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LeBlanc ARH, Morrell AP, Sirovica S, Al-Jawad M, Labonte D, D'Amore DC, Clemente C, Wang S, Giuliani F, McGilvery CM, Pittman M, Kaye TG, Stevenson C, Capon J, Tapley B, Spiro S, Addison O. Iron-coated Komodo dragon teeth and the complex dental enamel of carnivorous reptiles. Nat Ecol Evol 2024:10.1038/s41559-024-02477-7. [PMID: 39048730 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02477-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are the largest extant predatory lizards and their ziphodont (serrated, curved and blade-shaped) teeth make them valuable analogues for studying tooth structure, function and comparing with extinct ziphodont taxa, such as theropod dinosaurs. Like other ziphodont reptiles, V. komodoensis teeth possess only a thin coating of enamel that is nevertheless able to cope with the demands of their puncture-pull feeding. Using advanced chemical and structural imaging, we reveal that V. komodoensis teeth possess a unique adaptation for maintaining their cutting edges: orange, iron-enriched coatings on their tooth serrations and tips. Comparisons with other extant varanids and crocodylians revealed that iron sequestration is probably widespread in reptile enamels but it is most striking in V. komodoensis and closely related ziphodont species, suggesting a crucial role in supporting serrated teeth. Unfortunately, fossilization confounds our ability to consistently detect similar iron coatings in fossil teeth, including those of ziphodont dinosaurs. However, unlike V. komodoensis, some theropods possessed specialized enamel along their tooth serrations, resembling the wavy enamel found in herbivorous hadrosaurid dinosaurs. These discoveries illustrate unexpected and disparate specializations for maintaining ziphodont teeth in predatory reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R H LeBlanc
- Centre for Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Alexander P Morrell
- Centre for Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Slobodan Sirovica
- Centre for Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Centre for Oral Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - David Labonte
- Evolutionary Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Christofer Clemente
- School of Science Engineering and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Siyang Wang
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Finn Giuliani
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Michael Pittman
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas G Kaye
- Foundation for Scientific Advancement, Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
| | | | - Joe Capon
- Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK
| | | | - Simon Spiro
- Wildlife Health Services, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK
| | - Owen Addison
- Centre for Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Wilenzik IV, Barger BB, Pyron RA. Fossil-informed biogeographic analysis suggests Eurasian regionalization in crown Squamata during the early Jurassic. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17277. [PMID: 38708352 PMCID: PMC11067913 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Squamata (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians) is a Triassic lineage with an extensive and complex biogeographic history, yet no large-scale study has reconstructed the ancestral range of early squamate lineages. The fossil record indicates a broadly Pangaean distribution by the end- Cretaceous, though many lineages (e.g., Paramacellodidae, Mosasauria, Polyglyphanodontia) subsequently went extinct. Thus, the origin and occupancy of extant radiations is unclear and may have been localized within Pangaea to specific plates, with potential regionalization to distinct Laurasian and Gondwanan landmasses during the Mesozoic in some groups. Methods We used recent tectonic models to code extant and fossil squamate distributions occurring on nine discrete plates for 9,755 species, with Jurassic and Cretaceous fossil constraints from three extinct lineages. We modeled ancestral ranges for crown Squamata from an extant-only molecular phylogeny using a suite of biogeographic models accommodating different evolutionary processes and fossil-based node constraints from known Jurassic and Cretaceous localities. We hypothesized that the best-fit models would not support a full Pangaean distribution (i.e., including all areas) for the origin of crown Squamata, but would instead show regionalization to specific areas within the fragmenting supercontinent, likely in the Northern Hemisphere where most early squamate fossils have been found. Results Incorporating fossil data reconstructs a localized origin within Pangaea, with early regionalization of extant lineages to Eurasia and Laurasia, while Gondwanan regionalization did not occur until the middle Cretaceous for Alethinophidia, Scolecophidia, and some crown Gekkotan lineages. While the Mesozoic history of extant squamate biogeography can be summarized as a Eurasian origin with dispersal out of Laurasia into Gondwana, their Cenozoic history is complex with multiple events (including secondary and tertiary recolonizations) in several directions. As noted by previous authors, squamates have likely utilized over-land range expansion, land-bridge colonization, and trans-oceanic dispersal. Tropical Gondwana and Eurasia hold more ancient lineages than the Holarctic (Rhineuridae being a major exception), and some asymmetries in colonization (e.g., to North America from Eurasia during the Cenozoic through Beringia) deserve additional study. Future studies that incorporate fossil branches, rather than as node constraints, into the reconstruction can be used to explore this history further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian V. Wilenzik
- Department of Biology, George Washington University, Washington D.C., United States of America
| | - Benjamin B. Barger
- Department of Biology, George Washington University, Washington D.C., United States of America
| | - R. Alexander Pyron
- Department of Biology, George Washington University, Washington D.C., United States of America
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Junsiri W, Kamkong P, Taweethavonsawat P. First molecular detection and genetic diversity of Hepatozoon sp. (Apicomplexa) and Brugia sp. (Nematoda) in a crocodile monitor in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3526. [PMID: 38347146 PMCID: PMC10861490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The crocodile monitor (Varanus salvator) is the most common monitor lizard in Thailand. Based on habitat and food, they have the potential to transmit zoonoses, with a high possibility of infecting ectoparasites and endoparasites. Diseases that could infect crocodile monitors and be transmitted to other animals, including humans. This research aims to identify and evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Hepatozoon sp. and sheathed microfilaria in crocodile monitors. The phylogenetic analyses of Hepatozoon, based on 18S rRNA, and sheathed microfilaria, based on the COX1 gene, revealed that the Hepatozoon sp. were grouped with H. caimani, while sheathed microfilaria were grouped together with B. timori. This study provides insights into the genetic diversity and host-parasite interactions of hemoparasites in crocodile monitors in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witchuta Junsiri
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Patchana Kamkong
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Piyanan Taweethavonsawat
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Biomarkers in Animals Parasitology Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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4
