1
|
Liu F, Liu A, Ye H. Identification of Crustacean Female Sex Hormone Receptor Involved in Sexual Differentiation of a Hermaphroditic Shrimp. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1456. [PMID: 37892140 PMCID: PMC10604874 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101456] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurohormone crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH) contains a highly conserved interleukin-17 (IL-17) domain in the mature peptide. Although CFSH has been demonstrated to stimulate female sexual differentiation in crustaceans, its receptors (CFSHR) have been poorly reported. The present study identified an IL-17 receptor (named Lvit-IL-17R), a candidate of CFSHR, from the protandric simultaneous hermaphroditic (PSH) shrimp Lysmata vittata through GST pulldown assays and RNAi experiments. Lvit-IL-17R is a transmembrane protein with an SEFIR (similar expression as the fibroblast growth factor and IL-17R) domain, as determined through sequence analysis. A GST pulldown experiment confirmed the interactions between the type I CFSHs (CFSH1a and CFSH1b) and Lvit-IL-17R. Meanwhile, the RNAi results revealed that Lvit-IL-17R displays similar functions to type I CFSHs in regulating sexual differentiation and gonad development. In brief, Lvit-IL-17R is a potential receptor for type I CFSHs aimed at regulating the sexual differentiation of the PSH species. This study helps shed new light on the mechanism of sexual differentiation among crustaceans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Haihui Ye
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China; (F.L.); (A.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu F, Liu A, Zhu Z, Wang Y, Ye H. Crustacean female sex hormone: More than a female phenotypes-related hormone in a protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism shrimp. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 238:124181. [PMID: 36965556 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH) is believed to regulate the development of female-related phenotypes in crustaceans. However, its role in gonadal development has been understudied. This study identified a CFSH gene, Lvit-CFSH1b, in the peppermint shrimp Lysmata vittata, a protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism (PSH) species. Lvit-CFSH1b is only expressed in the eyestalk ganglion. qRT-PCR showed that the expression level of Lvit-CFSH1b significantly increased with the gonad development from stage I to III (male phase) and decreased at stage IV (euhermaphrodite phase). Gene knockdown of Lvit-CFSH1b resulted in retardation of female phenotypes and stimulated the development of male phenotypes. At the same time, ovarian development was inhibited, and spermatogenesis was promoted. In addition, injection of rCFSH1b increased ovarian expression of vitellogenin (Lvit-Vg) and hepatopancreas expression of vitellogenin receptor (Lvit-VgR), while suppressing the expressions of insulin-like androgenic gland hormones (Lvit-IAG1 and Lvit-IAG2) in androgenic glands. The addition of rCFSH1b induced the in vitro expression of Lvit-Vg in ovarian and Lvit-VgR in hepatopancreas explants. In conclusion, this study provides convincing evidence that CFSH expedites the feminization process and impedes masculinization by inhibiting IAG in hermaphroditic crustaceans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China
| | - An Liu
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihuang Zhu
- Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen 361013, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haihui Ye
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fusco G, Minelli A. Descriptive versus causal morphology: gynandromorphism and intersexuality. Theory Biosci 2023; 142:1-11. [PMID: 36633802 PMCID: PMC9925516 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-023-00385-1] [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: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In animal species with separate sexes, abnormal individuals with a mix of phenotypically male and phenotypically female body parts are generally indicated as gynandromorphs, whereas individuals with intermediate sexual phenotypic traits are generally indicated as intersexes. However, this distinction, clear as it may seem, is neither universally agreed upon, nor free of critical issues. In consideration of the role of sex anomalies in understanding normal development, we reassess these phenomena of abnormal sexual development, taking into consideration the more recent advances in the study of sex determination and sexual differentiation. We argue that a distinction between gynandromorphism and intersexuality, although useful for descriptive purposes, is not always possible or sensible. We discuss the conceptual and terminological intricacies of the literature on this subject and provide reasons for largely, although not strictly, preferring a terminology based on descriptive rather than causal morphology, that is, on the observed phenotypic patterns rather on the causal process behind them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Fusco
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Minelli
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zarka J, Parmentier T, Wybouw N. Intersexuality in a natural population of the terrestrial isopod Porcellioscaber. Zookeys 2022; 1101:183-190. [PMID: 36760975 PMCID: PMC9848884 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1101.77212] [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: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intersex phenotypes are rarely observed in natural isopod populations and their expression is typically associated with infection of Wolbachia, a reproductive parasite that manipulates arthropod reproduction. During an intensive sampling effort of a natural population of the isopod Porcellioscaber, an adult individual was isolated that expressed both male and female traits. The intersex individual exhibited clearly developed external male genitalia and carried multiple eggs in its brood pouch. No Wolbachia infection could be identified in this individual, a result that needs to be approached with caution due to suboptimal DNA preservation for diagnostic PCR assays. Wolbachia were, however, detected in two adult females of the same population, and appear closely related to isolates that infect other terrestrial isopod species. This is the first demonstration that intersex phenotypes can arise under natural conditions in P.scaber.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Zarka
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumGhent UniversityGentBelgium
| | - Thomas Parmentier
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumGhent UniversityGentBelgium,Research Unit of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Namur Institute of Complex Systems, and Institute of Life, Earth, and the Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, BelgiumUniversity of NamurNamurBelgium
| | - Nicky Wybouw
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumGhent UniversityGentBelgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jimenez-Gutierrez LR. Female reproduction-specific proteins, origins in marine species, and their evolution in the animal kingdom. J Bioinform Comput Biol 2022; 20:2240001. [PMID: 35023815 DOI: 10.1142/s0219720022400017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The survival of a species largely depends on the ability of individuals to reproduce, thus perpetuating their life history. The advent of metazoans (i.e. pluricellular animals) brought about the evolution of specialized tissues and organs, which in turn led to the development of complex protein regulatory pathways. This study sought to elucidate the evolutionary relationships between female reproduction-associated proteins by analyzing the transcriptomes of representative species from a selection of marine invertebrate phyla. Our study identified more than 50 reproduction-related genes across a wide evolutionary spectrum, from Porifera to Vertebrata. Among these, a total of 19 sequences had not been previously reported in at least one phylum, particularly in Porifera. Moreover, most of the structural differences between these proteins did not appear to be determined by environmental pressures or reproductive strategies, but largely obeyed a distinguishable evolutionary pattern from sponges to mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rebeca Jimenez-Gutierrez
