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Bromham L. Combining Molecular, Macroevolutionary, and Macroecological Perspectives on the Generation of Diversity. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2024; 16:a041453. [PMID: 38503506 PMCID: PMC11368193 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041453] [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: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Charles Darwin presented a unified process of diversification driven by the gradual accumulation of heritable variation. The growth in DNA databases and the increase in genomic sequencing, combined with advances in molecular phylogenetic analyses, gives us an opportunity to realize Darwin's vision, connecting the generation of variation to the diversification of lineages. The rate of molecular evolution is correlated with the rate of diversification across animals and plants, but the relationship between genome change and speciation is complex: Mutation rates evolve in response to life history and niche; substitution rates are influenced by mutation, selection, and population size; rates of acquisition of reproductive isolation vary between populations; and traits, niches, and distribution can influence diversification rates. The connection between mutation rate and diversification rate is one part of the complex and varied story of speciation, which has theoretical importance for understanding the generation of biodiversity and also practical impacts on the use of DNA to understand the dynamics of speciation over macroevolutionary timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindell Bromham
- Macroevolution and Macroecology, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, ACT 0200, Australia
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2
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Islam S, Peart C, Kehlmaier C, Sun YH, Lei F, Dahl A, Klemroth S, Alexopoulou D, Del Mar Delgado M, Laiolo P, Carlos Illera J, Dirren S, Hille S, Lkhagvasuren D, Töpfer T, Kaiser M, Gebauer A, Martens J, Paetzold C, Päckert M. Museomics help resolving the phylogeny of snowfinches (Aves, Passeridae, Montifringilla and allies). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 198:108135. [PMID: 38925425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108135] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Historical specimens from museum collections provide a valuable source of material also from remote areas or regions of conflict that are not easily accessible to scientists today. With this study, we are providing a taxon-complete phylogeny of snowfinches using historical DNA from whole skins of an endemic species from Afghanistan, the Afghan snowfinch, Pyrgilauda theresae. To resolve the strong conflict between previous phylogenetic hypotheses, we generated novel mitogenome sequences for selected taxa and genome-wide SNP data using ddRAD sequencing for all extant snowfinch species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and for an extended intraspecific sampling of the sole Central and Western Palearctic snowfinch species (Montifringilla nivalis). Our phylogenetic reconstructions unanimously refuted the previously suggested paraphyly of genus Pyrgilauda. Misplacement of one species-level taxon (Onychostruthus tazcanowskii) in previous snowfinch phylogenies was undoubtedly inferred from chimeric mitogenomes that included heterospecific sequence information. Furthermore, comparison of novel and previously generated sequence data showed that the presumed sister-group relationship between M. nivalis and the QTP endemic M. henrici was suggested based on flawed taxonomy. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on genome-wide SNP data and on mitogenomes were largely congruent and supported reciprocal monophyly of genera Montifringilla and Pyrgilauda with monotypic Onychostruthus being sister to the latter. The Afghan endemic P. theresae likely originated from a rather ancient Pliocene out-of-Tibet dispersal probably from a common ancestor with P. ruficollis. Our extended trans-Palearctic sampling for the white-winged snowfinch, M. nivalis, confirmed strong lineage divergence between an Asian and a European clade dated to 1.5 - 2.7 million years ago (mya). Genome-wide SNP data suggested subtle divergence among European samples from the Alps and from the Cantabrian mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiqul Islam
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany; Max Planck-Genome-Centre Cologne, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, 50829 Köln, Germany; Division of Systematic Zoology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Claire Peart
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christian Kehlmaier
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany
| | - Yue-Hua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Andreas Dahl
- Dresden-Concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sylvia Klemroth
- Dresden-Concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dimitra Alexopoulou
- Dresden-Concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Del Mar Delgado
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Universidad de Oviedo, CSIC, Principality of Asturias) - Campus de Mieres, Edificio de Investigación - 5ª planta, C. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Spain
| | - Paola Laiolo
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Universidad de Oviedo, CSIC, Principality of Asturias) - Campus de Mieres, Edificio de Investigación - 5ª planta, C. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Universidad de Oviedo, CSIC, Principality of Asturias) - Campus de Mieres, Edificio de Investigación - 5ª planta, C. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Spain
| | | | - Sabine Hille
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Davaa Lkhagvasuren
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, P.O.Box 46A-546, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia
| | - Till Töpfer
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Jochen Martens
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Claudia Paetzold
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Päckert
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany.