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Gautam KB, Kumar A, Das A, Gupta SK. Himalayan upliftment and Shiwalik succession act as a cradle for divergence in Bengal monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis (Reptilia: Varanidae) in India. Cladistics 2023; 39:382-397. [PMID: 37200006 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12542] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The Himalayan foothills and associated environment are well-known for driving the rapid diversification of many species and the formation of biodiversity hotspots. The effects of environmental change since the Miocene have accelerated species diversification, and hence are useful for studying population genetic structure, and evolutionary relationships via genetic approaches. To date, the effects of climatic fluctuations on the biogeography of large-bodied lizards have not been assessed comprehensively. Herein, we examine the diversification of Varanus bengalensis, focusing on its genetic structure to provide insights into how landscape structure and climatic fluctuations have shaped species differentiation. We confirm the existence of two distinct lineages within V. bengalensis distributed across the Himalayan foothills and the remainder of mainland India. Divergence analyses revealed the split between the Himalayan foothills and the remainder of the mainland lineages of V. bengalensis in the mid-Pliocene ~3.06 Ma, potentially as a consequence of the Siwalik broadening and climatic fluctuations across the Himalayan foothills. The results suggest recognition of a new lineage of V. bengalensis from the Himalayan foothills as a distinctive evolutionarily significant unit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ajit Kumar
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
| | - Abhijit Das
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar Gupta
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
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5
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Gofton AW, Popa-Baez A, Takano A, Soennichsen K, Michie M, Short M, Supriyono S, Pascoe J, Cusbert S, Mulley R. Characterisation and comparative genomics of three new Varanus-associated Borrelia spp. from Indonesia and Australia. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:317. [PMID: 37670353 PMCID: PMC10481545 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05937-4] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borrelia are important disease-causing tick- and louse-borne spirochaetes than can infect a wide variety of vertebrates, including humans and reptiles. Reptile-associated (REP) Borrelia, once considered a peculiarity, are now recognised as a distinct and important evolutionary lineage, and are increasingly being discovered worldwide in association with novel hosts. Numerous novel Borrelia spp. associated with monitor lizards (Varanus spp.) have been recently identified throughout the Indo-Pacific region; however, there is a lack of genomic data on these Borrelia. METHODS We used metagenomic techniques to sequence almost complete genomes of novel Borrelia spp. from Varanus varius and Varanus giganteus from Australia, and used long- and short-read technologies to sequence the complete genomes of two strains of a novel Borrelia sp. previously isolated from ticks infesting Varanus salvator from Indonesia. We investigated intra- and interspecies genomic diversity, including plasmid diversity and relatedness, among Varanus-associated Borrelia and other available REP Borrelia and, based on 712 whole genome orthologues, produced the most complete phylogenetic analysis, to the best of our knowledge, of REP Borrelia to date. RESULTS The genomic architecture of Varanus-associated Borrelia spp. is similar to that of Borrelia spp. that cause relapsing fever (RF), and includes a highly conserved megaplasmid and numerous smaller linear and circular plasmids that lack structural consistency between species. Analysis of PF32 and PF57/62 plasmid partitioning genes indicated that REP Borrelia plasmids fall into at least six distinct plasmid families, some of which are related to previously defined Borrelia plasmid families, whereas the others appear to be unique. REP Borrelia contain immunogenic variable major proteins that are homologous to those found in Borrelia spp. that cause RF, although they are limited in copy number and variability and have low sequence identities to RF variable major proteins. Phylogenetic analyses based on single marker genes and 712 single copy orthologs also definitively demonstrated the monophyly of REP Borrelia as a unique lineage. CONCLUSIONS In this work we present four new genomes from three novel Borrelia, and thus double the number of REP Borrelia genomes publicly available. The genomic characterisation of these Borrelia clearly demonstrates their distinctiveness as species, and we propose the names Borrelia salvatorii, 'Candidatus Borrelia undatumii', and 'Candidatus Borrelia rubricentralis' for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander William Gofton
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia
| | - Angel Popa-Baez
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia
| | - Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kari Soennichsen
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Michelle Michie
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia
| | - Makenna Short
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia
| | - Supriyono Supriyono
- Department of Animal Diseases and Veterinary Health, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Jack Pascoe
- School of Agricultural and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sue Cusbert
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Robert Mulley
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
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Esquerré D, Brennan IG, Donnellan S, Keogh JS. Evolutionary models demonstrate rapid and adaptive diversification of Australo-Papuan pythons. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220360. [PMID: 36541096 PMCID: PMC9768648 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lineages may diversify when they encounter available ecological niches. Adaptive divergence by ecological opportunity often appears to follow the invasion of a new environment with open ecological space. This evolutionary process is hypothesized to explain the explosive diversification of numerous Australian vertebrate groups following the collision of the Eurasian and Australian plates 25 Mya. One of these groups is the pythons, which demonstrate their greatest phenotypic and ecological diversity in Australo-Papua (Australia and New Guinea). Here, using an updated and near complete time-calibrated phylogenomic hypothesis of the group, we show that following invasion of this region, pythons experienced a sudden burst of speciation rates coupled with multiple instances of accelerated phenotypic evolution in head and body shape and body size. These results are consistent with adaptive radiation theory with an initial rapid niche-filling phase and later slow-down approaching niche saturation. We discuss these findings in the context of other Australo-Papuan adaptive radiations and the importance of incorporating adaptive diversification systems that are not extraordinarily species-rich but ecomorphologically diverse to understand how biodiversity is generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Esquerré
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University 0200, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ian G. Brennan
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University 0200, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stephen Donnellan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - J. Scott Keogh
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University 0200, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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7
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Phylogenomic data resolve the historical biogeography and ecomorphs of Neotropical forest lizards (Squamata, Diploglossidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 175:107577. [PMID: 35835424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have been conducted on the biogeography and phylogenetic relationships of Neotropical forest lizards (Diploglossidae) because of incomplete taxon sampling, conflicting datasets, and low statistical support at phylogenetic nodes. Here, we enhance a recent nine-gene dataset with a genomic dataset of 3,232 loci and 642,775 aligned base pairs. The resulting phylogeny includes 30 diploglossid species, 10 of the 11 genera, and the three subfamilies. It shows significant support for all supra-specific taxa in either maximum likelihood or Bayesian analyses or both. With this well-supported phylogeny, we further investigate the historical biogeography of the group and how diploglossids reached the Caribbean islands. Our analyses indicate that Antillean diploglossid lizards originated from at least two overwater dispersals from South America. Our tests for the strength of convergent evolution between morphologically similar taxa support the recognition of a soil and a tree ecomorph. In addition, we propose grass, ground, rock, and swamp ecomorphs for species in this family based on ecological and morphological data and analyses.