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico 82000, Mexico.,CONACYT, Direccion de Catedras- CONACYT, CDMX, Mexico 03940, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Martins I, Guerra A, Leite N, Constantino E, Ilarri MI, Souza AT, Santos MM, Ford AT, Campos J. Comparing production and life-history traits of a key amphipod species within and between estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 173:105538. [PMID: 34844058 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Inter-population variability may arise as a response to adverse natural and anthropogenic stressors. The dynamics of a key amphipod species (Echinogammarus marinus) was followed during ≈ 1-year at its southerly range (NW Portugal), in three estuaries with different levels of anthropogenic pressure (High - Ave estuary; Moderate - Mondego estuary; Low - Minho estuary). We hypothesised that E. marinus populations would present lower production and fitness, and higher intersexuality incidence with increasing anthropogenic pressure. According to a GAM model explaining ≈70% of the observed variability, E. marinus biomass depends on temperature, organic matter, Fucus area and time of the year. Significant differences were found between the gammarid biomass in Minho and Mondego estuaries and within sites from the same estuary. As expected, Ave estuary exhibited the lowest average annual production, abundance and fecundity rates. However, the highest average production was found in Mondego and not in Minho estuary, although the turnover ratio (P/B) of both estuaries was very similar. Besides the system's global ecological status, E. marinus also seems to respond to microhabitat conditions, which may explain the spatial heterogeneity observed in the amphipod production within the same estuary. Intersexuality prevalence was negligible in the three populations, which does not support the idea of a link between anthropogenic pressure and intersexuality in E. marinus. We argue that the dependence of E. marinus on Fucus sp. should be further investigated to fully understand the role of both fucoids and the gammarid in coastal foodwebs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Martins
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A Guerra
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - N Leite
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal; SEAentia - Science Based Aquaculture, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 2, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - E Constantino
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M I Ilarri
- CIIMAR- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - A T Souza
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - M M Santos
- CIIMAR- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A T Ford
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Institute of Marine Sciences Laboratories, Langstone Harbour, Ferry Road, Eastney, Portsmouth, P04 9LY, UK
| | - J Campos
- CIIMAR- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Grinshpan N, Abayed FA, Wahl M, Ner-Gaon H, Manor R, Sagi A, Shay T. The transcriptional landscape of the giant freshwater prawn: Embryonic development and early sexual differentiation mechanisms. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1059936. [PMID: 36568080 PMCID: PMC9767951 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1059936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The giant freshwater prawn pjMacrobrachium rosenbergii is one of the best studied species in aquaculture. However, the transcriptional changes associated with embryonic development and the sexual differentiation mechanism of M. rosenbergii remain to be elucidated. To characterize the embryonic development of this prawn and to determine whether differential expression and differential splicing play roles in the early sexual differentiation of M. rosenbergii, we profiled five developmental days of male and female embryos by RNA sequencing. We identified modules of co-expressed genes representing waves of transcription that correspond to physiological processes in early embryonic development (such as the maternal-to-zygotic transition) up to preparation for life outside the egg (development of muscles, cuticle etc.). Additionally, we found that hundreds of genes are differentially expressed between sexes, most of them uncharacterized, suggesting that the sex differentiation mechanism of M. rosenbergii might contain clade-specific elements. The resulting first-of-a-kind transcriptional map of embryonic development of male and female M. rosenbergii will guide future studies to reveal the roles of specific genes and splicing isoforms in the embryonic development and sexual differentiation process of M. rosenbergii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nufar Grinshpan
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Faiza A.A. Abayed
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Melody Wahl
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hadas Ner-Gaon
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Amir Sagi, ; Tal Shay,
| | - Tal Shay
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Amir Sagi, ; Tal Shay,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Inui N, Oguchi K, Shinji J, Okanishi M, Shimomura M, Miura T. Parasitism-Induced Intersexuality in a Sexually Dimorphic Varunid Crab, Ptychognathus ishii (Decapoda: Varunidae). Zoolog Sci 2021; 38:416-426. [PMID: 34664916 DOI: 10.2108/zs210049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although many animals that perform sexual reproduction exhibit sexual dimorphism, individuals with intersex traits between the traits of males and females appear in some species, depending on environmental factors. Ptychognathus ishii, a varunid crab, exhibits distinctive sexual dimorphism in the morphology of its abdomen, chelipeds and setal tufts on the chelipeds. In this study, however, we report for the first time that intersex individuals with intermediate characters between those of males and females were occasionally found in wild populations. Morphological features of intersex individuals are described. Their taxonomic positions are identified based on DNA sequences of part of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. It was shown that the intersexuality was induced by entoniscid parasites, because all intersex individuals were parasitized by entoniscid isopods, identified as Entionella sp. The apparent correlation between parasitism and morphological anomalies suggests that the parasitic isopods affect physiological conditions, leading to the feminization of male hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Inui
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Misaki, Miura, Kanagawa 238-0225, Japan
| | - Kohei Oguchi
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Misaki, Miura, Kanagawa 238-0225, Japan.,National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8566, Japan
| | - Junpei Shinji
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Misaki, Miura, Kanagawa 238-0225, Japan.,Center for Ocean Literacy and Education, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Masanori Okanishi
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Misaki, Miura, Kanagawa 238-0225, Japan
| | - Michitaka Shimomura
- Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Kyoto University, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama 649-2211, Japan
| | - Toru Miura
