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Amiri A, Bandani AR. Callosobruchus maculatus males and females respond differently to grandparental effects. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295937. [PMID: 38134132 PMCID: PMC10745144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we used the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and two essential oils (mint and rosemary) to investigate the effect of the parents (F0) exposure to a sublethal dose of essential oil on grand offspring (F2) encountering the same essential oil. Then we evaluated biological parameters, including immature development time, sex ratio, adult emergence, egg number, egg hatch, longevity, and mating behaviors in three generations (F0, F1, and F2). Results showed when F0 experienced essential oil in the embryonic stage, parental and grandparental effects were more severe than adulthood experiences. Also, grandparental effects increased or decreased reactions of F2 generation when faced with a similar essential oil, depending on grand offspring sex. For example, when grandparents experienced rosemary essential oil in the embryonic stage, they produced more tolerant female grand offspring with a better ability to cope with the same essential oil (increased adult longevity and egg number). However, male grandoffspring were more sensitive (had a higher mortality percentage and less copulation success). Grandparental effects of exposure to mint essential oil diminished female grand offspring longevity and improved male copulation behavior parameters such as increased copulation duration and decreased rejection by females. In all, grandparental effects were different in male and female grand offspring based on the essential oil type experienced by F0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Amiri
- College of Geography and Environmental Planning. University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ali R. Bandani
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
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2
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Meuthen D, Salahinejad A, Chivers DP, Ferrari MCO. Transgenerational plasticity of exploratory behavior and a hidden cost of mismatched risk environments between parental sexes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19737. [PMID: 37957198 PMCID: PMC10643415 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46269-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We require a better understanding of the relative contribution of different modes of non-genetic inheritance in behavioral trait development. Thus, we investigate variation in exploratory behavior, which is ecologically relevant and a target of selection. The metabolic hypothesis predicts exploratory behavior to be size-dependent across taxa. This size-dependency is cancelled out under high perceived risk, allowing us to determine the transgenerationally integrated estimated level of risk. Using fathead minnows Pimephales promelas, we manipulated perceived risk in mothers, fathers, caring males and offspring through continuous exposure to either conspecific alarm cues or to a control water treatment. In 1000 four-month old offspring, we determined body sizes and exploratory behavior. Perceived high risk in mothers, followed by personal risk, was most effective in eliminating size-dependent behavior whereas effects of paternal risk on offspring behavioral development were substantially weaker. When maternal risk is high, environmental mismatches between parents prevented offspring from responding appropriately to personal high risk. The environment of the caring male also impacted offspring behavior to a greater extent than that of its genetic parents. Our study highlights the high relative importance of maternal, personal and caring male risk environments and showcases potential costs of an environmental mismatch between parental sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Meuthen
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada.
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Arash Salahinejad
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Douglas P Chivers
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Maud C O Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
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3
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Laine VN, Sepers B, Lindner M, Gawehns F, Ruuskanen S, van Oers K. An ecologist's guide for studying DNA methylation variation in wild vertebrates. Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:1488-1508. [PMID: 35466564 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The field of molecular biology is advancing fast with new powerful technologies, sequencing methods and analysis software being developed constantly. Commonly used tools originally developed for research on humans and model species are now regularly used in ecological and evolutionary research. There is also a growing interest in the causes and consequences of epigenetic variation in natural populations. Studying ecological epigenetics is currently challenging, especially for vertebrate systems, because of the required technical expertise, complications with analyses and interpretation, and limitations in acquiring sufficiently high sample sizes. Importantly, neglecting the limitations of the experimental setup, technology and analyses may affect the reliability and reproducibility, and the extent to which unbiased conclusions can be drawn from these studies. Here, we provide a practical guide for researchers aiming to study DNA methylation variation in wild vertebrates. We review the technical aspects of epigenetic research, concentrating on DNA methylation using bisulfite sequencing, discuss the limitations and possible pitfalls, and how to overcome them through rigid and reproducible data analysis. This review provides a solid foundation for the proper design of epigenetic studies, a clear roadmap on the best practices for correct data analysis and a realistic view on the limitations for studying ecological epigenetics in vertebrates. This review will help researchers studying the ecological and evolutionary implications of epigenetic variation in wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika N Laine
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bernice Sepers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Melanie Lindner
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Chronobiology Unit, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur Gawehns
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Suvi Ruuskanen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Seaborn T, Landguth EL, Caudill CC. Simulating plasticity as a framework for understanding habitat selection and its role in adaptive capacity and extinction risk through an expansion of CDMetaPOP. Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:1458-1472. [PMID: 37081173 PMCID: PMC11081408 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive capacity can present challenges for modelling as it encompasses multiple ecological and evolutionary processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow and phenotypic plasticity. Spatially explicit, individual-based models provide an outlet for simulating these complex interacting eco-evolutionary processes. We expanded the existing Cost-Distance Meta-POPulation (CDMetaPOP) framework with inducible plasticity modelled as a habitat selection behaviour, using temperature or habitat quality variables, with a genetically based selection threshold conditioned on past individual experience. To demonstrate expected results in the new module, we simulated hypothetical populations and then evaluated model performance in populations of redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) across three watersheds where temperatures induce physiological stress in parts of the stream network. We ran simulations using projected warming stream temperature data under four scenarios for alleles that: (1) confer thermal tolerance, (2) bestow plastic habitat selection, (3) give both thermal tolerance and habitat selection preference and (4) do not provide either thermal tolerance or habitat selection. Inclusion of an adaptive allele decreased declines in population sizes, but this impact was greatly reduced in the relatively cool stream networks. As anticipated with the new module, high-temperature patches remained unoccupied by individuals with the allele operating plastically after exposure to warm temperatures. Using complete habitat avoidance above the stressful temperature threshold, habitat selection reduced the overall population size due to the opportunity cost of avoiding areas with increased, but not guaranteed, mortality. Inclusion of plasticity within CDMetaPOP will provide the potential for genetic or plastic traits and 'rescue' to affect eco-evolutionary dynamics for research questions and conservation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Seaborn
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- School of Natural Resource Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Erin L. Landguth
- Computational Ecology Laboratory & Center for Population Health Research, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
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5
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Sepers B, Mateman AC, Gawehns F, Verhoeven KJF, van Oers K. Developmental stress does not induce genome-wide DNA methylation changes in wild great tit (Parus major) nestlings. Mol Ecol 2023. [PMID: 37154074 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The environment experienced during early life is a crucial factor in the life of many organisms. This early life environment has been shown to have profound effects on morphology, physiology and fitness. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects are largely unknown, even though they are essential for our understanding of the processes that induce phenotypic variation in natural populations. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that has been suggested to explain such environmentally induced phenotypic changes early in life. To investigate whether DNA methylation changes are associated with experimentally induced early developmental effects, we cross-fostered great tit (Parus major) nestlings and manipulated their brood sizes in a natural study population. We assessed experimental brood size effects on pre-fledging biometry and behaviour. We linked this to genome-wide DNA methylation levels of CpG sites in erythrocyte DNA, using 122 individuals and an improved epiGBS2 laboratory protocol. Brood enlargement caused developmental stress and negatively affected nestling condition, predominantly during the second half of the breeding season, when conditions are harsher. Brood enlargement, however, affected nestling DNA methylation in only one CpG site and only if the hatch date was taken into account. In conclusion, this study shows that nutritional stress in enlarged broods does not associate with direct effects on genome-wide DNA methylation. Future studies should assess whether genome-wide DNA methylation variation may arise later in life as a consequence of phenotypic changes during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernice Sepers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - A Christa Mateman
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur Gawehns
- Bioinformatics Unit, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Koen J F Verhoeven
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
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6
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van Oers K, van den Heuvel K, Sepers B. The Epigenetics of Animal Personality. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105194. [PMID: 37094740 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105194] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Animal personality, consistent individual differences in behaviour, is an important concept for understanding how individuals vary in how they cope with environmental challenges. In order to understand the evolutionary significance of animal personality, it is crucial to understand the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation are hypothesised to play a major role in explaining variation in phenotypic changes in response to environmental alterations. Several characteristics of DNA methylation also align well with the concept of animal personality. In this review paper, we summarise the current literature on the role that molecular epigenetic mechanisms may have in explaining personality variation. We elaborate on the potential for epigenetic mechanisms to explain behavioural variation, behavioural development and temporal consistency in behaviour. We then suggest future routes for this emerging field and point to potential pitfalls that may be encountered. We conclude that a more inclusive approach is needed for studying the epigenetics of animal personality and that epigenetic mechanisms cannot be studied without considering the genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands; Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Krista van den Heuvel