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8
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Pavón-Vázquez CJ, Esquerré D, Fitch AJ, Maryan B, Doughty P, Donnellan SC, Scott Keogh J. Between a rock and a dry place: phylogenomics, biogeography, and systematics of ridge-tailed monitors (Squamata: Varanidae: Varanus acanthurus complex). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 173:107516. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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9
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Dong L, Wang YQ, Zhao Q, Vasilyan D, Wang Y, Evans SE. A new stem-varanid lizard (Reptilia, Squamata) from the early Eocene of China. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210041. [PMID: 35125002 PMCID: PMC8819366 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) are today distributed across Asia, Africa and Australasia and represent one of the most recognizable and successful lizard lineages. They include charismatic living species like the Komodo dragon of Indonesia and the even larger extinct Varanus prisca (Megalania) of Australia. The fossil record suggests that living varanids had their origins in a diverse assemblage of stem (varaniform) species known from the Late Cretaceous of China and Mongolia. However, determining the biogeographic origins of crown-varanids has proved problematic, with Asia, Africa and Australia each being proposed. The problem is complicated by the fragmentary nature of many attributed specimens, and the fact that the most widely accepted, and most complete, fossil of a stem-varanid, that of Saniwa ensidens, is from North America. In this paper, we describe a well-preserved skull and skeleton of a new genus of stem-varanid from the Eocene of China. Phylogenetic analysis places the new genus as the sister taxon of Varanus, suggesting that the transition from Cretaceous varaniform lizards to Varanus occurred in East Asia before the origin and dispersal of Varanus to other regions. The discovery of the new specimen thus fills an important gap in the fossil record of monitor lizards. The similar lengths of the fore- and hindlimbs in this new taxon are unusual among the total group Varanidae and suggest it may have had a different lifestyle, at least from the contemporaneous North American S. ensidens. This article is part of the theme issue 'The impact of Chinese palaeontology on evolutionary research'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Dong
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Davit Vasilyan
- JURASSICA Museum, Porrentruy, Switzerland.,Department of the Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Susan E Evans
- Centre for Integrative Anatomy, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
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Phylogenomics and historical biogeography of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Nomada (Hymenoptera: Apidae) using ultraconserved elements. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 170:107453. [PMID: 35341964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The genus Nomada Scopoli (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is the largest genus of brood parasitic bees with nearly 800 species found across the globe and in nearly all biogeographic realms except Antarctica. There is no previous molecular phylogeny focused on Nomada despite their high species abundance nor is there an existing comprehensive biogeography for the genus. Using ultraconserved element (UCE) phylogenomic data, we constructed the first molecular phylogeny for the genus Nomada and tested the monophyly of 16 morphologically established species groups. We also estimated divergence dates using fossil calibration points and inferred the origin and of this genus around the globe. Our phylogeny recovered 14 of the 16 previously established species groups as monophyletic. The superba and ruficornis groups, however, were recovered as non-monophyletic and need to be re-evaluated using morphology. Divergence dating and historic biogeographic analyses performed on the phylogenetic reconstruction indicates that Nomada most likely originated in the Holarctic ∼65 Mya. Geodispersal into the southern hemisphere occurred three times; once during the Eocene into the Afrotropics, once during the Oligocene into the Neotropics, and once during the Miocene into Australasia. Geodispersal across the Holarctic was most frequent and occurred repeatedly throughout the Cenozoic era, using the De Geer, Thulean, and the Bering Land Bridges. This is the first instance of a bee using both the Thulean and De Geer land bridges and has implications of how early bee species dispersed throughout the Palearctic in the late Cretaceous and early Paleogene.