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Misaki, Miura, Kanagawa 238-0225, Japan,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Knigge T, LeBlanc GA, Ford AT. A Crab Is Not a Fish: Unique Aspects of the Crustacean Endocrine System and Considerations for Endocrine Toxicology. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:587608. [PMID: 33737907 PMCID: PMC7961072 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.587608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crustaceans-and arthropods in general-exhibit many unique aspects to their physiology. These include the requirement to moult (ecdysis) in order to grow and reproduce, the ability to change color, and multiple strategies for sexual differentiation. Accordingly, the endocrine regulation of these processes involves hormones, receptors, and enzymes that differ from those utilized by vertebrates and other non-arthropod invertebrates. As a result, environmental chemicals known to disrupt endocrine processes in vertebrates are often not endocrine disruptors in crustaceans; while, chemicals that disrupt endocrine processes in crustaceans are often not endocrine disruptors in vertebrates. In this review, we present an overview of the evolution of the endocrine system of crustaceans, highlight endocrine endpoints known to be a target of disruption by chemicals, and identify other components of endocrine signaling that may prove to be targets of disruption. This review highlights that crustaceans need to be evaluated for endocrine disruption with consideration of their unique endocrine system and not with consideration of the endocrine system of vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Knigge
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULH Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), Université Le Havre Normandie, Le Havre, France
- *Correspondence: Thomas Knigge,
| | - Gerald A. LeBlanc
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Alex T. Ford
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Oetken M, Adler M, Alt K, Bachmann J, Dombrowski A, Duhme F, Gabriel AL, Grünewald J, Jourdan J, Lück M, Mensch C, Rösch D, Ruthemann A, Terres S, Völker ML, Wilhelm F, Oehlmann J. The Occurrence of Intersex in Different Populations of the Marine Amphipod Echinogammarus marinus in North-West Brittany - A Longterm-Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:816418. [PMID: 35002985 PMCID: PMC8740121 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.816418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past two decades, an increasing body of studies has been published on the intersex phenomenon in separate-sexed crustaceans from marine and freshwater ecosystems. Various causes are being considered that could have an influence on the occurrence of intersex. Besides genetic factors, environmental conditions such as photoperiodicity, temperature, salinity and parasitism, but also environmental pollution with endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are discussed. As part of a long-term monitoring (2012 - 2020) in north-west Brittany, we recorded the occurrence of intersex in the marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus. We quantified the intersex incidence at marine and estuarine sites and analyzed the incidence in relation to the endocrine potential of the sediments. Intersex occurred with mean frequencies between 0.87% and 12%. It was striking that the incidence of intersex increased with increasing distance from the sea. Since the highest incidence was observed at the range boundary of this stenohaline species, we assume that intersex is triggered by endocrine potential and increasing stress due to increasing freshwater content - and thus an interplay of different environmental factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Oetken
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- *Correspondence: Matthias Oetken,
| | - Marissa Adler
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katharina Alt
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jean Bachmann
- Pharmaceuticals, German Environment Agency (UBA), Dessau, Germany
| | - Andrea Dombrowski
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Franziska Duhme
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anna-Louise Gabriel
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Judith Grünewald
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jonas Jourdan
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maren Lück
- Department System Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carola Mensch
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Dominik Rösch
- German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Koblenz, Germany
| | - Anna Ruthemann
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Terres
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maja Lorina Völker
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Wilhelm
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ford AT, LeBlanc GA. Endocrine Disruption in Invertebrates: A Survey of Research Progress. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:13365-13369. [PMID: 33050691 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Manmade chemicals can interfere with endocrine processes and have permeated many ecosystems. Arguably, the most devastating example of endocrine disruption occurred in gastropod molluscs which led to the banning of tributyltin. The invertebrates consist of ∼95% of all known animals and possess endocrine systems that can significantly differ from that of vertebrates. An expert group in the late 1990s highlighted considerable paucity in our knowledge of these endocrine systems and the limited ability to ascertain risks of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to invertebrates. Twenty years later, we surveyed experts in this field on the current state of the science. Respondents agreed that endocrine disruption is still a significant issue and noted that there was key evidence that EDCs were impacting invertebrates groups. Respondents noted a variety of impediments to advancing the science, including inadequate funding, insufficient knowledge to develop appropriate assays, and generally low support for invertebrate studies. Several scientists highlighted that resources were being misdirected with studies that address impacts of vertebrate EDCs or using biomarkers specific to vertebrate endocrine disruption. Sadly, many of the recommendations proposed by respondents matched those made over two decades ago. Accordingly, the field has not advanced as much as one might have expected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex T Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, United Kingdom
| | - Gerald A LeBlanc
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Two Doublesex1 mutants revealed a tunable gene network underlying intersexuality in Daphnia magna. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238256. [PMID: 32866176 PMCID: PMC7458346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the binary definition of sex is being challenged by repetitive reports about individuals with ambiguous sexual identity from various animal groups. This has created an urge to decode the molecular mechanism underlying sexual development. However, sexual ambiguities are extremely uncommon in nature, limiting their experimental value. Here, we report the establishment of a genetically modified clone of Daphnia magna from which intersex daphniids can be readily generated. By mutating the conserved central sex determining factor Doublesex1, body-wide feminization of male daphniid could be achieved. Comparative transcriptomic analysis also revealed a genetic network correlated with Doublesex1 activity which may account for the establishment of sexual identity in D. magna. We found that Dsx1 repressed genes related to growth and promoted genes related to signaling. We infer that different intersex phenotypes are the results of fluctuation in activity of these Dsx1 downstream factors. Our results demonstrated that the D. magna genome is capable of expressing sex in a continuous array, supporting the idea that sex is actually a spectrum.
