placentation are significantly high expression in follicular placenta suggesting the high convergence in vertebrate placenta evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Xu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Qinghua Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
| | - Xin Qi
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Li Zhou
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haoming Liu
- Weihai Shenghang Aquatic Science and Technology Co., LTD, Weihai, China; Fisheries Research Institute of Huancui District, Weihai, China
| | - Jun Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
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Endocytosis-mediated vitellogenin absorption and lipid metabolism in the hindgut-derived placenta of the viviparous teleost Xenotoca eiseni. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2022; 1867:159183. [PMID: 35660667 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2022.159183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Certain viviparous animals possess mechanisms for mother-to-embryo nutrient transport during gestation. Xenotoca eiseni is one such viviparous teleost species in which the mother supplies proteins and other components to the offspring developing in the ovary. The embryo possesses trophotaenia, hindgut-derived placental structure, to receive the maternal supplement. However, research on the molecular mechanisms underlying viviparous species is scarce in non-mammalian vertebrates, including teleosts. Thus, we conducted this study to investigate the mechanism for nutrient absorption and degradation in trophotaeniae of X. eiseni. A tracer assay indicated that a lipid transfer protein, vitellogenin (Vtg), was absorbed into the epithelial layer cells of the trophotaeniae. Vtg uptake was significantly suppressed by Pitstop-2, an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Gene expression analysis indicated that the genes involved in endocytosis-mediated lipolysis and lysosomal cholesterol transport were expressed in the trophotaeniae. In contrast, plasma membrane transporters expressed in the intestinal tract were not functional in the trophotaeniae. Our results suggested that endocytosis-mediated lysosomal lipolysis is one of the mechanisms underlying maternal component metabolism. Thus, our study demonstrated how viviparous teleost species have acquired a unique developmental system that is based on the hindgut-derived placenta.
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Uribe MC, De la Rosa-Cruz G, García-Alarcón A, Carlos Campuzano-Caballero J. Intraovarian Gestation in Viviparous Teleosts: Unique Type of Gestation among Vertebrates. Vet Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.100267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The intraovarian gestation, occurring in teleosts, makes this type of reproduction a such complex and unique condition among vertebrates. This type of gestation of teleosts is expressed in special morphological and physiological characteristic where occurs the viviparity and it is an essential component in the analysis of the evolutionary process of viviparity in vertebrates. In viviparous teleosts, during embryogenesis, there are not development of Müllerian ducts, which form the oviducts in the rest of vertebrates, as a result, exclusively in teleosts, there are not oviducts and the caudal region of the ovary, the gonoduct, connects the ovary to the exterior. The lack of oviducts defines that the embryos develop into the ovary, as intraovarian gestation. The ovary forms the oocytes which may develop different type of oogenesis, according with the storage of diverse amount of yolk, variation observed corresponding to the species. The viviparous gestation is characterized by the possible intimate contact between maternal and embryonic tissues, process that permits their metabolic interchanges. So, the nutrients obtained by the embryos could be deposited in the oocyte before fertilization, contained in the yolk (lecithotrophy), and may be completed during gestation by additional provisioning from maternal tissues to the embryo (matrotrophy). Then, essential requirements for viviparity in poeciliids and goodeids are characterized by: a) the diversification of oogenesis, with the deposition of different amount of yolk in the oocyte; b) the insemination, by the transfer of sperm to the female gonoduct and their transportation from the gonoduct to the germinal region of the ovary where the follicles develop; c) the intrafollicular fertilization; d) the intraovarian gestation with the development of embryos in intrafollicular gestation (as in poeciliids), or intraluminal gestation (as in goodeids); and, e) the origin of embryonic nutrition may be by lecithotrophy and matrotrophy. The focus of this revision compares the general and specific structural characteristics of the viviparity occurring into the intraovarian gestation in teleosts, defining this reproductive strategy, illustrated in this review with histological material in a poeciliid, of the species Poecilia latipinna (Lesueur, 1821) (Poeciliidae), and in a goodeid, of the species Xenotoca eiseni (Rutter, 1896) (Goodeidae).