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Smith KT, Bhullar BAS, Bloch JI. New Diminutive Eocene Lizard Reveals High K-Pg Survivorship and Taxonomic Diversity of Stem Xenosaurs in North America. AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES 2022. [DOI: 10.1206/3986.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Krister T. Smith
- Department of Messel Research and Mammalogy, Senckenberg Research Institute, and Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute for Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bhart-Anjan S. Bhullar
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
| | - Jonathan I. Bloch
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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Joshi M, Das SK, Sarma K. Taxonomy, population status and ecology of Indian desert monitor lizard Varanus griseus koniecznyi Mertens 1954 in the Thar desert of Rajasthan. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:4542-4552. [PMID: 34354440 PMCID: PMC8324945 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.04.055] [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: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Among monitor lizards of the family Varanidae, Indian desert monitor lizard Varanus griseus koniecznyi Mertens 1954 is one of the lesser-known species globally and due to lack of data on this species it is so far not evaluated by IUCN and excluded from the latest assessment of monitor lizards of Southeast Asia and Indo-Australian Archipelago. The present study was undertaken from January 2013 to June 2017 to fill this gap during which taxonomic evaluation along with an assessment of population and ecology of this species was carried out in the Thar desert of Rajasthan (TDR). The study brought into knowledge many morphological variations along with intraspecific variations of scale microstructure of this lizard. The population density was found to be highest in the Jaisalmer (0.102/ha) district of western Rajasthan, followed by Bikaner (0.08/ha) and Sikar (0.077/ha) districts. The overall population was quite low (0.068/ha) in the area. The study further revealed the species is habitat specialist and lives in a narrow range of habitats and microhabitats, and hence, the species may not adapt to the rapidly changing environment in the TDR. Their activity was found to be highest between 9ndash;12 hrs followed by 12–15 hrs and foraging was found to be their predominant activity followed by resting and feeding. In the absence of any detailed study on this species, the study points towards immediate conservation efforts for the species in its current distribution. Baseline data generated through this study will no doubt help to safeguard the species in the TDR and further research on this species in the future.
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Not Goanna Get Me: Mutations in the Savannah Monitor Lizard (Varanus exanthematicus) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Confer Reduced Susceptibility to Sympatric Cobra Venoms. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:1116-1122. [PMID: 33743133 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00351-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Antagonistic coevolutionary relationships provide intense selection pressure which drive changes in the genotype. Predator-prey interactions have caused some venomous snakes and their predators/prey to evolve α-neurotoxin resistance through changes at the orthosteric site of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The presence of negatively charged amino acids at orthosteric site positions 191 and 195 is the ancestral state. These negatively charged amino acids have exerted a selection pressure for snake venom α-neurotoxins to evolve with strong positive charges on their molecular surface, with the opposite-charge attraction facilitating the binding by the neurotoxins. We aimed to test the effects of a series of mutations whereby one or both negatively charged amino acids are replaced by uncharged residues to ascertain if this was a novel form of reduced venom susceptibility in the varanid species. Using a biolayer interferometry assay, we tested the relative binding of α-neurotoxin-rich snake venoms against the orthosteric sites of V. giganteus (Perentie) and V. komodoensis (Komodo dragon), which both possess the negatively charged aspartic acid at position 191; V. mertensi (Merten's water monitor), which also has aspartic acid at position 195; and Varanus exanthematicus (savannah monitor), which lacks negatively charged amino acids at both positions 191 and 195. The orthosteric sites of these species are otherwise identical. In order to complete the structure-function relationship examination, we also tested a mutant version with the negatively charged aspartic acid at both positions 191 and 195. It was demonstrated that the presence of a negatively charged amino acid at either position 191 or 195 is crucial for the successful binding of snake venom α-neurotoxins, with V. giganteus, V. komodoensis and V. mertensi all strongly bound. The mutant version containing a negatively charged amino acid at both positions was bound equipotently to the native forms of V. giganteus, V. komodoensis and V. mertensi. Thus, the presence of a negatively charged amino acid at both positions does not increase binding affinity. In contrast, Varanus exanthematicus, lacking a negatively charged amino acid at either position, displayed dramatically less sensitivity to neurotoxins compared with the other species. V. exanthematicus is distinguished from the other species examined in this study by being a small, terrestrial, slow-moving species living sympatrically with a high density of large cobra species that have neurotoxin-rich venoms. Thus, this vulnerable prey item seems to have evolved a novel form of reduced susceptibility to snake venom neurotoxins under a strong selection pressures from these neurotoxic predators. These results therefore contribute to the body of knowledge of predator/prey chemical arm races while providing novel insights into the structure-activity relationships of the orthosteric site of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit.
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Pavón-Vázquez CJ, Brennan IG, Keogh JS. A Comprehensive Approach to Detect Hybridization Sheds Light on the Evolution of Earth's Largest Lizards. Syst Biol 2021; 70:877-890. [PMID: 33512509 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa102] [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: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization between species occurs more frequently in vertebrates than traditionally thought but distinguishing ancient hybridization from other phenomena that generate similar evolutionary patterns remains challenging. Here, we used a comprehensive workflow to discover evidence of ancient hybridization between the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) from Indonesia and a common ancestor of an Australian group of monitor lizards known colloquially as sand monitors. Our data comprises >300 nuclear loci, mitochondrial genomes, phenotypic data, fossil and contemporary records, and past/present climatic data. We show that the four sand monitor species share more nuclear alleles with V. komodoensis than expected given a bifurcating phylogeny, likely as a result of hybridization between the latter species and a common ancestor of sand monitors. Sand monitors display phenotypes that are intermediate between their closest relatives and V. komodoensis. Biogeographic analyses suggest that V. komodoensis and ancestral sand monitors co-occurred in northern Australia. In agreement with the fossil record, this provides further evidence that the Komodo dragon once inhabited the Australian continent. Our study shows how different sources of evidence can be used to thoroughly characterize evolutionary histories that deviate from a treelike pattern, that hybridization can have long-lasting effects on phenotypes and that detecting hybridization can improve our understanding of evolutionary and biogeographic patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Pavón-Vázquez