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Wang S, Wu L, Zhu Q, Wu J, Tang S, Zhao Y, Cheng Y, Zhang D, Qiao G, Zhang R, Lei F. Trait Variation and Spatiotemporal Dynamics across Avian Secondary Contact Zones. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:643. [PMID: 39194581 DOI: 10.3390/biology13080643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
A secondary contact zone (SCZ) is an area where incipient species or divergent populations may meet, mate, and hybridize. Due to the diverse patterns of interspecific hybridization, SCZs function as field labs for illuminating the on-going evolutionary processes of speciation and the establishment of reproductive isolation. Interspecific hybridization is widely present in avian populations, making them an ideal system for SCZ studies. This review exhaustively summarizes the variations in unique traits within avian SCZs (vocalization, plumage, beak, and migratory traits) and the various movement patterns of SCZs observed in previous publications. It also highlights several potential future research directions in the genomic era, such as the relationship between phenotypic and genomic differentiation in SCZs, the genomic basis of trait differentiation, SCZs shared by multiple species, and accurate predictive models for forecasting future movements under climate change and human disturbances. This review aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of speciation processes and offers a theoretical foundation for species conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qianghui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiahao Wu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Shiyu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yifang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yalin Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Dezhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Gexia Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Runzhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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4
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Williamson JL, Gyllenhaal EF, Bauernfeind SM, Bautista E, Baumann MJ, Gadek CR, Marra PP, Ricote N, Valqui T, Bozinovic F, Singh ND, Witt CC. Extreme elevational migration spurred cryptic speciation in giant hummingbirds. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313599121. [PMID: 38739790 PMCID: PMC11126955 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313599121] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The ecoevolutionary drivers of species niche expansion or contraction are critical for biodiversity but challenging to infer. Niche expansion may be promoted by local adaptation or constrained by physiological performance trade-offs. For birds, evolutionary shifts in migratory behavior permit the broadening of the climatic niche by expansion into varied, seasonal environments. Broader niches can be short-lived if diversifying selection and geography promote speciation and niche subdivision across climatic gradients. To illuminate niche breadth dynamics, we can ask how "outlier" species defy constraints. Of the 363 hummingbird species, the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) has the broadest climatic niche by a large margin. To test the roles of migratory behavior, performance trade-offs, and genetic structure in maintaining its exceptional niche breadth, we studied its movements, respiratory traits, and population genomics. Satellite and light-level geolocator tracks revealed an >8,300-km loop migration over the Central Andean Plateau. This migration included a 3-wk, ~4,100-m ascent punctuated by upward bursts and pauses, resembling the acclimatization routines of human mountain climbers, and accompanied by surging blood-hemoglobin concentrations. Extreme migration was accompanied by deep genomic divergence from high-elevation resident populations, with decisive postzygotic barriers to gene flow. The two forms occur side-by-side but differ almost imperceptibly in size, plumage, and respiratory traits. The high-elevation resident taxon is the world's largest hummingbird, a previously undiscovered species that we describe and name here. The giant hummingbirds demonstrate evolutionary limits on niche breadth: when the ancestral niche expanded due to evolution (or loss) of an extreme migratory behavior, speciation followed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie L. Williamson
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14850
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14850
| | - Ethan F. Gyllenhaal
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
| | | | - Emil Bautista
- Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad, Lima15064, Peru
| | - Matthew J. Baumann
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
| | - Chauncey R. Gadek
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
- Environmental Stewardship, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87545
| | - Peter P. Marra
- The Earth Commons Institute, Department of Biology, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC20057
| | - Natalia Ricote
- Facultad de Artes Liberales, Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago7941169, Chile
| | - Thomas Valqui
- Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad, Lima15064, Peru
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima15024, Peru
| | - Francisco Bozinovic
- Departamento de Ecología, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago3542000, Chile
| | - Nadia D. Singh
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR97403
| | - Christopher C. Witt
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM87131
