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Eleftherakos K, Polymeni RM, Mikropoulou EV, Vougogiannopoulou K, Georgiadis C, Petrakis EA, Skaltsounis LA, Halabalaki M. A skin secretion metabolome analysis of the Greek Dodecanese Lycian salamanders: Preliminary evidence of dietary alkaloid sequestration in urodeles. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300278. [PMID: 39208286 PMCID: PMC11361651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyciasalamandra species, like most amphibians, secrete a wide array of compounds from their granular and mucous skin glands, including the internally synthesized samandarine alkaloids, making their skin a complex organ performing a variety of functions. Lyciasalamandra helverseni and L. luschani basoglui are insular endemics of the Dodecanese islands of SE Greece, bearing distinct isolated populations, with well-documented phylogenetic profiles. Here, we employ a metabolomics approach, utilizing UPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS data of the skin secretions sampled from a number of specimens found in the islands of Karpathos, Kasos and Kastellorizo, in an effort to reveal aspects of their chemistry and diversity across populations. The results indicated statistically significant variation between all taxa examined, based on various secreted compounds. The underlying factors of variation highlighted by the multivariate analysis were differences in samandarine and other alkaloid content as well as in animal size. Metabolite annotation, based on dereplication tools and most importantly HRMS and HRMS/MS spectra, yielded a number of known samandarine alkaloids, reported for the first time in the currently studied Lyciasalamandra species. We also present documentation for novel members of the samandarine alkaloid family, as well as preliminary evidence for a possible dietary alkaloid sequestration. This work can set the basis for further research of this often-neglected endemic species of the Salamandridae, as well as the structural investigation of the samandarine alkaloid group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolos Eleftherakos
- Section of Zoology–Marine Biology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Roza Maria Polymeni
- Section of Zoology–Marine Biology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni V. Mikropoulou
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Vougogiannopoulou
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Georgiadis
- Section of Zoology–Marine Biology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftherios A. Petrakis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Leandros A. Skaltsounis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Halabalaki
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Li Z, Martel A, Bogaerts S, Göçmen B, Pafilis P, Lymberakis P, Woeltjes T, Veith M, Pasmans F. Landscape Connectivity Limits the Predicted Impact of Fungal Pathogen Invasion. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E205. [PMID: 33022972 PMCID: PMC7712934 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are major drivers of biodiversity loss. The risk of fungal diseases to the survival of threatened animals in nature is determined by a complex interplay between host, pathogen and environment. We here predict the risk of invasion of populations of threatened Mediterranean salamanders of the genus Lyciasalamandra by the pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans by combining field sampling and lab trials. In 494 samples across all seven species of Lyciasalamandra, B. salamandrivorans was found to be absent. Single exposure to a low (1000) number of fungal zoospores resulted in fast buildup of lethal infections in three L. helverseni. Thermal preference of the salamanders was well within the thermal envelope of the pathogen and body temperatures never exceeded the fungus' thermal critical maximum, limiting the salamanders' defense opportunities. The relatively low thermal host preference largely invalidates macroclimatic based habitat suitability predictions and, combined with current pathogen absence and high host densities, suggests a high probability of local salamander population declines upon invasion by B. salamandrivorans. However, the unfavorable landscape that shaped intraspecific host genetic diversity, lack of known alternative hosts and rapid host mortality after infection present barriers to further, natural pathogen dispersal between populations and thus species extinction. The risk of anthropogenic spread stresses the importance of biosecurity in amphibian habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Li
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (Z.L.); (A.M.)
| | - An Martel
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (Z.L.); (A.M.)
| | | | - Bayram Göçmen
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Ege University, TR-35100 İzmir, Turkey
| | - Panayiotis Pafilis
- Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, School of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Ilissia, 15784 Athens, Greece;
| | - Petros Lymberakis
- Natural History Museum of Crete, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Knossos Ave., 1409 Irakleio, Greece;
| | | | - Michael Veith
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Universitätsring 15, D-54296 Trier, Germany;
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (Z.L.); (A.M.)