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands; Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bernice Sepers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands; Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, the Netherlands
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7
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Wund MA, Stevens DR. An introduction to the Special Issue honouring Susan A. Foster. Anim Behav 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
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8
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von Holdt BM, Kartzinel RY, van Oers K, Verhoeven KJF, Ouyang JQ. Changes in the rearing environment cause reorganization of molecular networks associated with DNA methylation. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:648-664. [PMID: 36567635 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13878] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Disentangling the interaction between the genetic basis and environmental context underlying phenotypic variation is critical for understanding organismal evolution. Environmental change, such as increased rates of urbanization, can induce shifts in phenotypic plasticity with some individuals adapting to city life while others are displaced. A key trait that can facilitate adaptation is the degree at which animals respond to stressors. This stress response, which includes elevation of baseline circulating concentrations of glucocorticoids, has a heritable component and exhibits intra- and inter-individual variation. However, the mechanisms behind this variability and whether they might be responsible for adaptation to different environments are not known. Variation in DNA methylation can be a potential mechanism that mediates environmental effects on the stress response, as early-life stressors increase glucocorticoid concentrations and change adult phenotype. We used an inter- and intra-environmental cross-foster experiment to analyse the contribution of DNA methylation to early-life phenotypic variation. We found that at hatching, urban house wren (Troglodytes aedon) offspring had higher methylation frequencies compared with their rural counterparts. We also observed age-related patterns in offspring methylation, indicating the developmental effects of the rearing environment on methylation. At fledgling, differential methylation analyses showed that cellular respiration genes were differentially methylated in broods of different origins and behavioural and metabolism genes were differentially methylated in broods of different rearing environments. Lastly, hyper-methylation of a single gene (CNTNAP2) is associated with decreased glucocorticoid levels and the rearing environment. These differential methylation patterns linked to a specific physiological phenotype suggest that DNA methylation may be a mechanism by which individuals adjust to novel environments during their lifespan. Characterizing genetic and environmental influences on methylation is critical for understanding the role of epigenetic mechanisms in evolutionary adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgett M von Holdt
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rebecca Y Kartzinel
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Koen J F Verhoeven
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jenny Q Ouyang
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
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Identifying the Effects of Social Disruption through Translocation on African Elephants ( Loxodonta africana), with Specifics on the Social and Ecological Impacts of Orphaning. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030483. [PMID: 36766373 PMCID: PMC9913331 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030483] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
African elephants (Loxodonta africana) exhibit a long developmental period during which they acquire complex social and ecological knowledge through social networks. Central to this is that matriarchs and older individuals play an important role as repositories of information gained through experience. Anthropogenic interventions-including poaching, culling, translocation, and hunting-can disrupt elephants' social networks, with implications for individual fitness and potential long-term population viability. Here, we draw on a unique long-running, individual-based dataset to examine the impacts of translocation on a population of elephants in South Africa, taking into consideration demographic rates, social dynamics, and ecological decision-making. Specifically, we compared two translocated groups: a group of unrelated culling Orphans and a family herd. We found that the Orphan group experienced accelerated reproductive rates when compared with the family herd. The Orphan group also fissioned more frequently and for longer periods of time, suggesting lower cohesiveness, and were less decisive in their large-scale movement decisions. These results add to the growing body of literature on the downstream impacts of social disruption for elephants. Whilst the translocation of culling Orphans is no longer practised in South Africa, we encourage careful consideration of any elephant translocation and the resulting social disruption.
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Ma J, Zhang L, Shen F, Geng Y, Huang Y, Wu H, Fan Z, Hou R, Song Z, Yue B, Zhang X. Gene expressions between obligate bamboo-eating pandas and non-herbivorous mammals reveal converged specialized bamboo diet adaptation. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:23. [PMID: 36647013 PMCID: PMC9843897 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09111-z] [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: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is inevitable to change the function or expression of genes during the environmental adaption of species. Both the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) belong to Carnivora and have developed similar adaptations to the same dietary switch to bamboos at the morphological and genomic levels. However, the genetic adaptation at the gene expression level is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the gene expression patterns of giant and red panda convergent specialized bamboo-diets. We examined differences in liver and pancreas transcriptomes between the two panda species and other non-herbivorous species. RESULTS The clustering and PCA plots suggested that the specialized bamboo diet may drive similar expression shifts in these two species of pandas. Therefore, we focused on shared liver and pancreas DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in the giant and red panda relative to other non-herbivorous species. Genetic convergence occurred at multiple levels spanning carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and lysine degradation. The shared adaptive convergence DEGs in both organs probably be an evolutionary response to the high carbohydrate, low lipid and lysine bamboo diet. Convergent expression of those nutrient metabolism-related genes in both pandas was an intricate process and subjected to multi-level regulation, including DNA methylation and transcription factor. A large number of lysine degradation and lipid metabolism related genes were hypermethylated in promoter regions in the red panda. Most genes related to carbohydrate metabolism had reduced DNA methylation with increased mRNA expression in giant pandas. Unlike the red panda, the core gene of the lysine degradation pathway (AASS) doesn't exhibit hypermethylation modification in the giant panda, and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that transcription factor, NR3C1, functions as a transcriptional activator in AASS transcription through the binding to AASS promoter region. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed the adaptive expressions and regulations of the metabolism-related genes responding to the unique nutrients in bamboo food and provided data accumulation and research hints for the future revelation of complex mechanism of two pandas underlying convergent adaptation to a specialized bamboo diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinnan Ma
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China ,grid.410739.80000 0001 0723 6903College of Continuing Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650092 China
| | - Liang Zhang
- grid.452857.9The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology of Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, 610081 China
| | - Fujun Shen
- grid.452857.9The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology of Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, 610081 China
| | - Yang Geng
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology On Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China
| | - Yan Huang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, 623006 Sichuan China
| | - Honglin Wu
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, 623006 Sichuan China
| | - Zhenxin Fan
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology On Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China
| | - Rong Hou
- grid.452857.9The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology of Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, 610081 China
| | - Zhaobin Song
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology On Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China
| | - Bisong Yue
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology On Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China
| | - Xiuyue Zhang
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology On Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, No.24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065 China
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Cheron M, Kato A, Ropert-Coudert Y, Meyer X, MacIntosh AJJ, Raoelison L, Brischoux F. Exposure, but not timing of exposure, to a sulfonylurea herbicide alters larval development and behaviour in an amphibian species. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 254:106355. [PMID: 36446167 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination is one of the major causes of biodiversity loss. Wetlands are particularly susceptible to contamination and species inhabiting these habitats are subjected to pollutants during sensitive phases of their development. In this study, tadpoles of a widespread amphibian, the spined toad (Bufo spinosus), were exposed to environmental concentrations of nicosulfuron (0 μg/L; 0.15 ± 0.05 μg/L and 0.83 ± 0.04 μg/L), a sulfonylurea herbicide, during different phases of development. Tadpoles were exposed during embryonic (12.98 ± 0.90 days) or larval development (93.74± 0.85 days), or throughout both phases, and we quantified development duration, morphological traits and behavioural features as responses to exposure. Developing tadpoles exposed to nicosulfuron were larger, but with smaller body, and had shorter but wider tail muscles. They were also more active and swam faster than control tadpoles and showed diverging patterns of behavioural complexity. We showed that higher concentrations had greater effects on individuals than lower concentrations, but the timing of nicosulfuron exposure did not influence the metrics studied: Exposure to nicosulfuron triggered similar effects irrespective of the developmental stages at which exposure occurred. These results further indicate that transient exposure (e.g., during embryonic development) can induce long-lasting effects throughout larval development to metamorphosis. Our study confirms that contaminants at environmental concentrations can have strong consequences on non-target organisms. Our results emphasize the need for regulation agencies and policy makers to consider sublethal concentrations of sulfonulyrea herbicides, such as nicosulfuron, as a minimum threshold in their recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Cheron
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France.