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Domínguez-Guerrero SF, Méndez-de la Cruz FR, Manríquez-Morán NL, Olson ME, Galina-Tessaro P, Arenas-Moreno DM, Bautista-Del Moral A, Benítez-Villaseñor A, Gadsden H, Lara-Reséndiz RA, Maciel-Mata CA, Muñoz-Nolasco FJ, Santos-Bibiano R, Valdez-Villavicencio JH, Woolrich-Piña GA, Muñoz MM. Exceptional parallelisms characterize the evolutionary transition to live birth in phrynosomatid lizards. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2881. [PMID: 35610218 PMCID: PMC9130271 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30535-w] [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: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Viviparity, an innovation enhancing maternal control over developing embryos, has evolved >150 times in vertebrates, and has been proposed as an adaptation to inhabit cold habitats. Yet, the behavioral, physiological, morphological, and life history features associated with live-bearing remain unclear. Here, we capitalize on repeated origins of viviparity in phrynosomatid lizards to tease apart the phenotypic patterns associated with this innovation. Using data from 125 species and phylogenetic approaches, we find that viviparous phrynosomatids repeatedly evolved a more cool-adjusted thermal physiology than their oviparous relatives. Through precise thermoregulatory behavior viviparous phrynosomatids are cool-adjusted even in warm environments, and oviparous phrynosomatids warm-adjusted even in cool environments. Convergent behavioral shifts in viviparous species reduce energetic demand during activity, which may help offset the costs of protracted gestation. Whereas dam and offspring body size are similar among both parity modes, annual fecundity repeatedly decreases in viviparous lineages. Thus, viviparity is associated with a lower energetic allocation into production. Together, our results indicate that oviparity and viviparity are on opposing ends of the fast-slow life history continuum in both warm and cool environments. In this sense, the ‘cold climate hypothesis’ fits into a broader range of energetic/life history trade-offs that influence transitions to viviparity. There have been five independent transitions from egg laying to live birth in the phrynosomatid lizards. Here, Domínguez-Guerrero et al. identify parallel changes in physiology, life history and behaviour that characterize these transitions to live birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl F Domínguez-Guerrero
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. .,Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México. .,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México.
| | | | - Norma L Manríquez-Morán
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, 42184, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, México
| | - Mark E Olson
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Patricia Galina-Tessaro
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S. C., 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Diego M Arenas-Moreno
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Adán Bautista-Del Moral
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Adriana Benítez-Villaseñor
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Héctor Gadsden
- Instituto de Ecología, A. C., 61600, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México
| | - Rafael A Lara-Reséndiz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S. C., 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Zoología Aplicada, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, 5000, Argentina
| | - Carlos A Maciel-Mata
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, 42184, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, México
| | - Francisco J Muñoz-Nolasco
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rufino Santos-Bibiano
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | | | - Martha M Muñoz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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42
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Conflict and the evolution of viviparity in vertebrates. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03171-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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43
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The X-linked splicing regulator MBNL3 has been co-opted to restrict placental growth in eutherians. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001615. [PMID: 35476669 PMCID: PMC9084524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the regulatory interactions that control gene expression during the development of novel tissues is a key goal of evolutionary developmental biology. Here, we show that Mbnl3 has undergone a striking process of evolutionary specialization in eutherian mammals resulting in the emergence of a novel placental function for the gene. Mbnl3 belongs to a family of RNA-binding proteins whose members regulate multiple aspects of RNA metabolism. We find that, in eutherians, while both Mbnl3 and its paralog Mbnl2 are strongly expressed in placenta, Mbnl3 expression has been lost from nonplacental tissues in association with the evolution of a novel promoter. Moreover, Mbnl3 has undergone accelerated protein sequence evolution leading to changes in its RNA-binding specificities and cellular localization. While Mbnl2 and Mbnl3 share partially redundant roles in regulating alternative splicing, polyadenylation site usage and, in turn, placenta maturation, Mbnl3 has also acquired novel biological functions. Specifically, Mbnl3 knockout (M3KO) alone results in increased placental growth associated with higher Myc expression. Furthermore, Mbnl3 loss increases fetal resource allocation during limiting conditions, suggesting that location of Mbnl3 on the X chromosome has led to its role in limiting placental growth, favoring the maternal side of the parental genetic conflict.