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Gao K, He Z, Xiong J, Chen Q, Lai B, Liu F, Chen P, Chen M, Luo W, Huang J, Ding W, Wang H, Pu Y, Zheng L, Jiao Y, Zhang M, Tang Z, Yue Q, Yang D, Yan T. Population structure and adaptability analysis of Schizothorax o'connori based on whole-genome resequencing. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:145. [PMID: 38321406 PMCID: PMC10845765 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-09975-9] [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: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizothorax o'connori is an endemic fish distributed in the upper and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in China. It has experienced a fourth round of whole gene replication events and is a good model for exploring the genetic differentiation and environmental adaptability of fish in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has led to changes in the river system, thereby affecting gene exchange and population differentiation between fish populations. With the release of fish whole genome data, whole genome resequencing has been widely used in genetic evolutionary analysis and screening of selected genes in fish, which can better elucidate the genetic basis and molecular environmental adaptation mechanisms of fish. Therefore, our purpose of this study was to understand the population structure and adaptive characteristics of S. o'connori using the whole-genome resequencing method. RESULTS The results showed that 23,602,746 SNPs were identified from seven populations, mostly distributed on chromosomes 2 and 23. There was no significant genetic differentiation between the populations, and the genetic diversity was relatively low. However, the Zangga population could be separated from the Bomi, Linzhi, and Milin populations in the cluster analysis. Based on historical dynamics analysis of the population, the size of the ancestral population of S. o'connori was affected by the late accelerated uplift of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and the Fourth Glacial Age. The selected sites were mostly enriched in pathways related to DNA repair and energy metabolism. CONCLUSION Overall, the whole-genome resequencing analysis provides valuable insights into the population structure and adaptive characteristics of S. o'connori. There was no obvious genetic differentiation at the genome level between the S. o'connori populations upstream and downstream of the Yarlung Zangbo River. The current distribution pattern and genetic diversity are influenced by the late accelerated uplift of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and the Fourth Ice Age. The selected sites of S. o'connori are enriched in the energy metabolism and DNA repair pathways to adapt to the low temperature and strong ultraviolet radiation environment at high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhi He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinxin Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiqi Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bolin Lai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingqiang Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjie Luo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junjie Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenxiang Ding
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haochen Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Pu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingwang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziting Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingsong Yue
- Huadian Tibet Hydropower Development Co.,Ltd, Dagu Hydropower Station, Sangri, 856200, Shannan, China
| | - Deying Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Taiming Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
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6
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Cai Z, La Sorte FA, Chen Y, Wu J. The surface urban heat island effect decreases bird diversity in Chinese cities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166200. [PMID: 37567292 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The audiovisual experience of observing birds in cities provides numerous benefits to residents, but their diversity is endangered by urbanization. Although the magnitude of the surface urban heat island effect (hereafter SUHI) has grown in recent years, its impact on bird diversity has not been adequately investigated. Here, we calculate the SUHI in 336 Chinese cities and we document the implications of the SUHI for avian species richness and functional diversity during the 2001, 2011, and 2019 breeding and non-breeding seasons. We predict that the SUHI will result in greater species richness and functional diversity in urban areas during the non-breeding season, especially for cities located within colder regions of China where the SUHI is more likely to relax thermoregulatory costs and reduce the propensity of some species to migrate. We predict that the SUHI will result in decreased species richness and functional diversity during the breeding season due to increased physiological stress, especially for cities located within warmer regions of China. Our findings showed that the SUHI was associated with lower species richness and lower functional diversity of birds in urban areas compared to suburban areas during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. These results suggest that the SUHI induced birds to avoid urban areas or to move to cooler suburban areas during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. This effect persisted irrespective of a city's size or geographical location. Our findings suggest that the SUHI is degrading bird diversity in Chinese cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizheng Cai
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China; Center for Balanced Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Frank A La Sorte
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
| | - Yu Chen
- The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd., Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310028, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jiayu Wu
- Institute of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