Collapse
|
13
|
Jerome FC, Hassan A, Chukwuka AV. Metalloestrogen uptake, antioxidant modulation and ovotestes development in Callinectes amnicola (blue crab): A first report of crustacea intersex in the Lagos lagoon (Nigeria). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 704:135235. [PMID: 31831227 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fisayo Christie Jerome
- Fisheries Resources Department, Marine Biology Section, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | - Azubuike Victor Chukwuka
- Conservation Unit, Environmental Quality Control Department, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Osun State Field-Office, Osun State Field-Office, Osogbo-Nigeria, Nigeria.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Potential Health Risks Linked to Emerging Contaminants in Major Rivers and Treated Waters. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11122615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in our local waterways is becoming an increasing threat to the surrounding population. These compounds and their degradation products (found in pesticides, herbicides, and plastic waste) are known to interfere with a range of biological functions from reproduction to differentiation. To better understand these effects, we used an in silico ontological pathway analysis to identify the genes affected by the most commonly detected EDCs in large river water supplies, which we grouped together based on four common functions: Organismal injuries, cell death, cancer, and behavior. In addition to EDCs, we included the opioid buprenorphine in our study, as this similar ecological threat has become increasingly detected in river water supplies. Through the identification of the pleiotropic biological effects associated with both the acute and chronic exposure to EDCs and opioids in local water supplies, our results highlight a serious health threat worthy of additional investigations with a potential emphasis on the effects linked to increased DNA damage.
Collapse
|
15
|
Grabner D, Sures B. Amphipod parasites may bias results of ecotoxicological research. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2019; 136:123-134. [PMID: 31575839 DOI: 10.3354/dao03355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Amphipods are commonly used test organisms in ecotoxicological studies. Nevertheless, their naturally occurring parasites have mostly been neglected in these investigations, even though several groups of parasites can have a multitude of effects, e.g. on host survival, physiology, or behavior. In the present review, we summarize the knowledge on the effects of Microsporidia and Acanthocephala, 2 common and abundant groups of parasites in amphipods, on the outcome of ecotoxicological studies. Parasites can have significant effects on toxicological endpoints (e.g. mortality, biochemical markers) that are unexpected in some cases (e.g. down-regulation of heat shock protein 70 response in infected individuals). Therefore, parasites can bias the interpretation of results, for example if populations with different parasite profiles are compared, or if toxicological effects are masked by parasite effects. With the present review, we would like to encourage ecotoxicologists to consider parasites as an additional factor if field-collected test organisms are analyzed for biomarkers. Additionally, we suggest intensification of research activities on the effects of parasites in amphipods in connection with other stressors to disentangle parasite and pollution effects and to improve our understanding of parasite effects in this host taxon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Grabner
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jourdan J, Piro K, Weigand A, Plath M. Small-scale phenotypic differentiation along complex stream gradients in a non-native amphipod. Front Zool 2019; 16:29. [PMID: 31338113 PMCID: PMC6624920 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-019-0327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Selective landscapes in rivers are made up by an array of selective forces that vary from source to downstream regions or between seasons, and local/temporal variation in fitness maxima can result in gradual spatio-temporal variation of phenotypic traits. This study aimed at establishing freshwater amphipods as future model organisms to study adaptive phenotypic diversification (evolutionary divergence and/or adaptive plasticity) along stream gradients. Methods We collected Gammarus roeselii from 16 sampling sites in the Rhine catchment during two consecutive seasons (summer and winter). Altogether, we dissected n = 1648 individuals and quantified key parameters related to morphological and life-history diversification, including naturally selected (e.g., gill surface areas) as well as primarily sexually selected traits (e.g., male antennae). Acknowledging the complexity of selective regimes in streams and the interrelated nature of selection factors, we assessed several abiotic (e.g., temperature, flow velocity) and biotic ecological parameters (e.g., conspecific densities, sex ratios) and condensed them into four principal components (PCs). Results Generalized least squares models revealed pronounced phenotypic differentiation in most of the traits investigated herein, and components of the stream gradient (PCs) explained parts of the observed differences. Depending on the trait under investigation, phenotypic differentiation could be ascribed to variation in abiotic conditions, anthropogenic disturbance (influx of thermally polluted water), or population parameters. For example, female fecundity showed altitudinal variation and decreased with increasing conspecific densities, while sexual dimorphism in the length of male antennae—used for mate finding and assessment—increased with increasing population densities and towards female-biased sex ratios. Conclusions We provide a comprehensive protocol for comparative analyses of intraspecific variation in life history traits in amphipods. Whether the observed phenotypic differentiation over small geographical distances reflects evolutionary divergence or plasticity (or both) remains to be investigated in future studies. Independent of the mechanisms involved, variation in several traits is likely to have consequences for ecosystem functions. For example, leaf-shredding in G. roeselii strongly depends on body size, which varied in dependence of several ecological parameters. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12983-019-0327-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Jourdan
- 1Department of Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Piro
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany
| | - Alexander Weigand
- National Museum of Natural History Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Martin Plath