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Ian G Brennan
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - J Scott Keogh
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
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15
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Brennan IG, Lemmon AR, Lemmon EM, Portik DM, Weijola V, Welton L, Donnellan SC, Keogh JS. Phylogenomics of Monitor Lizards and the Role of Competition in Dictating Body Size Disparity. Syst Biol 2020; 70:120-132. [PMID: 32521014 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Organismal interactions drive the accumulation of diversity by influencing species ranges, morphology, and behavior. Interactions vary from agonistic to cooperative and should result in predictable patterns in trait and range evolution. However, despite a conceptual understanding of these processes, they have been difficult to model, particularly on macroevolutionary timescales and across broad geographic spaces. Here, we investigate the influence of biotic interactions on trait evolution and community assembly in monitor lizards (Varanus). Monitors are an iconic radiation with a cosmopolitan distribution and the greatest size disparity of any living terrestrial vertebrate genus. Between the colossal Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis and the smallest Australian dwarf goannas, Varanus length and mass vary by multiple orders of magnitude. To test the hypothesis that size variation in this genus was driven by character displacement, we extended existing phylogenetic comparative methods which consider lineage interactions to account for dynamic biogeographic history and apply these methods to Australian monitors and marsupial predators. Incorporating both exon-capture molecular and morphological data sets we use a combined evidence approach to estimate the relationships among living and extinct varaniform lizards. Our results suggest that communities of Australian Varanus show high functional diversity as a result of continent-wide interspecific competition among monitors but not with faunivorous marsupials. We demonstrate that patterns of trait evolution resulting from character displacement on continental scales are recoverable from comparative data and highlight that these macroevolutionary patterns may develop in parallel across widely distributed sympatric groups.[Character displacement; comparative methods; phylogenetics; trait evolution; Varanus.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Brennan
- Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Alan R Lemmon
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Emily Moriarty Lemmon
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Daniel M Portik
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Arizona, Biosciences West Rm 310, 1041 E. Lowell St, Tucson, AZ 85745 USA
| | - Valter Weijola
- Zoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland
| | - Luke Welton
- Univeristy of Kansas Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Stephen C Donnellan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.,South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - J Scott Keogh
- Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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16
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Georgalis GL, Abdel Gawad MK, Hassan SM, El-Barkooky AN, Hamdan MA. Oldest co-occurrence of Varanus and Python from Africa-first record of squamates from the early Miocene of Moghra Formation, Western Desert, Egypt. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9092. [PMID: 32509449 PMCID: PMC7255343 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lizard and snake remains from the early Miocene (Burdigalian) of the Moghra Formation, Egypt, are described herein. This material comprises the first fossil remains of squamates recovered from the otherwise rich and well known vertebrate assemblage of Moghra. The material pertains to two different genera, the varanid lizard Varanus and the pythonid snake Python and adds to the so far rather poorly known squamate fossil record from Africa. On the basis of the new remains, Moghra marks the oldest so far described co-occurrence of Varanus and Python in the African continent. The close sympatry of these two genera in the African fossil record is thoroughly analyzed and discussed, a co-existence, which is still widespread in the extant herpetofauna of the continent. Situated rather close to the so called "Levantine Corridor" and dated at the Burdigalian, practically when Afro-Arabia collided with Eurasia, the Moghra squamate assemblage offers the potential of important insights in the biogeography and dispersal events of vertebrate groups during the early Miocene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Safiya M. Hassan
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed A. Hamdan
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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17
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Esquerré D, Donnellan S, Brennan IG, Lemmon AR, Moriarty Lemmon E, Zaher H, Grazziotin FG, Keogh JS. Phylogenomics, Biogeography, and Morphometrics Reveal Rapid Phenotypic Evolution in Pythons After Crossing Wallace’s Line. Syst Biol 2020; 69:1039-1051. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Ecological opportunities can be provided to organisms that cross stringent biogeographic barriers towards environments with new ecological niches. Wallace’s and Lyddeker’s lines are arguably the most famous biogeographic barriers, separating the Asian and Australo-Papuan biotas. One of the most ecomorphologically diverse groups of reptiles, the pythons, is distributed across these lines, and are remarkably more diverse in phenotype and ecology east of Lydekker’s line in Australo-Papua. We used an anchored hybrid enrichment approach, with near complete taxon sampling, to extract mitochondrial genomes and 376 nuclear loci to resolve and date their phylogenetic history. Biogeographic reconstruction demonstrates that they originated in Asia around 38-45 Ma and then invaded Australo-Papua around 23 Ma. Australo-Papuan pythons display a sizeable expansion in morphological space, with shifts towards numerous new adaptive optima in head and body shape, coupled with the evolution of new micro-habitat preferences. We provide an updated taxonomy of pythons and our study also demonstrates how ecological opportunity following colonization of novel environments can promote morphological diversification in a formerly ecomorphologically conservative group. [Adaptive radiation; anchored hybrid enrichment; biogeography; morphometrics; snakes.]