| | - Akiko Kato
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Xavier Meyer
- European Science Foundation, 1 quai Lezay-Marnesia, Strasbourg 67080, France
| | - Andrew J J MacIntosh
- Kyoto University Primate Research Institute, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama 484-8506, Japan
| | - Léa Raoelison
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
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12
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Patlar B. On the Role of Seminal Fluid Protein and Nucleic Acid Content in Paternal Epigenetic Inheritance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314533. [PMID: 36498858 PMCID: PMC9739459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The evidence supports the occurrence of environmentally-induced paternal epigenetic inheritance that shapes the offspring phenotype in the absence of direct or indirect paternal care and clearly demonstrates that sperm epigenetics is one of the major actors mediating these paternal effects. However, in most animals, while sperm makes up only a small portion of the seminal fluid, males also have a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, different types of small noncoding RNAs, and cell-free DNA fragments in their ejaculate. These seminal fluid contents (Sfcs) are in close contact with the reproductive cells, tissues, organs, and other molecules of both males and females during reproduction. Moreover, their production and use are adjusted in response to environmental conditions, making them potential markers of environmentally- and developmentally-induced paternal effects on the next generation(s). Although there is some intriguing evidence for Sfc-mediated paternal effects, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this review, the current evidence regarding the links between seminal fluid and environmental paternal effects and the potential pathways and mechanisms that seminal fluid may follow in mediating paternal epigenetic inheritance are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Patlar
- Animal Ecology, Department of Zoology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle (Saale), Germany
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13
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Westrick SE, Moss JB, Fischer EK. Who cares? An integrative approach to understanding the evolution of behavioural plasticity in parental care. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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14
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Meuthen D, Ferrari MCO, Chivers DP. Paternal care effects outweigh gamete-mediated and personal environment effects during the transgenerational estimation of risk in fathead minnows. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:187. [PMID: 34635051 PMCID: PMC8507329 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01919-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals can estimate risk by integrating prenatal with postnatal and personal information, but the relative importance of different information sources during the transgenerational response is unclear. The estimated level of risk can be tested using the cognitive rule of risk allocation, which postulates that under consistent high-risk, antipredator efforts should decrease so that individual metabolic requirements can be satisfied. Here we conduct a comprehensive study on transgenerational risk transmission by testing whether risk allocation occurs across 12 treatments that consist of different maternal, paternal, parental care (including cross-fostering) and offspring risk environment combinations in the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas, a small cyprinid fish with alloparental care. In each risk environment, we manipulated perceived risk by continuously exposing individuals from birth onwards to conspecific alarm cues or a control water treatment. Using 2810 1-month old individuals, we then estimated shoaling behaviour prior to and subsequent to a novel mechanical predator disturbance. RESULTS Overall, shoals estimating risk to be high were denser during the prestimulus period, and, following the risk allocation hypothesis, resumed normal shoaling densities faster following the disturbance. Treatments involving parental care consistently induced densest shoals and greatest levels of risk allocation. Although prenatal risk environments did not relate to paternal care intensity, greater care intensity induced more risk allocation when parents provided care for their own offspring as opposed to those that cross-fostered fry. In the absence of care, parental effects on shoaling density were relatively weak and personal environments modulated risk allocation only when parental risk was low. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the high relative importance of parental care as opposed to other information sources, and its function as a mechanism underlying transgenerational risk transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Meuthen
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada.
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Maud C O Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Douglas P Chivers
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
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15
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Nieberding CM, Marcantonio M, Voda R, Enriquez T, Visser B. The Evolutionary Relevance of Social Learning and Transmission in Non-Social Arthropods with a Focus on Oviposition-Related Behaviors. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101466. [PMID: 34680861 PMCID: PMC8536077 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on social learning has centered around vertebrates, but evidence is accumulating that small-brained, non-social arthropods also learn from others. Social learning can lead to social inheritance when socially acquired behaviors are transmitted to subsequent generations. Using oviposition site selection, a critical behavior for most arthropods, as an example, we first highlight the complementarities between social and classical genetic inheritance. We then discuss the relevance of studying social learning and transmission in non-social arthropods and document known cases in the literature, including examples of social learning from con- and hetero-specifics. We further highlight under which conditions social learning can be adaptive or not. We conclude that non-social arthropods and the study of oviposition behavior offer unparalleled opportunities to unravel the importance of social learning and inheritance for animal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Nieberding
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (M.M.); (R.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Matteo Marcantonio
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (M.M.); (R.V.)
| | - Raluca Voda
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics Group, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (M.M.); (R.V.)
| | - Thomas Enriquez
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (T.E.); (B.V.)
| | - Bertanne Visser
- Evolution and Ecophysiology Group, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; (T.E.); (B.V.)
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16
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Pressley M, Salvioli M, Lewis DB, Richards CL, Brown JS, Staňková K. Evolutionary Dynamics of Treatment-Induced Resistance in Cancer Informs Understanding of Rapid Evolution in Natural Systems. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.681121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid evolution is ubiquitous in nature. We briefly review some of this quite broadly, particularly in the context of response to anthropogenic disturbances. Nowhere is this more evident, replicated and accessible to study than in cancer. Curiously cancer has been late - relative to fisheries, antibiotic resistance, pest management and evolution in human dominated landscapes - in recognizing the need for evolutionarily informed management strategies. The speed of evolution matters. Here, we employ game-theoretic modeling to compare time to progression with continuous maximum tolerable dose to that of adaptive therapy where treatment is discontinued when the population of cancer cells gets below half of its initial size and re-administered when the cancer cells recover, forming cycles with and without treatment. We show that the success of adaptive therapy relative to continuous maximum tolerable dose therapy is much higher if the population of cancer cells is defined by two cell types (sensitive vs. resistant in a polymorphic population). Additionally, the relative increase in time to progression increases with the speed of evolution. These results hold with and without a cost of resistance in cancer cells. On the other hand, treatment-induced resistance can be modeled as a quantitative trait in a monomorphic population of cancer cells. In that case, when evolution is rapid, there is no advantage to adaptive therapy. Initial responses to therapy are blunted by the cancer cells evolving too quickly. Our study emphasizes how cancer provides a unique system for studying rapid evolutionary changes within tumor ecosystems in response to human interventions; and allows us to contrast and compare this system to other human managed or dominated systems in nature.
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17
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Let's get wild: A review of free-ranging rat assays as context-enriched supplements to traditional laboratory models. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 362:109303. [PMID: 34352335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
More than 24,000 rodent studies are published annually, with the vast majority of these studies focused on genetically undiverse animals in highly-controlled laboratory settings. However, findings from the laboratory have become increasingly unreliable for predicting outcomes in field and clinical settings, leading to a perceived crisis in translational research. One cause of this disparity might be that most human societies, in contrast to laboratory rodents, are genetically diverse and live in super-enriched environments. Methods for importing wild rats into the laboratory, and also exporting laboratory-style chambers into natural environments are not well-known outside their respective disciplines. Therefore, we have reviewed the current status of supplements to the laboratory rodent assay. We progress logically from highly-controlled experiments with natural breeding colonies to purely naturalistic approaches with free-ranging rats. We then highlight a number of approaches that allow genetically-diverse wild rats to be utilized in context-enriched paradigms. While considering the benefits and shortcomings of each available approach, we detail protocols for random sampling, remote-sensing, and deployment of laboratory chambers in the field. As supplements to standardized laboratory trials, some of these assays could offer key insights to help unify outcomes between laboratory and field studies. However, we note several outstanding questions that must be addressed such as: the trade-off between control and context, possible reductions in sample size, ramifications for the 'standardization fallacy', and ethical dilemmas of working with wild animals. Given these challenges, further innovation will be required before supplemental assays can be made broadly-accessible and thus, transferrable across disciplines.