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Xiao W, Chen Z, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Jiang H, Zhang H, Qu M, Lin Q, Qin G. Hepcidin Gene Co-Option Balancing Paternal Immune Protection and Male Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:884417. [PMID: 35529860 PMCID: PMC9073008 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.884417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viviparity has originated independently more than 150 times in vertebrates, while the male pregnancy only emerged in Syngnathidae fishes, such as seahorses. The typical male pregnancy seahorses have closed sophisticated brood pouch that act as both uterus and placenta, representing an excellent model system for studying the evolutionary process of paternal immune protection. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the hampII gene family has multiple tandem duplicated genes and shows independent lineage-specific expansion in seahorses, and they had the highest ratio of nonsynonymous substitutions to synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) in the seahorse phylogenetic branch. The expression levels of hampIIs in the brood pouch placenta were significantly higher during pregnancy than non-pregnancy. Both LPS stimulation test in vivo and cytotoxicity test in vitro proved the immunological protection function of hampIIs against pathogen infection in seahorse. Besides, seahorse hampII peptides exhibit weaker antibacterial function, but stronger agglutination and free endotoxin inhibition. We assumed that the modified immunological function seemed to be a trade-off between the resistance to microbial attack and offspring protection. In brief, this study suggests that the rapid co-option of hampIIs contributes to the evolutionary adaption to paternal immune care during male pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanghong Xiao
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zelin Chen
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongli Wu
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Han Jiang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Huixian Zhang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng Qu
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Lin
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Geng Qin, ; Qiang Lin,
| | - Geng Qin
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Geng Qin, ; Qiang Lin,
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45
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Spectacular alterations in the female reproductive system during the ovarian cycle and adaptations for matrotrophy in chernetid pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae). Sci Rep 2022; 12:6447. [PMID: 35440674 PMCID: PMC9018881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10283-z] [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: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudoscorpions are small matrotrophic chelicerates. The embryos develop in a brood sac and feed on the nutritive fluid provided by the female. It was widely accepted that the nutritive fluid is synthesized in the ovary. Recent studies have shown that in Chelifer cancroides, a representative of Cheliferidae, considered one of the most derived pseudoscorpion families, the nutritive fluid is produced not only in the ovary but also in the oviducts. Since evolution of adaptations for matrotrophy in pseudoscorpions is poorly known, we aimed to verify our hypothesis that pseudoscorpions of the family Chernetidae, closely related to Cheliferidae, share the traits of adaptations to matrotrophy in the structure and function of the female reproductive system with C. cancroides. We analysed the structure of the ovary and oviducts in five representatives of chernetids with light, confocal, and transmission electron microscopy. The results confirmed our hypothesis and provided new data which broaden our knowledge of matrotrophic pseudoscorpions. We show that in chernetids, the ovary and oviducts undergo significant alterations including their size, multistep hypertrophy and polyploidization of the epithelial cells involved in secretion of the nutritive fluid, the complex secretory activity of the epithelial cells, massive degeneration of the epithelial cells that have completed secretion, and epithelium renewal.
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46
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Piller KR, Parker E, Lemmon AR, Moriarty Lemmon E. Investigating the utility of Anchored Hybrid Enrichment data to investigate the relationships among the Killifishes (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontiformes), a globally distributed group of fishes. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 173:107482. [PMID: 35452841 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The Killifishes (Cyprinodontiformes) are a diverse and well-known group of fishes that contains sixteen families inclusive of Anablepidae, Aphaniidae Aplocheilidae, Cubanichthyidae, Cyprinodontidae, Fluviphylacidae, Fundulidae, Goodeidae, Nothobranchiidae, Orestiidae, Pantanodontidae, Poeciliidae, Procatopodidae, Profundulidae, Rivulidae, and Valenciidae and more than 1,200 species that are globally distributed in tropical and temperate, freshwater and estuarine habitats. The evolutionary relationships among the families within the group, based on different molecular and morphological data sets, have remained uncertain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use a targeted approach, anchored hybrid enrichment, to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among the families within the Cyprindontiformes. This study included more than 100 individuals, representing all sixteen families within the Cyprinodontiformes, including many recently diagnosed families. We recovered an average of 244 loci per individual. These data were submitted to phylogenetic analyses (RaxML and ASTRAL) and although we recovered many of the same relationships as in previous studies of the group, several novel sets of relationships for other families also were recovered. In addition, two well-established clades (Suborders Cyprinodontoidei and Aplocheilodei) were recovered as monophyletic and are in agreement with most previous studies. We also assessed the degree of gene tree discordance in our dataset to evaluate support for alternative topological hypotheses for interfamilial relationships within the Cyprinodontiformes using a variety of different analyses. The results from this study will provide a robust, historical framework needed to investigate a plethora of biogeographic, taxonomic, ecological, and physiological questions for this group of fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle R Piller
- Department of Biological Science, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402, USA.