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Esquerré
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Stephen Donnellan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Ian G Brennan
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Alan R Lemmon
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, 400 Dirac Science Library Tallahassee, FL 32306-4120, United States
| | - Emily Moriarty Lemmon
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, PO Box 3064295, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, United States
| | - Hussam Zaher
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Nazaré 481, CEP 04263-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- CR2P – Centre de Recherche em Paléontologie – MNHN – Sorbonne Université – CNRS, 8 rue Buffon, CP 38, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Felipe G Grazziotin
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - J Scott Keogh
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
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18
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Zhu XM, Du Y, Qu YF, Li H, Gao JF, Lin CX, Ji X, Lin LH. The geographical diversification in varanid lizards: the role of mainland versus island in driving species evolution. Curr Zool 2020; 66:165-171. [PMID: 32226443 PMCID: PMC7083093 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa002] [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: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitor lizards (Varanidae) inhabit both the mainland and islands of all geological types and have diversified into an exceptionally wide range of body sizes, thus providing an ideal model for examining the role of mainland versus island in driving species evolution. Here we use phylogenetic comparative methods to examine whether a link exists between body size-driven diversification and body size-frequency distributions in varanid lizards and to test the hypothesis that island lizards differ from mainland species in evolutionary processes, body size, and life-history traits (offspring number and size). We predict that: 1) since body size drives rapid diversification in groups, a link exists between body size-driven diversification and body size-frequency distributions; 2) because of various environments on island, island species will have higher speciation, extinction, and dispersal rates, compared with mainland species; 3) as a response to stronger intraspecific competition, island species will maximize individual ability associated with body size to outcompete closely-related species, and island species will produce smaller clutches of larger eggs to increase offspring quality. Our results confirm that the joint effect of differential macroevolutionary rates shapes the species richness pattern of varanid lizards. There is a link between body size-driven diversification and body size-frequency distributions, and the speciation rate is maximized at medium body sizes. Island species will have higher speciation, equal extinction, and higher dispersal rates compared with mainland species. Smaller clutch size and larger hatchling in the island than in mainland species indicate that offspring quality is more valuable than offspring quantity for island varanids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia-Ming Zhu
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yu Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Hainan Key Laboratory for Herpetological Research, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya, 572022, China
| | - Yan-Fu Qu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hong Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gao
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Chi-Xian Lin
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Herpetological Research, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya, 572022, China
| | - Xiang Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Long-Hui Lin
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
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19
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Skipwith PL, Bi K, Oliver PM. Relicts and radiations: Phylogenomics of an Australasian lizard clade with east Gondwanan origins (Gekkota: Diplodactyloidea). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 140:106589. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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20
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Iannucci A, Altmanová M, Ciofi C, Ferguson-Smith M, Milan M, Pereira JC, Pether J, Rehák I, Rovatsos M, Stanyon R, Velenský P, Ráb P, Kratochvíl L, Johnson Pokorná M. Conserved sex chromosomes and karyotype evolution in monitor lizards (Varanidae). Heredity (Edinb) 2019; 123:215-227. [PMID: 30670841 PMCID: PMC6781170 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-018-0179-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their long history with the basal split dating back to the Eocene, all species of monitor lizards (family Varanidae) studied so far share the same chromosome number of 2n = 40. However, there are differences in the morphology of the macrochromosome pairs 5-8. Further, sex determination, which revealed ZZ/ZW sex microchromosomes, was studied only in a few varanid species and only with techniques that did not test their homology. The aim of this study was to (i) test if cryptic interchromosomal rearrangements of larger chromosomal blocks occurred during the karyotype evolution of this group, (ii) contribute to the reconstruction of the varanid ancestral karyotype, and (iii) test homology of sex chromosomes among varanids. We investigated these issues by hybridizing flow sorted chromosome paints from Varanus komodoensis to metaphases of nine species of monitor lizards. The results show that differences in the morphology of the chromosome pairs 5-8 can be attributed to intrachromosomal rearrangements, which led to transitions between acrocentric and metacentric chromosomes in both directions. We also documented the first case of spontaneous triploidy among varanids in Varanus albigularis. The triploid individual was fully grown, which demonstrates that polyploidization is compatible with life in this lineage. We found that the W chromosome differs between species in size and heterochromatin content. The varanid Z chromosome is clearly conserved in all the analyzed species. Varanids, in addition to iguanas, caenophidian snakes, and lacertid lizards, are another squamate group with highly conserved sex chromosomes over a long evolutionary time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Iannucci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Marie Altmanová
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Claudio Ciofi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Malcolm Ferguson-Smith
- Cambridge Resource Centre for Comparative Genomics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Milan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Jorge Claudio Pereira
- Cambridge Resource Centre for Comparative Genomics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - James Pether
- Reptilandia Park, Galdar, 35460, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ivan Rehák
- Prague Zoological Garden, U Trojského zámku 120/3, 171 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michail Rovatsos
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Roscoe Stanyon
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Petr Velenský
- Prague Zoological Garden, U Trojského zámku 120/3, 171 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Ráb
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Kratochvíl
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Martina Johnson Pokorná
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21, Liběchov, Czech Republic
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21
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Lind AL, Lai YYY, Mostovoy Y, Holloway AK, Iannucci A, Mak ACY, Fondi M, Orlandini V, Eckalbar WL, Milan M, Rovatsos M, Kichigin IG, Makunin AI, Johnson Pokorná M, Altmanová M, Trifonov VA, Schijlen E, Kratochvíl L, Fani R, Velenský P, Rehák I, Patarnello T, Jessop TS, Hicks JW, Ryder OA, Mendelson JR, Ciofi C, Kwok PY, Pollard KS, Bruneau BG. Genome of the Komodo dragon reveals adaptations in the cardiovascular and chemosensory systems of monitor lizards. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 3:1241-1252. [PMID: 31358948 PMCID: PMC6668926 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-0945-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Monitor lizards are unique among ectothermic reptiles in that they have high aerobic capacity and distinctive cardiovascular physiology resembling that of endothermic mammals. Here, we sequence the genome of the Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis, the largest extant monitor lizard, and generate a high-resolution de novo chromosome-assigned genome assembly for V. komodoensis using a hybrid approach of long-range sequencing and single-molecule optical mapping. Comparing the genome of V. komodoensis with those of related species, we find evidence of positive selection in pathways related to energy metabolism, cardiovascular homoeostasis, and haemostasis. We also show species-specific expansions of a chemoreceptor gene family related to pheromone and kairomone sensing in V. komodoensis and other lizard lineages. Together, these evolutionary signatures of adaptation reveal the genetic underpinnings of the unique Komodo dragon sensory and cardiovascular systems, and suggest that selective pressure altered haemostasis genes to help Komodo dragons evade the anticoagulant effects of their own saliva. The Komodo dragon genome is an important resource for understanding the biology of monitor lizards and reptiles worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yvonne Y Y Lai