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18
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Pan X, Liu F, Song Y, Wang H, Wang L, Qiu H, Price M, Li J. Motor Stereotypic Behavior Was Associated With Immune Response in Macaques: Insight From Transcriptome and Gut Microbiota Analysis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:644540. [PMID: 34394017 PMCID: PMC8360393 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.644540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor stereotypic behaviors (MSBs) are common in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and human with psychiatric diseases. However, large gaps remain in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate this behavior and whether there are similarities between human and non-human primates that exhibit this behavior, especially at gene expression and gut microbiota levels. The present study combined behavior, blood transcriptome, and gut microbiota data of two groups of captive macaques to explore this issue (i.e., MSB macaques with high MSB exhibition and those with low: control macaques). Observation data showed that MSB macaques spent the most time on MSB (33.95%), while the CONTROL macaques allocated more time to active (30.99%) and general behavior (30.0%), and only 0.97% of their time for MSB. Blood transcriptome analysis revealed 382 differentially expressed genes between the two groups, with 339 upregulated genes significantly enriched in inflammation/immune response-related pathway. We also identified upregulated pro-inflammatory genes TNFRSF1A, IL1R1, and IL6R. Protein–protein interaction network analysis screened nine hub genes that were all related to innate immune response, and our transcriptomic results were highly similar to findings in human psychiatric disorders. We found that there were significant differences in the beta-diversity of gut microbiota between MSB and CONTROL macaques. Of which Phascolarctobacterium, the producer of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), was less abundant in MSB macaques. Meanwhile, PICRUSTs predicted that SCFAs intermediates biosynthesis and metabolic pathways were significantly downregulated in MSB macaques. Together, our study revealed that the behavioral, gene expression levels, and gut microbiota composition in MSB macaques was different to controls, and MSB was closely linked with inflammation and immune response. This work provides valuable information for future in-depth investigation of MSB and human psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Song
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongrun Wang
- Development and Application of Human Major Disease Monkey Model Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Hengshu Bio-Technology Co., Ltd., Yibin, China
| | - Lingyun Wang
- Development and Application of Human Major Disease Monkey Model Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Hengshu Bio-Technology Co., Ltd., Yibin, China
| | - Hong Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Megan Price
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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19
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Development and Control of Behaviour. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-82879-0_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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20
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van Oers K, Sepers B, Sies W, Gawehns F, Verhoeven KJF, Laine VN. Epigenetics of Animal Personality: DNA Methylation Cannot Explain the Heritability of Exploratory Behavior in a Songbird. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:1517-1530. [PMID: 33031487 PMCID: PMC7742756 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for the hereditary mechanisms underlying quantitative traits traditionally focused on the identification of underlying genomic polymorphisms such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms. It has now become clear that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, can consistently alter gene expression over multiple generations. It is unclear, however, if and how DNA methylation can stably be transferred from one generation to the next and can thereby be a component of the heritable variation of a trait. In this study, we explore whether DNA methylation responds to phenotypic selection using whole-genome and genome-wide bisulfite approaches. We assessed differential erythrocyte DNA methylation patterns between extreme personality types in the Great Tit (Parus major). For this, we used individuals from a four-generation artificial bi-directional selection experiment and siblings from eight F2 inter-cross families. We find no differentially methylated sites when comparing the selected personality lines, providing no evidence for the so-called epialleles associated with exploratory behavior. Using a pair-wise sibling design in the F2 intercrosses, we show that the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of individuals are mainly explained by family structure, indicating that the majority of variation in DNA methylation in CpG sites between individuals can be explained by genetic differences. Although we found some candidates explaining behavioral differences between F2 siblings, we could not confirm this with a whole-genome approach, thereby confirming the absence of epialleles in these F2 intercrosses. We conclude that while epigenetic variation may underlie phenotypic variation in behavioral traits, we were not able to find evidence that DNA methylation can explain heritable variation in personality traits in Great Tits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - Bernice Sepers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - William Sies
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur Gawehns
- Bioinformatics Unit, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Koen J F Verhoeven
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Veronika N Laine
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
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21
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Lai YH, Audira G, Liang ST, Siregar P, Suryanto ME, Lin HC, Villalobos O, Villaflores OB, Hao E, Lim KH, Hsiao CD. Duplicated dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab DNA Methyltransferase Genes Play Essential and Non-Overlapped Functions on Modulating Behavioral Control in Zebrafish. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111322. [PMID: 33171840 PMCID: PMC7695179 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays several roles in regulating neuronal proliferation, differentiation, and physiological functions. The major de novo methyltransferase, DNMT3, controls the DNA methylation pattern in neurons according to environmental stimulations and behavioral regulations. Previous studies demonstrated that knockout of Dnmt3 induced mouse anxiety; however, controversial results showed that activation of Dnmt3 causes anxiolytic behavior. Thus, an alternative animal model to clarify Dnmt3 on modulating behavior is crucial. Therefore, we aimed to establish a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model to clarify the function of dnmt3 on fish behavior by behavioral endpoint analyses. We evaluated the behaviors of the wild type, dnmt3aa, and dnmt3ab knockout (KO) fish by the novel tank, mirror biting, predator avoidance, social interaction, shoaling, circadian rhythm locomotor activity, color preference, and short-term memory tests. The results indicated that the dnmt3aa KO fish possessed abnormal exploratory behaviors and less fear response to the predator. On the other hand, dnmt3ab KO fish displayed less aggression, fear response to the predator, and interests to interact with their conspecifics, loosen shoaling formation, and dysregulated color preference index ranking. Furthermore, both knockout fishes showed higher locomotion activity during the night cycle, which is a sign of anxiety. However, changes in some neurotransmitter levels were observed in the mutant fishes. Lastly, whole-genome DNA methylation sequencing demonstrates a potential network of Dnmt3a proteins that is responsive to behavioral alterations. To sum up, the results suggested that the dnmt3aa KO or dnmt3ab KO fish display anxiety symptoms, which supported the idea that Dnmt3 modulates the function involved in emotional control, social interaction, and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Heng Lai
- Department of Chemistry, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan;
| | - Gilbert Audira
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (G.A.); (P.S.)
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (S.-T.L.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Sung-Tzu Liang
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (S.-T.L.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Petrus Siregar
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (G.A.); (P.S.)
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (S.-T.L.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Michael Edbert Suryanto
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (S.-T.L.); (M.E.S.)
| | - Huan-Chau Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Number 92, Section 2, Chungshan North Road, Taipei 10449, Taiwan;
| | - Omar Villalobos
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines;
| | - Oliver B. Villaflores
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines;
| | - Erwei Hao
- Guangxi Scientific Experimental Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, Guangxi, China
- Correspondence: (E.H.); (K.-H.L.); (C.-D.H.)
| | - Ken-Hong Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Number 92, Section 2, Chungshan North Road, Taipei 10449, Taiwan;
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, Sanzhi Dist., New Taipei City 252, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (E.H.); (K.-H.L.); (C.-D.H.)
| | - Chung-Der Hsiao
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (G.A.); (P.S.)
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan; (S.-T.L.); (M.E.S.)
- Center of Nanotechnology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 320314, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (E.H.); (K.-H.L.); (C.-D.H.)
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22
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Stevenson TJ, Hanson HE, Martin LB. Theory, hormones and life history stages: an introduction to the symposium epigenetic variation in endocrine systems. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:1454-1457. [PMID: 33326579 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa140] [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
All organisms must respond to environmental stimuli, and most metazoans do so through endocrine system regulation. Hormonal fluctuations allow organisms to maintain and return to homeostasis following perturbations, making them vital for survival and fitness. Many components of the endocrine system (e.g., proteins, steroids, receptors, genome response elements, etc.) and the physiological and behavioral processes they regulate are conserved among vertebrates (e.g., the glucocorticoid stress response). However, there are sometimes dramatic differences among and within species, particularly in how hormonal variation affects phenotypes. Some such variation is driven by internal factors such as genetics, developmental stage, sex, individual age, and body condition in addition to external factors such as the type, magnitude, and duration of environmental stimuli. Eco-evolutionary endocrinology has been quite successful in describing this variation among and within species, but we have only just begun to understand how these factors interact to affect phenotypic diversity, ecological function, and evolution. Mounting evidence suggests that various molecular epigenetic modifications of genome structure and activity, such as deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and small RNAs, mediate the interactions between environmental conditions, individual traits, and the endocrine system. As some epigenetic modifications can be induced or removed by environmental stimuli, they represent promising candidates underlying endocrine regulation and variation, particularly epigenetic marks that can be stably inherited. This symposium discussed the role of epigenetic modifications in endocrine systems, mainly in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Stevenson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Haley E Hanson
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, College of Public Health University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, College of Public Health University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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23
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Morel‐Journel T, Thuillier V, Pennekamp F, Laurent E, Legrand D, Chaine AS, Schtickzelle N. A multidimensional approach to the expression of phenotypic plasticity. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Morel‐Journel
- Earth and Life Institute Biodiversity Research Centre Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
| | - Virginie Thuillier
- Earth and Life Institute Biodiversity Research Centre Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
| | - Frank Pennekamp
- Earth and Life Institute Biodiversity Research Centre Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Estelle Laurent
- Earth and Life Institute Biodiversity Research Centre Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
| | - Delphine Legrand
- Earth and Life Institute Biodiversity Research Centre Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS UMR5321 Moulis France
| | - Alexis S. Chaine
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS UMR5321 Moulis France
- Toulouse School of Economics Institute for Advanced Studies in Toulouse Toulouse France
| | - Nicolas Schtickzelle
- Earth and Life Institute Biodiversity Research Centre Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
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24
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Diquelou MC, Griffin AS. Behavioral Responses of Invasive and Nuisance Vertebrates to Harvesting: A Mechanistic Framework. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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25
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Atherton JA, McCormick MI. Parents know best: transgenerational predator recognition through parental effects. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9340. [PMID: 32596050 PMCID: PMC7306219 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In highly biodiverse systems, such as coral reefs, prey species are faced with predatory threats from numerous species. Recognition of predators can be innate, or learned, and can help increase the chance of survival. Research suggests that parental exposure to increased predatory threats can affect the development, behaviour, and ultimately, success of their offspring. Breeding pairs of damselfish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus) were subjected to one of three olfactory and visual treatments (predator, herbivore, or control), and their developing embryos were subsequently exposed to five different chemosensory cues. Offspring of parents assigned to the predator treatment exhibited a mean increase in heart rate two times greater than that of offspring from parents in herbivore or control treatments. This increased reaction to a parentally known predator odour suggests that predator-treated parents passed down relevant threat information to their offspring, via parental effects. This is the first time transgenerational recognition of a specific predator has been confirmed in any species. This phenomenon could influence predator-induced mortality rates and enable populations to adaptively respond to fluctuations in predator composition and environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Atherton
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark I McCormick
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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26
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Pei Y, Forstmeier W, Kempenaers B. Offspring performance is well buffered against stress experienced by ancestors. Evolution 2020; 74:1525-1539. [PMID: 32463119 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Evolution should render individuals resistant to stress and particularly to stress experienced by ancestors. However, many studies report negative effects of stress experienced by one generation on the performance of subsequent generations. To assess the strength of such transgenerational effects we propose a strategy aimed at overcoming the problem of type I errors when testing multiple proxies of stress in multiple ancestors against multiple offspring performance traits, and we apply it to a large observational dataset on captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). We combine clear one-tailed hypotheses with steps of validation, meta-analytic summary of mean effect sizes, and independent confirmatory testing. We find that drastic differences in early growth conditions (nestling body mass 8 days after hatching varied sevenfold between 1.7 and 12.4 g) had only moderate direct effects on adult morphology (95% confidence interval [CI]: r = 0.19-0.27) and small direct effects on adult fitness traits (r = 0.02-0.12). In contrast, we found no indirect effects of parental or grandparental condition (r = -0.017 to 0.002; meta-analytic summary of 138 effect sizes), and mixed evidence for small benefits of matching environments between parents and offspring, as the latter was not robust to confirmatory testing in independent datasets. This study shows that evolution has led to a remarkable robustness of zebra finches against undernourishment. Our study suggests that transgenerational effects are absent in this species, because CIs exclude all biologically relevant effect sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Pei
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Forstmeier
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, 82319, Germany
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27
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Liker A. Biologia Futura: adaptive changes in urban populations. Biol Futur 2020; 71:1-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s42977-020-00005-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AbstractCities represent novel environments where altered ecological conditions can generate strong selection pressures leading to the evolution of specific urban phenotypes. Is there evidence for such adaptive changes in urban populations which have colonized their new environments relatively recently? A growing number of studies suggest that rapid adaptations may be widespread in wild urban populations, including increased tolerance to various anthropogenic stressors, and physiological, morphological and behavioural changes in response to the altered resources and predation risk. Some of these adaptive changes are based on genetic differentiation, although other mechanisms, such as phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic effects, are also frequently involved.