- 4College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China.,5Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Erraud A, Bonnard M, Duflot A, Geffard A, Danger JM, Forget-Leray J, Xuereb B. Assessment of sperm quality in palaemonid prawns using Comet assay: methodological optimization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:11226-11237. [PMID: 28326483 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8754-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to adapt the Comet assay in spermatozoa of the marine prawn Palaemon serratus to use it as a marker of sperm quality. Indeed, due to the characteristics of their spermatozoa, the measurement of DNA integrity is one of the few markers which can be transferred to crustaceans to assess the quality of their semen. In the first step, the methods of collecting and maintaining spermatozoa were optimized. Cell survival was estimated during kinetics of preservation (i.e. 1, 2, 4 and 8 h) in various suspension media to define artificial seawater (ASW) as optimal. Several methods in the releasing of spermatozoa from the spermatophore of prawns were estimated with regard to their incidence both on the efficiency of extraction and the survival of cells. Pipetting up and down turned out to be the most successful and the least invasive technique. Secondly, the transfer of Comet assay was optimized by studying various times in both cell lysis (i.e. 1, 6, 18 h) and DNA denaturation (i.e. 15, 30 and 45 min), after in vitro exposure of spermatozoa to an H2O2 gradient as model genotoxicant. Results revealed that a minimum of 1 h in cell lysis and 15 min of DNA denaturation were sufficient to obtain valuable results, linked with a low compaction of DNA in spermatozoa of Palaemon sp. Finally, the sensitivity of P. serratus spermatozoa was assessed after in vitro exposures to model genotoxicants displaying various modes of interaction with DNA (i.e. UV-C, 13.3-79.5 J m-2; H2O2, 5-10 μM and MMS, 0.5-5 mM) and some environmental contaminants known or suspected to be genotoxic (i.e. cadmium and diuron, 0.015-1.5 μg L-1; carbamazepine, 0.1-10 μg L-1) for invertebrates. The low variability of the baseline level of DNA strand breaks recorded in controls highlighted the robustness of the method. P. serratus spermatozoa displayed significant DNA damage from the lowest doses tested for all model genotoxicants, but conversely, no genotoxic effect of tested environmental contaminants was observed. These results, which are discussed according to the protocol tested in the present study and the comparison with literature data, could suggest a difference in the response or sensitivity of spermatozoa to environmental genotoxicity between invertebrate species, and therefore the interest of Palaemonidae prawns in ecogenotoxicology. In conclusion, the present study underlines the potential of the Comet assay as a marker to assess the contamination impact on the sperm quality in Palaemonidae prawns in view to a potential application for in situ biomonitoring surveys.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Erraud
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, UMR I-02 SEBIO, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, 76600, Le Havre, France
| | - Marc Bonnard
- Université Reims Champagne Ardenne, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, 51100, Reims, France
| | - Aurélie Duflot
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, UMR I-02 SEBIO, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, 76600, Le Havre, France
| | - Alain Geffard
- Université Reims Champagne Ardenne, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, 51100, Reims, France
| | - Jean-Michel Danger
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, UMR I-02 SEBIO, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, 76600, Le Havre, France
| | - Joëlle Forget-Leray
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, UMR I-02 SEBIO, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, 76600, Le Havre, France
| | - Benoît Xuereb
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, UMR I-02 SEBIO, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, 76600, Le Havre, France.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Christie AE, Cieslak MC, Roncalli V, Lenz PH, Major KM, Poynton HC. Prediction of a peptidome for the ecotoxicological model Hyalella azteca (Crustacea; Amphipoda) using a de novo assembled transcriptome. Mar Genomics 2018; 38:67-88. [PMID: 29395622 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Due to its sensitivity to many environmental and anthropogenic stressors, including a wide range of chemical compounds, Hyalella azteca, a freshwater amphipod, has emerged as one of the most commonly used invertebrates for ecotoxicological assessment.Peptidergic signaling systems are key components in the control of organism-environment interactions, and there is a growing literature suggesting that they are targets of a number of aquatic toxicants.Interestingly, and despite its model species status in the field of ecotoxicology, little is known about the peptide hormones of H. azteca.Here, a transcriptome was produced for this species using the de novo assembler Trinity and mined for sequences encoding putative peptide precursors; the transcriptome was assembled from 460,291,636 raw reads and consists of 133,486 unique transcripts.Seventy-six sequences encoding peptide pre/preprohormones were identified from this transcriptome, allowing for the prediction of 202 distinct peptides, which included members of the allatostatin A, allatostatin B, allatostatin C, allatotropin, bursicon, CCHamide, corazonin, crustacean cardioactive peptide, crustacean hyperglycemic hormone/molt-inhibiting hormone, ecdysis-triggering hormone, eclosion hormone, elevenin, FMRFamide-like peptide, glycoprotein hormone, GSEFLamide, inotocin, leucokinin, myosuppressin, neuropeptide F, orcokinin, orcomyotropin, pigment dispersing hormone, proctolin, pyrokinin, red pigment concentrating hormone, RYamide, short neuropeptide F, SIFamide, sulfakinin, tachykinin-related peptide and trissin families.These peptides expand the known peptidome for H. azteca approximately nine-fold, forming a strong foundation for future studies of peptidergic control, including disruption by aquatic toxicants, in this important ecotoxicological model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Christie
- Békésy Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Matthew C Cieslak
- Békésy Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Vittoria Roncalli
- Békésy Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Petra H Lenz
- Békésy Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Kaley M Major
- School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Helen C Poynton
- School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Grilo TF, Rosa R. Intersexuality in aquatic invertebrates: Prevalence and causes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 592:714-728. [PMID: 28325592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This review is the first assembling information on intersexuality in aquatic invertebrates, from freshwater to estuarine and marine environments. Intersex is a condition whereby an individual of a gonochorist (separate sexes) species has oocytes or distinct stages of spermatogonia, at varying degrees of development, within the normal gonad of the opposite gender (i.e. spermatocytes in the ovary or oocytes in the testis), often involving alterations in the gonadal structure, reproductive tract or external genitalia. By the end of 2016 we found approximately 340 records of aquatic invertebrate species evidencing signs of intersexuality (or imposex), all comprised within the Phyla Mollusca and Arthropoda. Gastropod molluscs are by far the group with more examples documented (256 species), followed by crustaceans, i.e., decapods, copepods and amphipods. To our knowledge no further cases of intersexuality were known concerning other invertebrate taxa. Despite some reports suggesting that a baseline level of intersexuality may occur naturally in some populations, the causes are multifaceted and mostly linked with environmental contamination by estrogenic and organotin endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), parasitism, and genetic/environmental sex determination abnormalities. A more comprehensive discussion about the origin of intersexuality, prevalence and causes, knowledge gaps and future research directions in the light of new omics scientific advances (genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics) is also provided. The lack of studies linking molecular responses of invertebrate intersex individuals to multiple stressors represents a true challenge to be further investigated in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago F Grilo
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal.