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yulia Mostovoy
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Alessio Iannucci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Angel C Y Mak
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marco Fondi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Valerio Orlandini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Walter L Eckalbar
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Massimo Milan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Michail Rovatsos
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Ilya G Kichigin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alex I Makunin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Martina Johnson Pokorná
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Altmanová
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | | | - Elio Schijlen
- B.U. Bioscience, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lukáš Kratochvíl
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Renato Fani
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | - Ivan Rehák
- Prague Zoological Garden, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomaso Patarnello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Tim S Jessop
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - James W Hicks
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Oliver A Ryder
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo, Escondido, CA, USA
| | - Joseph R Mendelson
- Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Claudio Ciofi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Pui-Yan Kwok
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katherine S Pollard
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Institute for Computational Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Chan-Zuckerberg BioHub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Benoit G Bruneau
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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22
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Weijola V, Vahtera V, Lindqvist C, Kraus F. A molecular phylogeny for the Pacific monitor lizards (Varanus subgenus Euprepiosaurus) reveals a recent and rapid radiation with high levels of cryptic diversity. Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We provide a geographically well-sampled, time-calibrated molecular phylogeny for the Pacific monitor lizards (Varanus: subgenus Euprepiosaurus) based on ND4 and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA sequences. Three well-supported clades, or species groups, are retrieved: the Varanus doreanus Group, the V. jobiensis Group and the V. indicus Group. The subgenus is estimated to have originated in the Mid-Miocene, but extant lineage diversification dates from the Late Miocene and Pliocene. A rapid and widespread radiation of the V. indicus Group into the South-West Pacific islands has occurred in the Pleistocene, but colonization onto these islands did not occur in a linear, stepping-stone fashion. Genetically distinct populations – by tradition classified as V. indicus, but seemingly representing distinct species – occur scattered on Tanimbar, several of the Solomon Islands, the Admiralty Islands, the Louisiade Archipelago, Palau and Guam. Our analyses indicate that Varanus jobiensis is a species complex with several divergent lineages that started to separate in the Pliocene and continued in the Pleistocene, the former coinciding with the uplift of the Central Dividing Range on New Guinea. We find that sympatry among species of Euprepiosaurus has not occurred until divergence times of 4.7–5.8 Myr have accrued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Weijola
- Zoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Varpu Vahtera
- Zoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Finland
| | | | - Fred Kraus
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Dobson JS, Zdenek CN, Hay C, Violette A, Fourmy R, Cochran C, Fry BG. Varanid Lizard Venoms Disrupt the Clotting Ability of Human Fibrinogen through Destructive Cleavage. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E255. [PMID: 31067768 PMCID: PMC6563220 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional activities of Anguimorpha lizard venoms have received less attention compared to serpent lineages. Bite victims of varanid lizards often report persistent bleeding exceeding that expected for the mechanical damage of the bite. Research to date has identified the blockage of platelet aggregation as one bleeding-inducing activity, and destructive cleavage of fibrinogen as another. However, the ability of the venoms to prevent clot formation has not been directly investigated. Using a thromboelastograph (TEG5000), clot strength was measured after incubating human fibrinogen with Heloderma and Varanus lizard venoms. Clot strengths were found to be highly variable, with the most potent effects produced by incubation with Varanus venoms from the Odatria and Euprepriosaurus clades. The most fibrinogenolytically active venoms belonged to arboreal species and therefore prey escape potential is likely a strong evolutionary selection pressure. The results are also consistent with reports of profusive bleeding from bites from other notably fibrinogenolytic species, such as V. giganteus. Our results provide evidence in favour of the predatory role of venom in varanid lizards, thus shedding light on the evolution of venom in reptiles and revealing potential new sources of bioactive molecules useful as lead compounds in drug design and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Dobson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Christina N Zdenek
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Chris Hay
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Aude Violette
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, 7911 Montroeul-au-bois, Belgium.
| | - Rudy Fourmy
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, 7911 Montroeul-au-bois, Belgium.
| | - Chip Cochran
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Gray JA, Hutchinson MN, Jones ME. Exceptional Disparity in Australian Agamid Lizards is a Possible Result of Arrival into Vacant Niche. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 302:1536-1543. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaimi A. Gray
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Mark N. Hutchinson
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia Australia
- South Australian Museum Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Marc E.H. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia Australia
- South Australian Museum Adelaide South Australia Australia
- Department of Earth Sciences The Natural History Museum London UK
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25
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Lavin BR, Girman DJ. Phylogenetic relationships and divergence dating in the Glass Lizards (Anguinae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 133:128-140. [PMID: 30584918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Glass Lizards are a subfamily (Anguinae) of Anguid Lizards with an elongated limbless body plan that occur throughout the Northern Hemisphere primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia, but also have a presence in North Africa and Indonesia. We used twenty-five nuclear loci (15,191 bp) and 2090 bp of the mtDNA genome to generate a phylogeny containing all known species groups to explore species relationships within the group as well as divergence dating. We also examined the group in the context of a coalescent species tree analysis and species delimitation. All major lineages were found to be monophyletic with potential cryptic diversity in some. The Anguinae first appeared in the Eocene and most lineages were present by the beginning of the Miocene. The Anguinae originated in Europe from an Anguidae ancestor that crossed the Thulean land bridge, spreading to Asia after the drying of the Turgai Sea, then across Beringia as the climate permitted. A species tree analyses found support for the major Anguinae lineages and species delimitation supported accepted species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Lavin
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA.
| | - Derek J Girman
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA.