| | - Elyse Parker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Alan R Lemmon
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Dirac Science Library, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4120, USA
| | - Emily Moriarty Lemmon
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Biomedical Research Facility, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4295, USA
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47
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Recknagel H, Premate E, Zakšek V, Aljančič G, Kostanjšek R, Trontelj P. Oviparity, viviparity or plasticity in reproductive mode of the olm Proteus anguinus: an epic misunderstanding caused by prey regurgitation? CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/18759866-bja10029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Cave animals are biological models of fast evolutionary change induced by transition to extreme subterranean environments. But their concealed lifestyle makes it inherently difficult to study life-history changes. Therefore, currently very little is known on the reproduction of cave species, and even less is known on general patterns and potentially shared reproductive strategies. Theory predicts that the cave environment favours the production of a few well-developed offspring and live birth. For one of the most enigmatic cave animals, the olm (Proteus anguinus), it has been debated fiercely whether they reproduce by live birth (viviparity), egg-laying (oviparity) or facultatively. While successes in captive breeding after the 1950s report oviparity as the single parity mode, some historically older observations claimed viviparity. The controversial neo-Lamarckist Paul Kammerer even claimed to have induced changes in parity mode by altering environmental conditions. Here, we report on the feeding and regurgitation of fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) larvae by olms. The salamander larvae showed clear teeth marks and other injuries on the head caused by the olm, yet one larva was still alive after regurgitation. We suggest that historical reports of olm viviparity could have been misled by regurgitated salamander larvae. Our data bring additional indications that at least some of Kammerer’s experiments were fraudulent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Recknagel
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia,
| | - Ester Premate
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia,
| | - Valerija Zakšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia,
| | - Gregor Aljančič
- Society for Cave Biology, Tular Cave Laboratory, Oldhamska cesta 8a, 4000, Kranj, Slovenia,
| | - Rok Kostanjšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia,
| | - Peter Trontelj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia,
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48
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Foster CSP, Van Dyke JU, Thompson MB, Smith NMA, Simpfendorfer CA, Murphy CR, Whittington CM. Different genes are recruited during convergent evolution of pregnancy and the placenta. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6564414. [PMID: 35388432 PMCID: PMC9048886 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The repeated evolution of the same traits in distantly related groups (convergent evolution) raises a key question in evolutionary biology: do the same genes underpin convergent phenotypes? Here we explore one such trait, viviparity (live birth), which qualitative studies suggest may indeed have evolved via genetic convergence. There are >150 independent origins of live birth in vertebrates, providing a uniquely powerful system to test the mechanisms underpinning convergence in morphology, physiology, and/or gene recruitment during pregnancy. We compared transcriptomic data from eight vertebrates (lizards, mammals, sharks) that gestate embryos within the uterus. Since many previous studies detected qualitative similarities in gene use during independent origins of pregnancy, we expected to find significant overlap in gene use in viviparous taxa. However, we found no more overlap in uterine gene expression associated with viviparity than we would expect by chance alone. Each viviparous lineage exhibits the same core set of uterine physiological functions, yet, contrary to prevailing assumptions about this trait, we find that none of the same genes are differentially expressed in all viviparous lineages, or even in all viviparous amniote lineages. Therefore, across distantly related vertebrates, different genes have been recruited to support the morphological and physiological changes required for successful pregnancy. We conclude that redundancies in gene function have enabled the repeated evolution of viviparity through recruitment of different genes from genomic 'toolboxes', which are uniquely constrained by the ancestries of each lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S P Foster
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James U Van Dyke
- School of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga campus, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael B Thompson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas M A Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Colin A Simpfendorfer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- School of Medical Sciences and The Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Camilla M Whittington
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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49
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Du WG, Shine R. The behavioural and physiological ecology of embryos: responding to the challenges of life inside an egg. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1272-1286. [PMID: 35166012 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Adaptations of post-hatching animals have attracted far more study than have embryonic responses to environmental challenges, but recent research suggests that we have underestimated the complexity and flexibility of embryos. We advocate a dynamic view of embryos as organisms capable of responding - on both ecological and evolutionary timescales - to their developmental environments. By viewing embryos in this way, rather than assuming an inability of pre-hatching stages to adapt and respond, we can broaden the ontogenetic breadth of evolutionary and ecological research. Both biotic and abiotic factors affect embryogenesis, and embryos exhibit a broad range of behavioural and physiological responses that enable them to deal with changes in their developmental environments in the course of interactions with their parents, with other embryos, with predators, and with the physical environment. Such plasticity may profoundly affect offspring phenotypes and fitness, and in turn influence the temporal and spatial dynamics of populations and communities. Future research in this field could benefit from an integrated framework that combines multiple approaches (field investigations, manipulative experiments, ecological modelling) to clarify the mechanisms and consequences of embryonic adaptations and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Guo Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
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50
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Nicolau GK, Jackson EA, Jordaan A, Alexander GJ. Tropidosaura essexi Hewitt, 1927 (Reptilia: Lacertidae) is live bearing: the only viviparous African lacertid. AFR J HERPETOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.2019839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gary K Nicolau
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Emily A Jackson
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Adriaan Jordaan
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Graham J Alexander
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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