| | - Rui Rosa
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Harlıoğlu MM, Yonar ME, Harlıoğlu AG, Yonar SM, Farhadi A. Effects of different methods and times of 17β-estradiol treatment on the feminization success in the narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823). INVERTEBR REPROD DEV 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/07924259.2017.1340353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
21
|
Green Etxabe A, Short S, Flood T, Johns T, Ford AT. Pronounced and prevalent intersexuality does not impede the 'Demon Shrimp' invasion. PeerJ 2015; 3:e757. [PMID: 25699206 PMCID: PMC4327250 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Crustacean intersexuality is widespread and often linked to infection by sex-distorting parasites. However, unlike vertebrate intersexuality, its association with sexual dysfunction is unclear and remains a matter of debate. The ‘Demon Shrimp,’ Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, an amphipod that has invaded continental waterways, has recently become widespread in Britain. Intersexuality has been noted in D. haemobaphes but not investigated further. We hypothesise that a successful invasive population should not display a high prevalence of intersexuality if this condition represents a truly dysfunctional phenotype. In addition, experiments have indicated that particular parasite burdens in amphipods may facilitate invasions. The rapid and ongoing invasion of British waterways represents an opportunity to determine whether these hypotheses are consistent with field observations. This study investigates the parasites and sexual phenotypes of D. haemobaphes in British waterways, characterising parasite burdens using molecular screening, and makes comparisons with the threatened Gammarus pulex natives. We reveal that invasive and native populations have distinct parasitic profiles, suggesting the loss of G. pulex may have parasite-mediated eco-system impacts. Furthermore, the parasite burdens are consistent with those previously proposed to facilitate biological invasions. Our study also indicates that while no intersexuality occurs in the native G. pulex, approximately 50% of D. haemobaphes males present pronounced intersexuality associated with infection by the microsporidian Dictyocoela berillonum. This unambiguously successful invasive population presents, to our knowledge, the highest reported prevalence of male intersexuality. This is the clearest evidence to date that such intersexuality does not represent a form of debilitating sexual dysfunction that negatively impacts amphipod populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amaia Green Etxabe
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth , United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Short
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth , United Kingdom
| | - Tim Flood
- Environment Agency , Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire , UK
| | - Tim Johns
- Environment Agency , Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire , UK
| | - Alex T Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth , United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Rumbold CE, Obenat SM, Leonardi MS, Spivak ED. Intersex in the gonochoristic crustaceanTanais dulongii(Audouin, 1826) (Peracarida: Tanaidacea: Tanaididae): a comparison of external reproductive characteristics. J NAT HIST 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2014.981309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
23
|
Short S, Yang G, Guler Y, Green Etxabe A, Kille P, Ford AT. Crustacean intersexuality is feminization without demasculinization: implications for environmental toxicology. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:13520-13529. [PMID: 25343324 DOI: 10.1021/es5050503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The dysfunction associated with intersexuality in vertebrates and molluscs is often a serious threat to ecosystems. Although poorly understood, crustacean intersexuality is associated with contamination and includes forms linked to increased sex-ratio distorting parasites at polluted sites. Despite the importance of crustaceans for monitoring vulnerable aquatic habitats, little is known about the molecular basis of this abnormal sexual differentiation and any associated sexual dysfunction. To increase the relevance of crustaceans to environmental toxicologists, we comprehensively analyzed gene expression in amphipods presenting parasite- and nonparasite-associated intersexuality. Our findings reveal existing vertebrate biomarkers of feminization should not be applied to crustaceans, as orthologous genes are not induced in feminized amphipods. Furthermore, in contrast to vertebrates, where feminization and intersexuality is often associated with deleterious demasculinization, we find males maintain masculinity even when unambiguously feminized. This reveals a considerable regulatory separation of the gene pathways responsible for male and female characteristics and demonstrates that evidence of feminization (even if detected with appropriate biomarkers) is not a proxy for demasculinization in crustaceans. This study has also produced a comprehensive spectrum of potential molecular biomarkers that, when combined with our new molecular understanding, will greatly facilitate the use of crustaceans to monitor aquatic habitats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Short
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth , Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Trapp J, Armengaud J, Pible O, Gaillard JC, Abbaci K, Habtoul Y, Chaumot A, Geffard O. Proteomic Investigation of Male Gammarus fossarum, a Freshwater Crustacean, in Response to Endocrine Disruptors. J Proteome Res 2014; 14:292-303. [DOI: 10.1021/pr500984z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Trapp
- Irstea, Unité
de Recherche MALY, Laboratoire d’écotoxicologie, CS70077, F-69626 Villeurbanne, France
- CEA, DSV, IBEB,
Lab Biochim System Perturb, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | - Jean Armengaud
- CEA, DSV, IBEB,
Lab Biochim System Perturb, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | - Olivier Pible
- CEA, DSV, IBEB,
Lab Biochim System Perturb, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | | | - Khedidja Abbaci
- Irstea, Unité
de Recherche MALY, Laboratoire d’écotoxicologie, CS70077, F-69626 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Yassine Habtoul
- Irstea, Unité
de Recherche MALY, Laboratoire d’écotoxicologie, CS70077, F-69626 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Arnaud Chaumot
- Irstea, Unité
de Recherche MALY, Laboratoire d’écotoxicologie, CS70077, F-69626 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Olivier Geffard
- Irstea, Unité
de Recherche MALY, Laboratoire d’écotoxicologie, CS70077, F-69626 Villeurbanne, France