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28
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Purcell J, Pruitt JN. Are personalities genetically determined? Inferences from subsocial spiders. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:867. [PMID: 31752670 PMCID: PMC6873478 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6172-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent research has revealed that polymorphic behavioral strategies shape intra-and interspecific interactions and contribute to fitness in many animal species. A better understanding of the proximate mechanisms underlying these behavioral syndromes will enhance our grasp this phenomenon. Spiders in the genus Anelosimus exhibit inter-individual behavioral variation on several axes: individuals have consistent responses to stimuli (e.g. bold vs. shy individuals) and they are subsocial (exhibiting extended maternal care and sibling cooperation) across most of their range, but they sometimes form permanent social groups in northern temperate regions. Here, we seek genetic variants associated with boldness and with social structure in a socially polymorphic population of the spider Anelosimus studiosus. We also develop preliminary genomic resources, including a genome assembly and linkage map, that support this and future genomic research on this group. Results Remarkably, we identify a small genomic scaffold (~ 1200 bp) that harbors seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with boldness. Moreover, heterozygotes are less common than expected based on Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting that either assortative mating or selection against heterozygotes may be occurring in this system. We find no loci significantly associated with social organization. Our draft genome assembly allows us to localize SNPs of interest in this study and to carry out genetic comparisons with other published genomes, although it remains highly fragmented. Conclusions By identifying a locus associated with a well-studied animal personality trait, this study opens up avenues for future research to link behavioral studies of animal personality with genotype and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Purcell
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| | - Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
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29
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Newhouse DJ, Barcelo-Serra M, Tuttle EM, Gonser RA, Balakrishnan CN. Parent and offspring genotypes influence gene expression in early life. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:4166-4180. [PMID: 31421010 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Parents can have profound effects on offspring fitness. Little, however, is known about the mechanisms through which parental genetic variation influences offspring physiology in natural systems. White-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis, WTSP) exist in two genetic morphs, tan and white, controlled by a large polymorphic supergene. Morphs mate disassortatively, resulting in two pair types: tan male × white female (T × W) pairs, which provide biparental care and white male × tan female (W × T) pairs, which provide female-biased care. To investigate how parental composition impacts offspring, we performed RNA-seq on whole blood of WTSP nestlings sampled from nests of both pair types. Parental pair type had a large effect on nestling gene expression, with 881 genes differentially expressed (DE) and seven correlated gene coexpression modules. The DE genes and modules expressed at higher levels in W × T nests with female-biased parental care function in metabolism and stress-related pathways resulting from the overrepresentation of proteolysis and stress-response genes (e.g., SOD2, NR3C1). These results show that parental genotypes and/or associated behaviours influence nestling physiology, and highlight avenues of further research investigating the ultimate implications for the maintenance of this polymorphism. Nestlings also exhibited morph-specific gene expression, with 92 differentially expressed genes, comprising immunity genes and genes encompassed by the supergene. Remarkably, we identified the same regulatory hub genes in these blood-derived expression networks as were previously identified in adult WTSP brains (EPM2A, BPNT1, TAF5L). These hub genes were located within the supergene, highlighting the importance of this gene complex in structuring regulatory networks across diverse tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Newhouse
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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30
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Rey O, Eizaguirre C, Angers B, Baltazar‐Soares M, Sagonas K, Prunier JG, Blanchet S. Linking epigenetics and biological conservation: Towards a
conservation epigenetics
perspective. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Rey
- CNRS UMR 5244, Interactions Hôtes‐Pathogènes‐Environnements (IHPE) Université de Perpignan Via Domitia Perpignan France
| | - Christophe Eizaguirre
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London London UK
| | - Bernard Angers
- Department of Biological Sciences Université de Montréal Montreal QC Canada
| | | | - Kostas Sagonas
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London London UK
| | - Jérôme G. Prunier
- Evolution et Diversité Biologique, École Nationale Supérieure de Formation de l'Enseignement Agricole (ENSFEA), CNRS, UPS, UMR5174 Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) Toulouse France
| | - Simon Blanchet
- Evolution et Diversité Biologique, École Nationale Supérieure de Formation de l'Enseignement Agricole (ENSFEA), CNRS, UPS, UMR5174 Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) Toulouse France
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, UMR5321, CNRS Université Paul Sabatier (UP) Moulis France
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31
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Taff CC, Campagna L, Vitousek MN. Genome-wide variation in DNA methylation is associated with stress resilience and plumage brightness in a wild bird. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:3722-3737. [PMID: 31330076 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Individuals often differ in their ability to cope with challenging environmental and social conditions. Evidence from model systems suggests that patterns of DNA methylation are associated with variation in coping ability. These associations could arise directly if methylation plays a role in controlling the physiological response to stressors by, among other things, regulating the release of glucocorticoids in response to challenges. Alternatively, the association could arise indirectly if methylation and resilience have a common cause, such as early-life conditions. In either case, methylation might act as a biomarker for coping ability. At present, however, relatively little is known about whether variation in methylation is associated with organismal performance and resilience under natural conditions. We studied genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation in free-living female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and a tree swallow genome that was assembled for this study. We identified areas of the genome that were differentially methylated with respect to social signal expression (breast brightness) and physiological traits (ability to terminate the glucocorticoid stress response through negative feedback). We also asked whether methylation predicted resilience to a subsequent experimentally imposed challenge. Individuals with brighter breast plumage and higher stress resilience had lower methylation at differentially methylated regions across the genome. Thus, widespread differences in methylation predicted both social signal expression and the response to future challenges under natural conditions. These results have implications for predicting individual differences in resilience, and for understanding the mechanistic basis of resilience and its environmental and social mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor C Taff
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.,Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Leonardo Campagna
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.,Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Maren N Vitousek
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.,Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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32
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Garcia MJ, Rodríguez-Brenes S, Kobisk A, Adler L, Ryan MJ, Taylor RC, Hunter KL. Epigenomic changes in the túngara frog (Physalaemus pustulosus): possible effects of introduced fungal pathogen and urbanization. Evol Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-019-10001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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33
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Garcia TS, Bredeweg EM, Urbina J, Ferrari MCO. Evaluating adaptive, carry-over, and plastic antipredator responses across a temporal gradient in Pacific chorus frogs. Ecology 2019; 100:e02825. [PMID: 31325377 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The development of antipredator traits is dependent on the frequency and intensity of predator exposure over evolutionary and ecological time. We hypothesized that prey species would respond with increasing accuracy when exposed to predators across generational, ontogenetic, and immediate time scales. We assessed larval Pacific chorus frog (PSRE; Pseudacris regilla) individuals that varied in population sympatry, embryonic conditioning, and immediate exposure to stocked populations of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Using PSRE populations from sites with and without resident rainbow trout, we conditioned embryos to trout odor, PSRE alarm cues, trout odor in combination with alarm cues, or control water. After being hatched and reared in control water, individuals were exposed to the four predator cue treatments using a fully factorial design. Tadpoles from populations with resident rainbow trout did not behave or develop differently than tadpoles originating from fishless sites. However, we found evidence that PSRE reduced predation risk with a combination of carry-over effect (i.e., transfer of information across life history stages) and within-life stage phenotypically plastic mechanisms. We found both developmental and behavioral carry-over effects: tadpoles conditioned with trout odor as embryos grew more slowly and took refuge more often than control animals. Within-life-stage behavioral plasticity was observed in tadpoles from all treatment groups, responding to predator cues with increased refuge use. Potentially additive effects of predator exposure on prey response should be considered when predicting the ability of prey to recognize novel threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany S Garcia
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Evan M Bredeweg
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Jenny Urbina
- Environmental Science Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Maud C O Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada
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34