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Yang C, Dong X, Wang Q, Hou X, Yuan H, Li X. Mitochondrial genome characteristics of six Phylloscopus species and their phylogenetic implication. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16233. [PMID: 37842035 PMCID: PMC10576491 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16233] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial genomes of six Phylloscopus species-small insectivores belonging to the Phylloscopidae family-were obtained using the Illumina sequencing platform. The mitogenomes were closed circular molecules 16,922-17,007 bp in size, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and two control regions (CR1 and remnant CR2). The gene orders were conserved in 35 sampled Phylloscopus mitogenomes in the GenBank database, with a gene rearrangement of cytb-trnT-CR1-trnP-nad6-trnE-remnant CR2-trnF-rrnS. The average base compositions of the six Phylloscopus mitogenomes were 29.43% A, 32.75% C, 14.68% G, and 23.10% T, with the A+T content slightly higher than that of G+C. ATG and TAA were the most frequent initiating and terminating codons, respectively. Several conserved boxes were identified in CR1, including C-string in domain I; F, E, D, and C boxes, as well as bird similarity and B boxes, in domain II; and CSB1 in domain III. Tandem repeats were observed in remnant CR2 of the Phylloscopus fuscatus and Phylloscopus proregulus mitogenomes. A phylogenetic analysis with maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods, based on 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNA genes, indicated that the Phylloscopus species was divided into two larger clades, with a splitting time approximately 11.06 million years ago (mya). The taxa of Phylloscopus coronatus/Phylloscopus burkii and Phylloscopus inornatus/P. proregulus were located at the basal position of the different clades. The phylogenetic result of the cox1 gene showed that Seicercus was nested within Phylloscopus. The complete set of mitogenomes of the Phylloscopus species provides potentially useful resources for the further exploration of the taxonomic status and phylogenetic history of Phylloscopidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaomei Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
| | - Qingxiong Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiang Hou
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xuejuan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
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8
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Hao Y, Song G, Zhang YE, Zhai W, Jia C, Ji Y, Tang S, Lv H, Qu Y, Lei F. Divergent contributions of coding and noncoding sequences to initial high-altitude adaptation in passerine birds endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:3524-3540. [PMID: 37000417 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16942] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Early events in the evolution of an ancestral lineage can shape the adaptive patterns of descendant species, but the evolutionary mechanisms driving initial adaptation from an ancestor remain largely unexplored. High-altitude adaptations have been extensively explored from the viewpoint of protein-coding genes; however, the contribution of noncoding regions remains relatively neglected. Here, we integrate genomic and transcriptomic data to investigate adaptive evolution in the ancestor of three high-altitude snowfinch species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our genome-wide scan for adaptation in the snowfinch ancestor identifies strong adaptation signals in functions of development and metabolism for the coding genes, but in functions of the nervous system development for noncoding regions. This pattern is exclusive to the snowfinch ancestor compared to a control ancestral lineage subject to weak selection. Changes in noncoding regions in the snowfinch ancestor, especially those nearest to coding genes, may be disproportionately associated with the differential expression of genes in the brain tissue compared to other tissues. Extensive gene expression in the brain tissue can be further altered via genetic regulatory networks of transcription factors harbouring potential accelerated regulatory regions (e.g., the development-related transcription factor YEATS4). Altogether, our study provides new evidence concerning how coding and noncoding sequences work through decoupled pathways in initial adaptation to the selective pressure of high-altitude environments. The analysis highlights the idea that noncoding sequences may be promising elements in facilitating the rapid evolution and adaptation to high altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong E Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Weiwei Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Chenxi Jia
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanzhu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongrui Lv
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhua Qu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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Li X, Wang X, Yang C, Lin L, Yuan H, Lei F, Huang Y. A de novo assembled genome of the Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) and its high-altitude adaptation. Integr Zool 2023; 18:225-236. [PMID: 36049502 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) is an endemic species distributed in high-altitude areas of 3600-5600 m on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. To explore how the species is adapted to the high elevation environment, we assembled a draft genome based on both the Illumina and PacBio sequencing platforms with its population genetics and genomics analysis. In total, 134.74 Gb short reads and 30.81 Gb long reads raw data were generated. The 1.05-Gb assembled genome had a contig N50 of 4.56 Mb, with 91.94% complete BUSCOs. The 17 457 genes were annotated, and 11.35% of the genome was composed of repeat sequences. The phylogenetic tree showed that P. hodgsoniae was located at the basal position of the clade, including Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and Mikado Pheasant (Syrmaticus mikado). We found that 1014, 2595, and 2732 of the 6641 one-to-one orthologous genes were under positive selection in P. hodgsoniae, detected using PAML, BUSTED, and aBSREL programs, respectively, of which 965 genes were common under positive selection with 3 different programs. Several positively selected genes and immunity pathways relevant to high-altitude adaptation were detected. Gene family evolution showed that 99 gene families experienced significant expansion events, while 6 gene families were under contraction. The total number of olfactory receptor genes was relatively low in P. hodgsoniae. Genomic data provide an important resource for a further study on the evolutionary history of P. hodgsoniae, which provides a new insight into its high-altitude adaptation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejuan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wang