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Short S, Yang G, Kille P, Ford AT. Vitellogenin is not an appropriate biomarker of feminisation in a crustacean. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 153:89-97. [PMID: 24342352 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The expression of the yolk protein vitellogenin (Vtg) has been used as a biomarker of feminisation in multiple fish species throughout the world. Since the late 1990s, researchers have attempted to develop similar biomarkers to address whether reproductive endocrine disruption also occurs in the males of invertebrate groups such as the Crustacea. To date, the vast majority of studies investigating Vtg induction in male Crustacea have resulted in negative or inconclusive results, leading researchers to question the utility of Vtg expression as a biomarker in this taxon. This study measured the expression of Vtg genes in two intersex phenotypes (termed internal and external) found in the male amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus, and compared them with those of normal males and females. Males presenting the external intersex phenotype are infected with known feminising parasites and display a variety of feminised traits including oviduct structures on their testes and external female brood plates (oostegites). The internal intersex male phenotype, that displays a pronounced oviduct structure on the testes without the external intersex characteristics, is not parasite infected and it is thought to be a result of environmental contamination. Given their morphology, these phenotypes might be considered highly 'feminised' or 'de-masculinised' and can be utilised to test the suitability of feminisation biomarkers. The E. marinus transcriptome was searched for genes resembling Vtg and two sequences were revealed, that we subsequently refer to as Vtg1 and Vtg2. Results from a high-throughput transcriptomic sequencing screen of gonadal cDNA libraries suggested that very low expression (in this manuscript gene transcription is taken to represent gene expression, although it is acknowledged that in addition to transcription, translation, transcript processing, mRNA stability and protein stability can regulate gene expression) of Vtg1 and Vtg2 in normal males (ESTs=1 and 0 for Vtg1 and Vtg2, respectively), internal intersex males (ESTs=0 for both Vtg sequences) and external intersex males (ESTs=5 and 0 for Vtg1 and Vtg2, respectively). In contrast, the sequencing suggested notable levels of expression of both Vtg genes in females (ESTs=1133 and 84 for Vtg1 and Vtg2, respectively). Subsequent qPCR analysis validates these expression levels, with the signal for Vtg1 and Vtg2 transcripts in all male phenotypes being indistinguishable from that caused by contamination of trace levels of genomic DNA or the low-level amplification non-target sequences. These findings suggest that Vtg expression is not notably induced in highly feminised amphipods and is therefore not an appropriate biomarker of feminisation/de-masculination in crustaceans. We discuss our findings in the context of previous attempts to measure Vtg in male crustaceans and suggest a requirement for more appropriate taxon-specific biomarkers to monitor feminisation in these groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Short
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, UK
| | - Gongda Yang
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, UK
| | - Peter Kille
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Biological Sciences Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Alex T Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Miller AD, Sweeney OF, Whiterod NS, Van Rooyen AR, Hammer M, Weeks AR. Critically low levels of genetic diversity in fragmented populations of the endangered Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish Euastacus bispinosus. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2014. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
27
|
Pistone D, Bione A, Epis S, Pajoro M, Gaiarsa S, Bandi C, Sassera D. Presence of Wolbachia in three hymenopteran species: Diprion pini (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), Neodiprion sertifer (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), and Dahlbominus fuscipennis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2014; 14:147. [PMID: 25368078 PMCID: PMC5443607 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieu009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Sawflies are important pests of various plant species. Diprion pini (L.) and Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) are two of the most important sawfly pests in Italy, and both species are parasitized by the hymenopteran parasitoid Dahlbominus fuscipennis (Zetterstedt). Bacterial endosymbionts are currently studied for their high potential in strategies of biocontrol in a number of insect species. In this study, we investigated the presence of symbiotic bacteria (Wolbachia and Cardinium) in the three species of hymenoptera mentioned earlier, both in wild and laboratory populations. Although all samples were negative for the presence of Cardinium, 100% prevalence for Wolbachia was detected, as all examined individuals resulted to be PCR positive. Furthermore, 16S rDNA and ftsZ gene sequencing indicated that all individuals from the three hymenopteran species are infected by a single Wolbachia strain. Additionally, we report the presence of gynandromorphic individuals in D. pini, both in wild and laboratory-reared populations. Heat treatments on D. pini colonies removed the Wolbachia symbionts, but they also prevented the development of adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Pistone
- Natural History Collections, University Museum of Bergen, P.O. Box 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Alessandro Bione
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Pajoro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Gaiarsa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Sassera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy Current address: Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Di Marzio WD, Castaldo D, Di Lorenzo T, Di Cioccio A, Sáenz ME, Galassi DMP. Developmental endpoints of chronic exposure to suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals on benthic and hyporheic freshwater copepods. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2013; 96:86-92. [PMID: 23890366 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were: (i) to assess if carbamate pesticides and ammonium, widely detected in European freshwater bodies, can be considered ecologically relevant endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) for benthic and interstitial freshwater copepods; and (ii) to evaluate the potential of copepods as sentinels for monitoring ecosystem health. In order to achieve these objectives, four species belonging to the harpacticoid copepod genus Bryocamptus, namely B. (E.) echinatus, B. (R.) zschokkei, B. (R.) pygmaeus and B. (B.) minutus, were subjected to chronic exposures to Aldicarb and ammonium. A significant deviation from the developmental time of unexposed control cultures was observed for all the species in test cultures. Aldicarb caused an increase in generation time over 80% in both B. minutus and B. zschokkei, but less than 35% in B. pygmaeus and B. echinatus. Ammonium increased generation time over 33% in B. minutus, and 14, 12 and 3.5% for B. pygmaeus, B. zschokkei and B. echinatus, respectively. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that chronic exposure to carbamate pesticides and ammonium alters the post-naupliar development of the test-species and propose their potential role as EDCs, leaving open the basis to search what are the mechanism underlying. A prolonged developmental time would probably produce a detrimental effect on population attributes, such as age structure and population size. These deviations from a pristine population condition may be considered suitable biological indicators of ecosystem stress, particularly useful to compare polluted to unpolluted reference sites. Due to their dominance in both benthic and interstitial habitats, and their sensitivity as test organisms, freshwater benthic and hyporheic copepods can fully be used as sentinel species for assessing health condition of aquatic ecosystems as required by world-wide water legislation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W D Di Marzio