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Barth JMI, Villegas-Ríos D, Freitas C, Moland E, Star B, André C, Knutsen H, Bradbury I, Dierking J, Petereit C, Righton D, Metcalfe J, Jakobsen KS, Olsen EM, Jentoft S. Disentangling structural genomic and behavioural barriers in a sea of connectivity. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:1394-1411. [PMID: 30633410 PMCID: PMC6518941 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genetic divergence among populations arises through natural selection or drift and is counteracted by connectivity and gene flow. In sympatric populations, isolating mechanisms are thus needed to limit the homogenizing effects of gene flow to allow for adaptation and speciation. Chromosomal inversions act as an important mechanism maintaining isolating barriers, yet their role in sympatric populations and divergence with gene flow is not entirely understood. Here, we revisit the question of whether inversions play a role in the divergence of connected populations of the marine fish Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), by exploring a unique data set combining whole‐genome sequencing data and behavioural data obtained with acoustic telemetry. Within a confined fjord environment, we find three genetically differentiated Atlantic cod types belonging to the oceanic North Sea population, the western Baltic population and a local fjord‐type cod. Continuous behavioural tracking over 4 year revealed temporally stable sympatry of these types within the fjord. Despite overall weak genetic differentiation consistent with high levels of gene flow, we detected significant frequency shifts of three previously identified inversions, indicating an adaptive barrier to gene flow. In addition, behavioural data indicated that North Sea cod and individuals homozygous for the LG12 inversion had lower fitness in the fjord environment. However, North Sea and fjord‐type cod also occupy different depths, possibly contributing to prezygotic reproductive isolation and representing a behavioural barrier to gene flow. Our results provide the first insights into a complex interplay of genomic and behavioural isolating barriers in Atlantic cod and establish a new model system towards an understanding of the role of genomic structural variants in adaptation and diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M I Barth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Villegas-Ríos
- Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, IMEDEA CSIC-UIB, Esporles, Spain.,Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Marine Research, (IIM CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Carla Freitas
- Institute for Marine Research, Flødevigen, Norway.,Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Agder, Norway.,Oceanic Observatory of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Even Moland
- Institute for Marine Research, Flødevigen, Norway.,Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Agder, Norway
| | - Bastiaan Star
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Carl André
- Department of Marine Sciences - Tjärnö, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Halvor Knutsen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Marine Research, Flødevigen, Norway.,Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Agder, Norway
| | - Ian Bradbury
- Science Branch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Jan Dierking
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - David Righton
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft, UK
| | - Julian Metcalfe
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft, UK
| | - Kjetill S Jakobsen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Esben M Olsen
- Institute for Marine Research, Flødevigen, Norway.,Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Agder, Norway
| | - Sissel Jentoft
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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35
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Torres R, Chin E, Rampton R, Williams TD. Are there synergistic or antagonistic effects of multiple maternally-derived egg components (antibodies and testosterone) on offspring phenotype? J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.196956. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.196956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Eggs are ‘multivariate’ in that they contain multiple maternally-derived egg components (e.g. hormones, antibodies, mRNA, antioxidants) which are thought to influence offspring phenotype. However, most studies have focused on single egg components and on short-term effects. Here, we simultaneously manipulated two egg components, maternally-derived antibodies (MAb) and yolk testosterone (T) to assess potential synergistic or antagonistic effects on offspring phenotype from hatching to sexual maturity. We found no evidence for short-or long-term effects of either MAb or yolk T alone, or their interaction, on hatching mass, size at fledging (tarsus), body mass at sexual maturity (day 82), chick survival, humoral immune function, or any measured female reproductive trait at sexual maturity. There was a positive effect of yolk T, but not MAb, on offspring PHA response at 26 days of age but at 82 days of age MAb, but not yolk T, had a positive effect on PHA response. There was also a MAb*sex interaction on 30 day chick mass, and a positive effect of yolk T on male courtship behaviour at sexual maturity. However, we found no evidence for synergy, i.e. where offspring treated both with MAb and yolk T had higher trait values than offspring treated with either MAb or yolk T alone for any measured trait. Similarly, evidence for antagonistic (compensatory) effects, where offspring treated both with MAb and yolk T had intermediate trait values compared with offspring treated with either MAb or yolk T alone, was equivocal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Torres
- Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, A.P. 70-275, Mexico D.F., 04510, Mexico
| | - Eunice Chin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 4H8, Canada
| | - Rowan Rampton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 4H8, Canada
| | - Tony D Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 4H8, Canada
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36
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Kilvitis HJ, Ardia DR, Thiam M, Martin LB. Corticosterone is correlated to mediators of neural plasticity and epigenetic potential in the hippocampus of Senegalese house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 269:177-183. [PMID: 30257180 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Our previous research on range-expanding house sparrows in Kenya revealed that (i) range-edge birds released more corticosterone (CORT) in response to a stressor than range-core birds, ii) that range-edge birds were more exploratory than range-core birds, and that (iii) all birds exhibited extensive variation in genome-wide DNA methylation among individuals, regardless of their position along the range expansion. Within the hippocampus, mediators of neural plasticity such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), can influence and be influenced by CORT, hippocampus-associated behaviors and regulatory epigenetic modification enzymes. Here, we investigated whether individuals and populations colonizing a new geographic range, Senegal, vary in the expression of BDNF and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) within the hippocampus and the release of CORT in response to a stressor. DNMT expression is an important mediator of epigenetic potential, the propensity of a genome to capacitate phenotypic variation via mechanisms such as DNA methylation. We surveyed three populations across Senegal, predicting that hippocampal BDNF and DNMT expression would be highest at the range-edge, and that BDNF and DNMT would be inversely related to one another, but would each positively covary with CORT within individuals. We found a nonlinear relationship between CORT and BDNF expression within individuals. Moreover, we found that CORT positively covaried with DNMT1 expression in a more recently established population, while the reverse was true in the oldest population (i.e. at the range-core). Our study is among the first to explore whether and how variation in CORT regulation contributes to variation in mediators of neural plasticity and epigenetic potential within the hippocampus of a range-expanding vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly J Kilvitis
- University of South Florida, Department of Integrative Biology, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Daniel R Ardia
- Franklin & Marshall College, Department of Biology, Lancaster, PA, USA
| | - Massamba Thiam
- Universite Cheikh Anta Diop, Department of Biology, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Lynn B Martin
- University of South Florida, Department of Global Health, Tampa, FL, USA
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37
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Santos PKF, de Souza Araujo N, Françoso E, Zuntini AR, Arias MC. Diapause in a tropical oil-collecting bee: molecular basis unveiled by RNA-Seq. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:305. [PMID: 29703143 PMCID: PMC5923013 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4694-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diapause is a natural phenomenon characterized by an arrest in development that ensures the survival of organisms under extreme environmental conditions. The process has been well documented in arthropods. However, its molecular basis has been mainly studied in species from temperate zones, leaving a knowledge gap of this phenomenon in tropical species. In the present study, the Neotropical and solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes was employed as a model for investigating diapause in species from tropical zones. Being a bivoltine insect, Tetrapedia diversipes produce two generations of offspring per year. The first generation, normally born during the wet season, develops faster than individuals from the second generation, born after the dry season. Furthermore, it has been shown that the development of the progeny, of the second generation, is halted at the 5th larval instar, and remains in larval diapause during the dry season. Towards the goal of gaining a better understanding of the diapause phenomenon we compared the global gene expression pattern, in larvae, from both reproductive generations and during diapause. The results demonstrate that there are similarities in the observed gene expression patterns to those already described for temperate climate models, and also identify diapause-related genes that have not been previously reported in the literature. RESULTS The RNA-Seq analysis identified 2275 differentially expressed transcripts, of which 1167 were annotated. Of these genes, during diapause, 352 were upregulated and 815 were downregulated. According to their biological functions, these genes were categorized into the following groups: cellular detoxification, cytoskeleton, cuticle, sterol and lipid metabolism, cell cycle, heat shock proteins, immune response, circadian clock, and epigenetic control. CONCLUSION Many of the identified genes have already been described as being related to diapause; however, new genes were discovered, for the first time, in this study. Among those, we highlight: Niemann-Pick type C1, NPC2 and Acyl-CoA binding protein homolog (all involved in ecdysteroid synthesis); RhoBTB2 and SASH1 (associated with cell cycle regulation) and Histone acetyltransferase KAT7 (related to epigenetic transcriptional regulation). The results presented here add important findings to the understanding of diapause in tropical species, thus increasing the comprehension of diapause-related molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Karla F. Santos
- 0000 0004 1937 0722grid.11899.38Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, Room 320, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Natalia de Souza Araujo
- 0000 0001 0805 7253grid.4861.bCurrent address: GIGA – Medical Genomics, Unit of Animal Genomics, University of Liege, Quartier Hopital, Avenue de I’Hopital, 11, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Elaine Françoso
- 0000 0004 1937 0722grid.11899.38Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, Room 320, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rizzo Zuntini