- School of Biological and Environmental Engeering, Xi'an University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chao Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China
| | - Liliang Lin
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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10
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Enlarged fins of Tibetan catfish provide new evidence of adaptation to high plateau. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023:10.1007/s11427-022-2253-7. [PMID: 36802318 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2253-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau significantly altered the geomorphology and climate of the Euroasia by creating large mountains and rivers. Fishes are more likely to be affected relative to other organisms, as they are largely restricted to river systems. Faced with the rapidly flowing water in the Tibetan Plateau, a group of catfish has evolved greatly enlarged pectoral fins with more numbers of fin-rays to form an adhesive apparatus. However, the genetic basis of these adaptations in Tibetan catfishes remains elusive. In this study, we performed comparative genomic analyses based on the chromosome-level genome of Glyptosternum maculatum in family Sisoridae and detected some proteins with conspicuously high evolutionary rates in particular in genes involved in skeleton development, energy metabolism, and hypoxia response. We found that the hoxd12a gene evolved faster and a loss-of-function assay of hoxd12a supports a potential role for this gene in shaping the enlarged fins of these Tibetan catfishes. Other genes with amino acid replacements and signatures of positive selection included proteins involved in low temperature (TRMU) and hypoxia (VHL) responses. Functional assays reveal that the G. maculatumTRMU allele generates more mitochondrial ATP than the ancestral allele found in low-altitude fishes. Functional assays of VHL alleles suggest that the G. maculatum allele has lower transactivation activity than the low-altitude forms. These findings provide a window into the genomic underpinnings of physiological adaptations that permit G. maculatum to survive in the harsh environment of the Tibetan Himalayas that mirror those that are convergently found in other vertebrates such as humans.
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11
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Lu CW, Huang ST, Cheng SJ, Lin CT, Hsu YC, Yao CT, Dong F, Hung CM, Kuo HC. Genomic architecture underlying morphological and physiological adaptation to high elevation in a songbird. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2234-2251. [PMID: 36748940 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16875] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Organisms often acquire physiological and morphological modifications to conquer ecological challenges when colonizing new environments which lead to their adaptive evolution. However, deciphering the genomic mechanism of ecological adaptation is difficult because ecological environments are often too complex for straightforward interpretation. Thus, we examined the adaptation of a widespread songbird-the rufous-capped babbler (Cyanoderma ruficeps)-to a relatively simple system: distinct environments across elevational gradients on the mountainous island of Taiwan. We focused on the genomic sequences of 43 birds from five populations to show that the Taiwan group split from its sister group in mainland China around 1-2 million years ago (Ma) and colonized the montane habitats of Taiwan at least twice around 0.03-0.22 Ma. The montane and lowland Taiwan populations diverged with gene flow between them, suggesting strong selection associated with different elevations. We found that the montane babblers had smaller beaks than the lowland ones, consistent with Allen's rule, and identified candidate genes-COL9A1 and SOX11-underlying the beak size changes. We also found that altitudinally divergent mutations were mostly located in noncoding regions and tended to accumulate in chromosomal inversions and autosomes. The altitudinally divergent mutations might regulate genes related to haematopoietic, metabolic, immune, auditory and vision functions, as well as cerebrum morphology and plumage development. The results reveal the genomic bases of morphological and physiological adaptation in this species to the low temperature, hypoxia and high UV light environment at high elevation. These findings improve our understanding of how ecological adaptation drives population divergence from the perspective of genomic architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ting Huang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Jen Cheng
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Tau Lin
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Hsu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Te Yao
- Division of Zoology, Endemic Species Research Institute, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Feng Dong
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chih-Ming Hung
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Chih Kuo
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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12