- Comisión Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas CONICET, Argentina.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
De Wilde R, Swevers L, Soin T, Christiaens O, Rougé P, Cooreman K, Janssen CR, Smagghe G. Cloning and functional analysis of the ecdysteroid receptor complex in the opossum shrimp Neomysis integer (Leach, 1814). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 130-131:31-40. [PMID: 23337090 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2012.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, the non-target effects of tebufenozide were evaluated on the estuarine crustacean, the opposum shrimp Neomysis integer (Leach, 1814). Tebufenozide is a synthetic non-steroidal ecdysone agonist insecticide and regarded as potential endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC). N. integer is the most used crustacean in ecotoxicological research in parallel to Daphnia sp. and has been proposed for the regulatory testing of potential EDCs in the US, Europe and Japan. Major results were: (i) cDNAs encoding the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) and the retinoid-X-receptor (RXR), were cloned and sequenced, and subsequent molecular phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining) revealed that the amino acid sequence of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of N. integer EcR (NiEcR) clusters as an outgroup of the Crustacea, while NiRXR-LBD clusters in the Malacostracan clade (bootstrap percentage=75%). (ii) 3D-modeling of ligand binding to NiEcR-LBD demonstrated an incompatibility of the insecticide tebufenozide to fit into the NiEcR-ligand binding pocket. This was in great contrast to ponasterone A (PonA) that is the natural molting hormone in Crustacea and for which efficient docking was demonstrated. In addition, the heterodimerization of NiEcR-LBD with the common shrimp Crangon crangon (Linnaeus, 1758) RXR-LBD (CrcRXR-LBD) was also modeled in silico. (iii) With use of insect Hi5 cells, chimeric constructs of NiEcR-LBD and CrcRXR-LBD fused to either the yeast Gal4-DNA binding domain (DBD) or Gal4-activation domain (AD) were cloned into expression plasmids and co-transfected with a Gal4 reporter to quantify the protein-protein interactions of NiEcR-LBD with CrcRXR-LBD. Investigation of the ligand effect of PonA and tebufenozide revealed that only the presence of PonA could induce dimerization of this heterologous receptor complex. (iv) Finally, in an in vivo toxicity assay, N. integer juveniles were exposed to tebufenozide at a concentration of 100 μg/L, and no effects against the molting process and nymphal development were scored. In conclusion, the in vitro cell reporter assay, based on NiEcR-LBD/CrcRXR-LBD heterodimerization in Hi5 cells and validated with the natural ecdysteroid hormone PonA, represents a useful tool for the screening of putative EDCs. As a test example for non-steroidal ecdysone agonist insecticides, tebufenozide had no negative effects on NiEcR/RXR receptor dimerization in vitro, nor on the molting process and nymphal development of N. integer at the tested concentration (100 μg/L) in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R De Wilde
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ciocan CM, Cubero-Leon E, Peck MR, Langston WJ, Pope N, Minier C, Rotchell JM. Intersex in Scrobicularia plana: transcriptomic analysis reveals novel genes involved in endocrine disruption. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:12936-12942. [PMID: 23110442 DOI: 10.1021/es302948g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Intersex, the appearance of female characteristics in male gonads, has been identified in a wide range of aquatic species worldwide, yet the underpinning molecular etiology remains uncharacterized. The presence of intersex has been shown to be a widespread phenomenon in bivalve, S. plana, populations from the southwest coast of the U.K., as well as inducible in an experimental exposure regime using endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Herein, we use the suppressive subtractive hybridization approach to isolate differentially expressed transcripts in S. plana males exhibiting intersex. Transcripts involved in cell signaling, cell cycle control, energy production/metabolism, microtubule assembly, and sperm physiology are all highlighted as differentially expressed in intersex male clams. These provide both an insight into the molecular mechanisms of action involved in the development of intersex, as well as facilitating potential molecular-level "early warning" biomarkers of the condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corina M Ciocan
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Jubeaux G, Simon R, Salvador A, Lopes C, Lacaze E, Quéau H, Chaumot A, Geffard O. Vitellogenin-like protein measurement in caged Gammarus fossarum males as a biomarker of endocrine disruptor exposure: inconclusive experience. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2012; 122-123:9-18. [PMID: 22710022 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2012.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2012] [Revised: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A vitellogenin (Vg) mass spectrometry-based assay was recently developed to actively biomonitor and assess the exposure of the amphipod Gammarus fossarum to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in freshwater hydrosystems. This paper focuses on the appropriate use of this biomarker, which requires good knowledge of its basal level in males and its natural variability related to intrinsic biotic and environmental abiotic factors. To obtain the lowest biomarker variability, we first studied some of these confounding factors. We observed that the spermatogenesis stage did not have an impact on the Vg level, allowing flexibility in the choice of transplanted gammarids. In the second part of the study, males were transplanted in two clean stations for 21 days, with results indicating a spatial and temporal variability of Vg levels. These Vg changes could not be correlated to environmental factors (e.g., temperature, pH and hardness of waters). Vg induction was then assessed in 21 stations having various levels of contamination. Inductions were observed for only two of the impacted stations studied. Under reference and contaminated conditions, a high interindividual variability of Vg levels was observed in caged organisms, severely limiting the sensitivity of the biomarker and its ability to detect a significant endocrine-disruptor effect. This may be explained by unidentified environmental factors that should later be determined to improved the use of Vg as a biomarker in male G. fossarum. Moreover, as discussed in this paper, recent advancements regarding the pleiotropic functions of the Vg gene in some species may complicate the application of this biomarker in males of invertebrate species.
Collapse
|
32
|
Short S, Yang G, Kille P, Ford AT. A Widespread and Distinctive Form of Amphipod Intersexuality Not Induced by Known Feminising Parasites. Sex Dev 2012; 6:320-4. [PMID: 23154238 DOI: 10.1159/000343779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Short
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|