- 0000 0001 0723 2494grid.411087.bDepartamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, Barão Geraldo, Campinas, SP CEP 13083-970 Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Arias
- 0000 0004 1937 0722grid.11899.38Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, Room 320, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-090 Brazil
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38
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Kilvitis HJ, Hanson H, Schrey AW, Martin LB. Epigenetic Potential as a Mechanism of Phenotypic Plasticity in Vertebrate Range Expansions. Integr Comp Biol 2018; 57:385-395. [PMID: 28859411 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icx082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SYNOPSIS During range expansions, organisms are often exposed to multiple pressures, including novel enemies (i.e., predators, competitors and/or parasites) and unfamiliar or limited resources. Additionally, small propagule sizes at range edges can result in genetic founder effects and bottlenecks, which can affect phenotypic diversity and thus selection. Despite these obstacles, individuals in expanding populations often thrive at the periphery of a range, and this success may be mediated by phenotypic plasticity. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms may underlie such plasticity because they allow for more rapid phenotypic responses to novel environments than are possible via the accumulation of genetic variation. Here, we review how molecular epigenetic mechanisms could facilitate plasticity in range-expanding organisms, emphasizing the roles of DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks in the physiological regulatory networks that drive whole-organism performance. We focus on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, arguing that epigenetically-mediated plasticity in the regulation of glucocorticoids in particular might strongly impact range expansions. We hypothesize that novel environments release and/or select for epigenetic potential in HPA variation and hence organismal performance and ultimately fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly J Kilvitis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Haley Hanson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Aaron W Schrey
- Department of Biology, Armstrong State University, Savannah, GA 31419, USA
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
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39
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Renn SCP, O'Rourke CF, Aubin-Horth N, Fraser EJ, Hofmann HA. Dissecting the Transcriptional Patterns of Social Dominance across Teleosts. Integr Comp Biol 2018; 56:1250-1265. [PMID: 27940616 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icw118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In many species, under varying ecological conditions, social interactions among individuals result in the formation of dominance hierarchies. Despite general similarities, there are robust differences among dominance hierarchies across species, populations, environments, life stages, sexes, and individuals. Understanding the proximate mechanisms underlying the variation is an important step toward understanding the evolution of social behavior. However, physiological changes associated with dominance, such as gonadal maturation and somatic growth, often complicate efforts to identify the specific underlying mechanisms. Traditional gene expression analyses are useful for generating candidate gene lists, but are biased by choice of significance cut-offs and difficult to use for between-study comparisons. In contrast, complementary analysis tools allow one to both test a priori hypotheses and generate new hypotheses. Here we employ a meta-analysis of high-throughput expression profiling experiments to investigate the gene expression patterns that underlie mechanisms and evolution of behavioral social phenotypes. Specifically, we use a collection of datasets on social dominance in fish across social contexts, sex, and species. Using experimental manipulation to produce female dominance hierarchies in the cichlid Astatotilapia burtoni, heralded as a genomic model of social dominance, we generate gene lists, and assess molecular gene modules. In the dominant female gene expression profile, we demonstrate a strong pattern of up-regulation of genes previously identified as having male-biased expression and furthermore, compare expression biases between male and female dominance phenotypes. Using a threshold-free approach to identify correlation throughout ranked gene lists, we query previously published datasets associated with maternal behavior, alternative reproductive tactics, cooperative breeding, and sex-role reversal to describe correlations among these various neural gene expression profiles associated with different instances of social dominance. These complementary approaches capitalize on the high-throughput gene expression profiling from similar behavioral phenotypes in order to address the mechanisms associated with social dominance behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzy C P Renn
- *Department of Biology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Cynthia F O'Rourke
- *Department of Biology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock blvd, Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Nadia Aubin-Horth
- Département de Biologie & Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la Médecine - Local 1242 Québec G1V 0A6, QC Canada
| | - Eleanor J Fraser
- UCSF School of Medicine, 513 Parnassus Ave, Med Sci, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
| | - Hans A Hofmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway - C0990, Austin, TX 78705, USA
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40
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Lea AJ, Vilgalys TP, Durst PAP, Tung J. Maximizing ecological and evolutionary insight in bisulfite sequencing data sets. Nat Ecol Evol 2017; 1:1074-1083. [PMID: 29046582 PMCID: PMC5656403 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0229-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genome-scale bisulfite sequencing approaches have opened the door to ecological and evolutionary studies of DNA methylation in many organisms. These approaches can be powerful. However, they introduce new methodological and statistical considerations, some of which are particularly relevant to non-model systems. Here, we highlight how these considerations influence a study's power to link methylation variation with a predictor variable of interest. Relative to current practice, we argue that sample sizes will need to increase to provide robust insights. We also provide recommendations for overcoming common challenges and an R Shiny app to aid in study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Lea
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Carl Icahn Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA.
| | - Tauras P Vilgalys
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Paul A P Durst
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jenny Tung
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, 00502, Kenya.
- Duke University Population Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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41
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Müller T, Müller C. Phenotype of a leaf beetle larva depends on host plant quality and previous test experience. Behav Processes 2017; 142:40-45. [PMID: 28552703 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic expressions of insects are strongly dependent on various external and internal factors, like diet or density and age or sex. However, environmental effects on the behavioural phenotype and repeatability are rather unexplored for holometabolous insects in their larval stage. We examined the effects of the food environment (young versus old cabbage leaves) and previous test experience on growth and behaviour of Phaedon cochleariae larvae. A more nutritious diet, i.e., young leaves, had beneficial consequences on larval growth. Contrary to findings on adults, the behaviour of larvae was neither consistent over time nor across contexts, thus larvae did not show personality. Furthermore, larval behaviour was shaped independent of the diet, pointing to a stage-dependent receptivity towards diet conditions in this species. Besides, larval activity was significantly influenced by former test experience, with naïve larvae being more active than previously tested larvae. In general, in insects memories in an olfactory or sexual behaviour context can lead to behavioural responses later in life. Mechanisms of memory-learning should be further explored in different contexts in insects. Overall, the present study reveals that growth-related traits are diet-dependent and that the activity of a holometabolous larva is shaped in dependence of its previous test experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorben Müller
- Department of Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Caroline Müller
- Department of Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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42
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Herbeck YE, Khantemirova AR, Antonov EV, Goncharova NI, Gulevich RG, Shepeleva DV, Trut LN. Expression of the DNA methyltransferase genes in silver foxes experimentally selected for domestication. RUSS J GENET+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795417040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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43
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de Haas EN, Calandreau L, Baéza E, Chartrin P, Palme R, Darmaillacq AS, Dickel L, Lumineau S, Houdelier C, Denis I, Arnould C, Meurisse M, Bertin A. Lipids in maternal diet influence yolk hormone levels and post-hatch neophobia in the domestic chick. Dev Psychobiol 2017; 59:400-409. [PMID: 28261786 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
We assessed whether the ratio of dietary n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) during egg formation engenders transgenerational maternal effects in domestic chicks. We analyzed yolk lipid and hormone concentrations, and HPA-axis activity in hens fed a control diet (high n-6/n-3 ratio) or a diet enriched in n-3 PUFAs (low n-6/n-3 ratio) for 6 consecutive weeks. Their chicks were tested for neophobia during the first week of life. We found higher corticosterone metabolites in droppings of hens fed the diet enriched in n-3 and significantly higher concentrations of yolk progesterone, androstenedione, and estradiol in their eggs compared to controls. Chicks of hens fed the n-3 enriched diet showed a lower body mass at hatch than controls and expressed higher neophobia when exposed to a novel object. These results add support to the hypothesis that the nutritional state of female birds produces variation in yolk hormone levels and engender maternal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elske N de Haas
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Laboratoire de Comportement, Neurobiologie et Adaptation, Nouzilly, France.,CNRS, UMR7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France.,Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France.,Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
| | - Ludovic Calandreau
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Laboratoire de Comportement, Neurobiologie et Adaptation, Nouzilly, France.,CNRS, UMR7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France.,Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France.,Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
| | - Elisabeth Baéza
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, Unité de Recherches Avicoles, Nouzilly, France
| | - Pascal Chartrin