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Martínez Sosa F, Pilot M. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Vertebrate Adaptive Evolution: A Systematic Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:416. [PMID: 36833343 PMCID: PMC9957108 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020416] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptive evolution is a process in which variation that confers an evolutionary advantage in a specific environmental context arises and is propagated through a population. When investigating this process, researchers have mainly focused on describing advantageous phenotypes or putative advantageous genotypes. A recent increase in molecular data accessibility and technological advances has allowed researchers to go beyond description and to make inferences about the mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution. In this systematic review, we discuss articles from 2016 to 2022 that investigated or reviewed the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution in vertebrates in response to environmental variation. Regulatory elements within the genome and regulatory proteins involved in either gene expression or cellular pathways have been shown to play key roles in adaptive evolution in response to most of the discussed environmental factors. Gene losses were suggested to be associated with an adaptive response in some contexts. Future adaptive evolution research could benefit from more investigations focused on noncoding regions of the genome, gene regulation mechanisms, and gene losses potentially yielding advantageous phenotypes. Investigating how novel advantageous genotypes are conserved could also contribute to our knowledge of adaptive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Małgorzata Pilot
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 80-680 Gdańsk, Poland
- Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Cheng J, Peng X, Li H, Feijó A, Xia L, Shenbrot GI, Ge D, Wen Z, Wang D, Yang Q. Similar adaptative mechanism but divergent demographic history of four sympatric desert rodents in Eurasian inland. Commun Biol 2023; 6:33. [PMID: 36635382 PMCID: PMC9837166 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04415-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypes associated with metabolism and water retention are thought to be key to the adaptation of desert species. However, knowledge on the genetic changes and selective regimes on the similar and divergent ways to desert adaptation in sympatric and phylogenetically close desert organisms remains limited. Here, we generate a chromosome level genome assembly for Northern three-toed jerboa (Dipus sagitta) and three other high-quality genome assemblies for Siberian jerboa (Orientallactaga sibirica), Midday jird (Meriones meridianus), and Desert hamster (Phodopus roborovskii). Genomic analyses unveil that desert adaptation of the four species mainly result from similar metabolic pathways, such as arachidonic acid metabolism, thermogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, insulin related pathway, DNA repair and protein synthesis and degradation. However, the specific evolved genes in the same adaptative molecular pathway often differ in the four species. We also reveal similar niche selection but different demographic histories and sensitivity to climate changes, which may be related to the diversified genomic adaptative features. In addition, our study suggests that nocturnal rodents have evolved some specific adaptative mechanism to desert environments compared to large desert animals. Our genomic resources will provide an important foundation for further research on desert genetic adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilong Cheng
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Xingwen Peng
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Hong Li
- grid.410753.4Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Anderson Feijó
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Lin Xia
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Georgy I. Shenbrot
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Negev, 84990 Israel
| | - Deyan Ge
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Zhixin Wen
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Dehua Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Lab of Integrated management for Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Qisen Yang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
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14
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Fu TT, Sun YB, Gao W, Long CB, Yang CH, Yang XW, Zhang Y, Lan XQ, Huang S, Jin JQ, Murphy RW, Zhang Y, Lai R, Hillis DM, Zhang YP, Che J. The highest-elevation frog provides insights into mechanisms and evolution of defenses against high UV radiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2212406119. [PMID: 36346846 PMCID: PMC9674958 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212406119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Defense against ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is essential for survival, especially in high-elevation species. Although some specific genes involved in UV response have been reported, the full view of UV defense mechanisms remains largely unexplored. Herein, we used integrated approaches to analyze UV responses in the highest-elevation frog, Nanorana parkeri. We show less damage and more efficient antioxidant activity in skin of this frog than those of its lower-elevation relatives after UV exposure. We also reveal genes related to UV defense and a corresponding temporal expression pattern in N. parkeri. Genomic and metabolomic analysis along with large-scale transcriptomic profiling revealed a time-dependent coordinated defense mechanism in N. parkeri. We also identified several microRNAs that play important regulatory roles, especially in decreasing the expression levels of cell cycle genes. Moreover, multiple defense genes (i.e., TYR for melanogenesis) exhibit positive selection with function-enhancing substitutions. Thus, both expression shifts and gene mutations contribute to UV adaptation in N. parkeri. Our work demonstrates a genetic framework for evolution of UV defense in a natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, U.S.A.
| | - Yan-Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Wei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Cheng-Bo Long
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Chun-Hua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Xin-Wang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Xin-Qiang Lan
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Song Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Jie-Qiong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Robert W. Murphy
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada
| | - Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - David M. Hillis
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, U.S.A.