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Brooks GC, Gorman TA, Jiao Y, Haas CA. Reconciling larval and adult sampling methods to model growth across life-stages. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237737. [PMID: 32822355 PMCID: PMC7442236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual growth rates are intrinsically related to survival and lifetime reproductive success and hence, are key determinants of population growth. Efforts to quantify age-size relationships are hampered by difficulties in aging individuals in wild populations. In addition, species with complex life-histories often show distinct shifts in growth that cannot be readily accommodated by traditional modelling techniques. Amphibians are often characterized by rapid larval growth, cessation of growth prior to metamorphosis, and resumption of growth in the adult stage. Compounding issues of non-linear growth, amphibian monitoring programs typically sample larval and adult populations using dissimilar methods. Here we present the first multistage growth model that combines disparate data collected across life-history stages. We model the growth of the endangered Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander, Ambystoma bishopi, in a Bayesian framework, that accounts for unknown ages, individual heterogeneity, and reconciles dip-net and drift fence sampling designs. Flatwoods salamanders achieve 60% of growth in the first 3 months of life but can survive for up to 13 years as a terrestrial adult. We find evidence for marked variability in growth rate, the timing and age at metamorphosis, and maximum size, within populations. Average size of metamorphs in a given year appeared strongly dependent on hydroperiod, and differed by >10mm across years with successful recruitment. In contrast, variation in the sizes of emerging metamorphs appeared relatively constant across years. An understanding of growth will contribute to the development of population viability analyses for flatwoods salamanders, will guide management actions, and will ultimately aid the recovery of the species. Our model formulation has broad applicability to amphibians, and likely any stage-structured organism in which homogenous data cannot be collected across life-stages. The tendency to ignore stage-structure or omit non-conforming data in growth analyses can no longer be afforded given the high stakes of management decisions, particularly for endangered or at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C. Brooks
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Thomas A. Gorman
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Yan Jiao
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Carola A. Haas
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
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Veith M, Göçmen B, Sotiropoulos K, Eleftherakos K, Lötters S, Godmann O, Karış M, Oğuz A, Ehl S. Phylogeographic analyses point to long-term survival on the spot in micro-endemic Lycian salamanders. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226326. [PMID: 31929551 PMCID: PMC6957296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lycian salamanders (genus Lyciasalamandra) constitute an exceptional case of micro-endemism of an amphibian species on the Asian Minor mainland. These viviparous salamanders are confined to karstic limestone formations along the southern Anatolian coast and some islands. We here study the genetic differentiation within and among 118 populations of all seven Lyciasalamandra species across the entire genus’ distribution. Based on circa 900 base pairs of fragments of the mitochondrial 16SrDNA and ATPase genes, we analysed the spatial haplotype distribution as well as the genetic structure and demographic history of populations. We used 253 geo-referenced populations and CHELSA climate data to infer species distribution models which we projected on climatic conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Within all but one species, distinct phyloclades were identified, which only in parts matched current taxonomy. Most haplotypes (78%) were private to single populations. Sometimes population genetic parameters showed contradicting results, although in several cases they indicated recent population expansion of phyloclades. Climatic suitability of localities currently inhabited by salamanders was significantly lower during the LGM compared to recent climate. All data indicated a strong degree of isolation among Lyciasalamandra populations, even within phyloclades. Given the sometimes high degree of haplotype differentiation between adjacent populations, they must have survived periods of deteriorated climates during the Quaternary on the spot. However, the alternative explanation of male biased dispersal combined with a pronounced female philopatry can only be excluded if independent nuclear data confirm this result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Veith
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Universitätsring, Trier, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Bayram Göçmen
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | | | - Karolos Eleftherakos
- Section of Zoology-Marine Biology, Department of Biology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefan Lötters
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Universitätsring, Trier, Germany
| | | | - Mert Karış
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Anil Oğuz
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sarah Ehl
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Universitätsring, Trier, Germany
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Cayuela H, Olgun K, Angelini C, Üzüm N, Peyronel O, Miaud C, Avcı A, Lemaitre JF, Schmidt BR. Slow life-history strategies are associated with negligible actuarial senescence in western Palaearctic salamanders. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191498. [PMID: 31455192 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Actuarial senescence has been viewed for a long time as an inevitable and uniform process. However, the work on senescence has mainly focused on endotherms with deterministic growth and low regeneration capacity during the adult stage, leading to a strong taxonomic bias in the study of ageing. Recent studies have highlighted that senescence could indeed display highly variable trajectories that correlate with species life-history traits. Slow life histories and indeterminate growth seem to be associated with weak and late senescence. Furthermore, high regenerative abilities could lead to negligible senescence in ectotherms. However, demographic data for species that would allow testing of these hypotheses are scarce. Here, we investigated senescence patterns in 'true salamanders' from the western Palaearctic. Our results showed that salamanders have slow life histories and that they experience negligible senescence. This pattern was consistent at both intra- and interspecific levels, suggesting that the absence of senescence may be a phylogenetically conserved trait. The regenerative capacities of salamanders, in combination with other physiological and developmental features such as an indeterminate growth and a low metabolic rate, probably explain why these small ectotherms have lifespans similar to that of large endotherms and, in contrast with most amniotes, undergo negligible senescence. Our study seriously challenges the idea that senescence is a ubiquitous phenomenon in the tree of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Cayuela
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Kurtuluş Olgun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Claudio Angelini
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Nazan Üzüm
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Olivier Peyronel
- Syndicat de gestion des gorges de l'Ardèche, 07700 Saint-Remèze, France
| | - Claude Miaud
- PSL Research University, CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier, EPHE, Biogéographie et Ecologie des vertébrés, Montpellier, France
| | - Aziz Avcı
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Jean-François Lemaitre
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive UMR 5558, Université Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- Institut für Evolutionsbiologie und Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.,Info fauna karch, UniMail, Bâtiment G, Bellevaux 51, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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6
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Escoriza D, Hassine JB. Habitat structure and presence of Salamandra algira Bedriaga, 1883 in the Edough Peninsula, north-eastern Algeria. AFR J HERPETOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2017.1388855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Escoriza
- Institut Català de la Salut, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 587–589. 08007, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratory Ecology, Biodiversity and Environment, University Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Avenue Khenifra. 93000, Tétouan, Morocco
| | - Jihène Ben Hassine
- Laboratory Ecology, Biodiversity and Environment, University Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Avenue Khenifra. 93000, Tétouan, Morocco
- Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Tunis, El Manar. 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
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