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, Unité de Recherches Avicoles, Nouzilly, France
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anne-Sophie Darmaillacq
- Neuroéthologie Cognitive des Céphalopodes (NECC) Normandie Université, Université de Caen Normandie UMR 6552 CNRS - Université Rennes1 F-14032, Caen, France
| | - Ludovic Dickel
- Neuroéthologie Cognitive des Céphalopodes (NECC) Normandie Université, Université de Caen Normandie UMR 6552 CNRS - Université Rennes1 F-14032, Caen, France
| | | | | | - Isabelle Denis
- INRA, Unité de Neurobiologie de l'Olfaction (NBO, INRA-U1197), Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Cécile Arnould
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Laboratoire de Comportement, Neurobiologie et Adaptation, Nouzilly, France.,CNRS, UMR7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France.,Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France.,Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
| | - Maryse Meurisse
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Laboratoire de Comportement, Neurobiologie et Adaptation, Nouzilly, France.,CNRS, UMR7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France.,Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France.,Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
| | - Aline Bertin
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Laboratoire de Comportement, Neurobiologie et Adaptation, Nouzilly, France.,CNRS, UMR7247 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France.,Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France.,Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Nouzilly, France
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44
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Szabó B, Bakonyi G. Multigenerational and Transgenerational Side-Effects of an Insecticide on Eggs ofFolsomia candida(Collembola). POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.3161/15052249pje2017.65.1.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Szabó
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Szent István University, Páter K. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Gábor Bakonyi
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Szent István University, Páter K. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
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45
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Okhovat M, Maguire SM, Phelps SM. Methylation of avpr1a in the cortex of wild prairie voles: effects of CpG position and polymorphism. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:160646. [PMID: 28280564 PMCID: PMC5319330 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation can cause stable changes in neuronal gene expression, but we know little about its role in individual differences in the wild. In this study, we focus on the vasopressin 1a receptor (avpr1a), a gene extensively implicated in vertebrate social behaviour, and explore natural variation in DNA methylation, genetic polymorphism and neuronal gene expression among 30 wild prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Examination of CpG density across 8 kb of the locus revealed two distinct CpG islands overlapping promoter and first exon, characterized by few CpG polymorphisms. We used a targeted bisulfite sequencing approach to measure DNA methylation across approximately 3 kb of avpr1a in the retrosplenial cortex, a brain region implicated in male space use and sexual fidelity. We find dramatic variation in methylation across the avrp1a locus, with pronounced diversity near the exon-intron boundary and in a genetically variable putative enhancer within the intron. Among our wild voles, differences in cortical avpr1a expression correlate with DNA methylation in this putative enhancer, but not with the methylation status of the promoter. We also find an unusually high number of polymorphic CpG sites (polyCpGs) in this focal enhancer. One polyCpG within this enhancer (polyCpG 2170) may drive variation in expression either by disrupting transcription factor binding motifs or by changing local DNA methylation and chromatin silencing. Our results contradict some assumptions made within behavioural epigenetics, but are remarkably concordant with genome-wide studies of gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Okhovat
- Author for correspondence: M. Okhovat e-mail:
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46
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Arnaud CM, Suzumura T, Inoue E, Adams MJ, Weiss A, Inoue-Murayama M. Genes, social transmission, but not maternal effects influence responses of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to novel-object and novel-food tests. Primates 2017; 58:103-113. [PMID: 27619670 PMCID: PMC5215262 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-016-0572-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Using long-term maternal pedigree data, microsatellite analysis, and behavioral tests, we examined whether personality differences in wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) are associated with additive genetic effects, maternal influences, or belonging to a particular social group. Behaviors elicited by novel-object tests were defined by a component related to caution around novel-objects (Ob-PC1) and behaviors elicited by novel food-tests were defined by correlated components related to consummatory responses (Fo-PC1) and caution around novel foods (Fo-PC2). The repeatability of Ob-PC1 was modest and not significant; the repeatabilities of Fo-PC1 and Fo-PC2 were moderate and significant. Linear mixed effects models found that sex, age, sex × age, provisioning, trial number, date, time of day, season, and distance to the closest monkey were not related to personality. Linear mixed effects models of females older than 2 years found that high rank was associated with greater caution around novel objects. Linear models were used to determine whether sex, age, group membership, maternal kinship, or relatedness had independent effects on the personality similarity of dyads. These analyses found that pairs of macaques that lived in the same group were less similar in their caution around novel objects, more closely related pairs of macaques were more similar in their tendency to eat novel food, and that pairs of macaques in the same group were more similar in how cautious they were around novel foods. Together, these findings suggest that personality in this population of wild monkeys was driven by rank, genetic effects, and group effects, the latter possibly including the need to exploit different niches in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eiji Inoue
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Ota, Japan
| | - Mark J Adams
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alexander Weiss
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK.
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47
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Okhovat M, Maguire SM, Phelps SM. Methylation of avpr1a in the cortex of wild prairie voles: effects of CpG position and polymorphism. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017. [PMID: 28280564 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.f8d4r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation can cause stable changes in neuronal gene expression, but we know little about its role in individual differences in the wild. In this study, we focus on the vasopressin 1a receptor (avpr1a), a gene extensively implicated in vertebrate social behaviour, and explore natural variation in DNA methylation, genetic polymorphism and neuronal gene expression among 30 wild prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Examination of CpG density across 8 kb of the locus revealed two distinct CpG islands overlapping promoter and first exon, characterized by few CpG polymorphisms. We used a targeted bisulfite sequencing approach to measure DNA methylation across approximately 3 kb of avpr1a in the retrosplenial cortex, a brain region implicated in male space use and sexual fidelity. We find dramatic variation in methylation across the avrp1a locus, with pronounced diversity near the exon-intron boundary and in a genetically variable putative enhancer within the intron. Among our wild voles, differences in cortical avpr1a expression correlate with DNA methylation in this putative enhancer, but not with the methylation status of the promoter. We also find an unusually high number of polymorphic CpG sites (polyCpGs) in this focal enhancer. One polyCpG within this enhancer (polyCpG 2170) may drive variation in expression either by disrupting transcription factor binding motifs or by changing local DNA methylation and chromatin silencing. Our results contradict some assumptions made within behavioural epigenetics, but are remarkably concordant with genome-wide studies of gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Okhovat
- Department of Integrative Biology , University of Texas at Austin , Austin, TX , USA
| | - S M Maguire
- Department of Integrative Biology , University of Texas at Austin , Austin, TX , USA
| | - S M Phelps
- Department of Integrative Biology , University of Texas at Austin , Austin, TX , USA
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48
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Royauté R, Dochtermann NA. When the mean no longer matters: developmental diet affects behavioral variation but not population averages in the house cricket (Acheta domesticus). Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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49
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Gagliano M, Vyazovskiy VV, Borbély AA, Grimonprez M, Depczynski M. Learning by Association in Plants. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38427. [PMID: 27910933 PMCID: PMC5133544 DOI: 10.1038/srep38427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In complex and ever-changing environments, resources such as food are often scarce and unevenly distributed in space and time. Therefore, utilizing external cues to locate and remember high-quality sources allows more efficient foraging, thus increasing chances for survival. Associations between environmental cues and food are readily formed because of the tangible benefits they confer. While examples of the key role they play in shaping foraging behaviours are widespread in the animal world, the possibility that plants are also able to acquire learned associations to guide their foraging behaviour has never been demonstrated. Here we show that this type of learning occurs in the garden pea, Pisum sativum. By using a Y-maze task, we show that the position of a neutral cue, predicting the location of a light source, affected the direction of plant growth. This learned behaviour prevailed over innate phototropism. Notably, learning was successful only when it occurred during the subjective day, suggesting that behavioural performance is regulated by metabolic demands. Our results show that associative learning is an essential component of plant behaviour. We conclude that associative learning represents a universal adaptive mechanism shared by both animals and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gagliano
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Vladyslav V. Vyazovskiy
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander A. Borbély
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Mavra Grimonprez
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Martial Depczynski
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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50
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Cobben MM, van Oers K. Bolder Takes All and the Role of Epigenetics. A Comment on Canestrelli et al. Trends Ecol Evol 2016; 31:498-499. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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