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Jing Che
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resource and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
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15
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Highland adaptation of birds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau via gut microbiota. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:6701-6711. [PMID: 36097173 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12171-y] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Highland birds evolve multiple adaptive abilities to cope with the harsh environments; however, how they adapt to the high-altitude habitats via the gut microbiota remains understudied. Here we integrated evidences from comparative analysis of gut microbiota to explore the adaptive mechanism of black-necked crane, a typical highland bird in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Firstly, the gut microbiota diversity and function was compared among seven crane species (one high-altitude species and six low-altitude species), and then among three populations of contrasting altitudes for the black-necked crane. Microbiota community diversity in black-necked crane was significantly lower than its low-altitude relatives, but higher microbiota functional diversity was observed in black-necked crane, suggesting that unique bacteria are developed and acquired due to the selection pressure of high-altitude environments. The functional microbial genes differed significantly between the low- and high-altitude black-necked cranes, indicating that altitude significantly impacted microbial communities' composition and structure. Adaptive changes in microbiota diversity and function are observed in response to high-altitude environments. These findings provide us a new insight into the adaptation mechanism to the high-altitude environment for birds via the gut microbiota. KEY POINTS: • The diversity and function of gut microbiota differed significantly between the low- and high-altitude crane species. • Black-necked crane adapts to the high-altitude environment via specific gut microbiota. • Altitude significantly impacted microbial communities' composition and structure.
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16
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Chen H, Huang M, Liu D, Tang H, Zheng S, Ouyang J, Zhang H, Wang L, Luo K, Gao Y, Wu Y, Wu Y, Xiong Y, Luo T, Huang Y, Xiong R, Ren J, Huang J, Yan X. Genomic signatures and evolutionary history of the endangered blue-crowned laughingthrush and other Garrulax species. BMC Biol 2022; 20:188. [PMID: 36002819 PMCID: PMC9400264 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01390-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The blue-crowned laughingthrush (Garrulax courtoisi) is a critically endangered songbird endemic to Wuyuan, China, with population of ~323 individuals. It has attracted widespread attention, but the lack of a published genome has limited research and species protection. RESULTS We report two laughingthrush genome assemblies and reveal the taxonomic status of laughingthrush species among 25 common avian species according to the comparative genomic analysis. The blue-crowned laughingthrush, black-throated laughingthrush, masked laughingthrush, white-browed laughingthrush, and rusty laughingthrush showed a close genetic relationship, and they diverged from a common ancestor between ~2.81 and 12.31 million years ago estimated by the population structure and divergence analysis using 66 whole-genome sequencing birds from eight laughingthrush species and one out group (Cyanopica cyanus). Population inference revealed that the laughingthrush species experienced a rapid population decline during the last ice age and a serious bottleneck caused by a cold wave during the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The blue-crowned laughingthrush is still in a bottleneck, which may be the result of a cold wave together with human exploitation. Interestingly, the existing blue-crowned laughingthrush exhibits extremely rich genetic diversity compared to other laughingthrushes. These genetic characteristics and demographic inference patterns suggest a genetic heritage of population abundance in the blue-crowned laughingthrush. The results also suggest that fewer deleterious mutations in the blue-crowned laughingthrush genomes have allowed them to thrive even with a small population size. We believe that cooperative breeding behavior and a long reproduction period may enable the blue-crowned laughingthrush to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding depression. We identified 43 short tandem repeats that can be used as markers to identify the sex of the blue-crowned laughingthrush and aid in its genetic conservation. CONCLUSIONS This study supplies the missing reference genome of laughingthrush, provides insight into the genetic variability, evolutionary potential, and molecular ecology of laughingthrush and provides a genomic resource for future research and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Min Huang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Hongbo Tang
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Sumei Zheng
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Ouyang
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Luping Wang
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Keyi Luo
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yuren Gao
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yongfei Wu
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yan Wu
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yanpeng Xiong
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Tao Luo
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yuxuan Huang
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Rui Xiong
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jun Ren
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.
| | - Xueming Yan
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.
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17
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Li L, Tietze DT, Fritz A, Basile M, Lü Z, Storch I. Beta diversities of grassland birds indicate the importance of pastoralism for nature conservation of the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.902887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The post-2020 global biodiversity framework calls for a transformative change in food systems. Promoting agricultural multifunctionality is a viable approach to this sustainability transformation. The eastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is both one of the world’s largest livestock grazing systems and a hotspot of endemic birds in Asia. In this research, we aim to investigate the impact of livestock grazing on alpine bird assemblages at the local scale (alpha diversity) and their variation across the pastoral landscape (beta diversity). In the study area Nyanpo Yutse, we conducted surveys of 126 bird sample plots during two breeding seasons to acquire bird assemblage data. Meanwhile, we employed unmanned aerial vehicles to measure 2D and 3D habitat features within the 150-m radius. We investigated the key habitat variables driving the spatial distributions of both alpha and beta diversities of birds. Particularly, we partitioned beta diversity into its turnover and nestedness components and tested their patterns across sites of four levels of livestock grazing intensities (LGIs). Our results found no significant correlation between LGIs with species richness of birds, while 2D and 3D habitat complexity and built structure were positively correlated with alpha diversity (p < 0.05). At the landscape scale, pairwise LGI differences had no significant correlation (p > 0.05) with any pairwise beta diversity. The ordination plotting detected distinguished habitat preferences among 12 common birds and eight endemic birds. The multiple-site beta diversity of the 126 plots showed high species turnover (>0.871) where LGI was lower than 1.065 sheep units/ha, indicating the importance of moderate grazing for the conservation of diverse avian assemblages at the landscape scale. Our study demonstrated that extensive pastoralism is important for both maintaining the mosaic landscape and conserving avian biodiversity on the eastern QTP. We unveiled one of the ecological mechanisms through which synergies can be realized to support both agricultural production and biodiversity conservation in the Tibetan grazing system.
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Bo T, Song G, Tang S, Zhang M, Ma Z, Lv H, Wu Y, Zhang D, Yang L, Wang D, Lei F. Incomplete Concordance Between Host Phylogeny and Gut Microbial Community in Tibetan Wetland Birds. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:848906. [PMID: 35663854 PMCID: PMC9161150 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.848906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut microbial communities of animals play key roles in host evolution, while the relationship between gut microbiota and host evolution in Tibetan birds remains unknown. Herein, we sequenced the gut microbiota of 67 wild birds of seven species dwelling in the Tibetan wetlands. We found an obvious species-specific structure of gut microbiota among these plateau birds whose habitats were overlapped. Different from plateau mammals, there was no strict synergy between the hierarchical tree of gut microbial community and species phylogeny. In brown-headed gulls (Larus brunnicephalus) as an example, the structure of gut microbiota differed in different habitats, and the relative abundance of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Paracoccus, Lachnospiraceae, and Vibrio, significantly correlated with altitude. Finally, we found various pathogenic bacteria in the birds of these plateau wetlands, and the interspecific differences were related to their diet and living environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingbei Bo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengru Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Hongrui Lv
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dezhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Le Yang
- Tibet Plateau Institute of Biology, Lhasa, China
| | - Dehua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Dehua Wang,
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Fumin Lei,
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Comparison between short-term stress and long-term adaptive responses reveal common paths to molecular adaptation. iScience 2022; 25:103899. [PMID: 35243257 PMCID: PMC8873613 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103899] [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: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotypic plasticity in responses to short-term stress can provide clues for understanding the adaptive fixation mechanism of genetic variation during long-term exposure to extreme environments. However, few studies have compared short-term stress responses with long-term evolutionary patterns; in particular, no interactions between the two processes have been evaluated in high-altitude environment. We performed RNA sequencing in embryo fibroblasts derived from great tits and mice to explore transcriptional responses after exposure to simulated high-altitude environmental stresses. Transcriptional changes of genes associated with metabolic pathways were identified in both bird and mice cells after short-term stress responses. Genomic comparisons among long-term highland tits and mammals and their lowland relatives revealed similar pathways (e.g., metabolic pathways) with that initiated under short-term stress transcriptional responses in vitro. These findings highlight the indicative roles of short-term stress in the long-term adaptation, and adopt common paths to molecular adaptation in mouse and bird cells. Short-term stress and long-term adaptations share the common metabolic pathways Phenotypic plasticity can promote adaptive evolution Adopt common paths to molecular adaptation in mouse and bird cells
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She H, Jiang Z, Song G, Ericson PGP, Luo X, Shao S, Lei F, Qu Y. Quantifying adaptive divergence of the snowfinches in a common landscape. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huishang She
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Life Science University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Zhiyong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Life Science University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Per G. P. Ericson
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics Swedish Museum of Natural History Stockholm Sweden
| | - Xu Luo
- Faculty of Biodiversity and Conservation Southwest Forestry University Kunming China
| | - Shimiao Shao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Life Science University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Yanhua Qu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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