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Abstract
Because the musculoskeletal anatomy of the trunk is the framework for the behaviors of locomotion, ventilation, and body support in lepidosaurs, comparative study of trunk anatomy in this group is critical for unraveling the selective pressures leading to extant diversity in axial form and function among vertebrates. This work uses gross dissection and computed tomography to describe the muscular and skeletal anatomy of the trunk of varanid lizards (Varanidae, Anguimorpha). Gross muscle dissections were conducted to investigate the axial muscular anatomy of Varanus exanthematicus, Varanus giganteus, Varanus rosenbergi, and Varanus panoptes. Computed tomography scans of these and additional varanid lizards from the Varanus and Odatria subgenera were conducted to investigate rib and vertebral number and gross morphology. The number of vertebrae differs between species, with 27-35 presacral and 47-137 postsacral vertebrae. Although the number of floating and abdominal ribs in varanids is variable, most species examined have three to four cervical ribs and three true ribs. Attachment and insertion points of the epaxial and hypaxial musculature are detailed. The body wall has four main hypaxial layers, from superficial to deep: oliquus externus, intercostalis externi, intercostalis internii, and transversus. Varanids differ from other investigated lepidosaurs in having supracostalis dorsus brevis (epaxial) and levator costae (hypaxial), which independently connect each rib to the vertebral column. Although more basic muscle descriptions of the body wall in reptiles are needed, comparisons with the condition in the green iguana (Iguana iguana) can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Cieri
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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27
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D'Amore DC, Clulow S, Doody JS, Rhind D, McHenry CR. Claw morphometrics in monitor lizards: Variable substrate and habitat use correlate to shape diversity within a predator guild. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:6766-6778. [PMID: 30038773 PMCID: PMC6053582 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies investigate morphology in the context of habitat, and lizards have received particular attention. Substrate usage is often reflected in the morphology of characters associated with locomotion, and, as a result, claws have become well-studied ecomorphological traits linking the two. The Kimberley predator guild of Western Australia consists of 10 sympatric varanid species. The purpose of this study was to quantify claw size and shape in the guild using geometric morphometrics, and determine whether these features correlated with substrate use and habitat. Each species was assigned a Habitat/substrate group based on the substrate their claws interact with in their respective habitat. Claw morphometrics were derived for both wild caught and preserved specimens from museum collections, using a 2D semilandmark analysis. Claw shape significantly separated based on Habitat/substrate group. Varanus gouldii and Varanus panoptes claws were associated with sprinting and extensive digging. Varanus mertensi claws were for shallow excavation. The remaining species' claws reflected specialization for some form of climbing, and differed based on substrate compliance. Varanus glauerti was best adapted for climbing rough sandstone, whereas Varanus scalaris and Varanus tristis had claws ideal for puncturing wood. Phylogenetic signal also significantly influenced claw shape, with Habitat/substrate group limited to certain clades. Positive size allometry allowed for claws to cope with mass increases, and shape allometry reflected a potential size limit on climbing. Claw morphology may facilitate niche separation within this trophic guild, especially when considered with body size. As these varanids are generalist predators, morphological traits associated with locomotion may be more reliable candidates for detecting niche partitioning than those associated directly with diet.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Clulow
- School of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
- Department of Biological SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - J. Sean Doody
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of South Florida– St. PetersburgSt. PetersburgFlorida
| | - David Rhind
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVic.Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVic.Australia
| | - Colin R. McHenry
- School of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVic.Australia
- School of EngineeringUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
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Title PO, Rabosky DL. Do Macrophylogenies Yield Stable Macroevolutionary Inferences? An Example from Squamate Reptiles. Syst Biol 2018; 66:843-856. [PMID: 27821703 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syw102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in the generation, retrieval, and analysis of phylogenetic data have enabled researchers to create phylogenies that contain many thousands of taxa. These "macrophylogenies"-large trees that typically derive from megaphylogeny, supermatrix, or supertree approaches-provide researchers with an unprecedented ability to conduct evolutionary analyses across broad phylogenetic scales. Many studies have now used these phylogenies to explore the dynamics of speciation, extinction, and phenotypic evolution across large swaths of the tree of life. These trees are characterized by substantial phylogenetic uncertainty on multiple levels, and the stability of macroevolutionary inferences from these data sets has not been rigorously explored. As a case study, we tested whether five recently published phylogenies for squamate reptiles-each consisting of more than 4000 species-yield congruent inferences about the processes that underlie variation in species richness across replicate evolutionary radiations of Australian snakes and lizards. We find discordance across the five focal phylogenies with respect to clade age and several diversification rate metrics, and in the effects of clade age on species richness. We also find that crown clade ages reported in the literature on these Australian groups are in conflict with all of the large phylogenies examined. Macrophylogenies offer an unprecedented opportunity to address evolutionary and ecological questions at broad phylogenetic scales, but accurately representing the uncertainty that is inherent to such analyses remains a critical challenge to our field. [Australia; macroevolution; macrophylogeny; squamates; time calibration.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal O Title
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Daniel L Rabosky
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Phylogenetic evidence for mid-Cenozoic turnover of a diverse continental biota. Nat Ecol Evol 2017; 1:1896-1902. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0355-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Prakhongcheep O, Thapana W, Suntronpong A, Singchat W, Pattanatanang K, Phatcharakullawarawat R, Muangmai N, Peyachoknagul S, Matsubara K, Ezaz T, Srikulnath K. Lack of satellite DNA species-specific homogenization and relationship to chromosomal rearrangements in monitor lizards (Varanidae, Squamata). BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:193. [PMID: 28814266 PMCID: PMC5559828 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-1044-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Satellite DNAs (stDNAs) are highly repeated sequences that constitute large portions of any genome. The evolutionary dynamics of stDNA (e.g. copy number, nucleotide sequence, location) can, therefore, provide an insight into genome organization and evolution. We investigated the evolutionary origin of VSAREP stDNA in 17 monitor lizards (seven Asian, five Australian, and five African) at molecular and cytogenetic level. RESULTS Results revealed that VSAREP is conserved in the genome of Asian and Australian varanids, but not in African varanids, suggesting that these sequences are either differentiated or lost in the African varanids. Phylogenetic and arrangement network analyses revealed the existence of at least four VSAREP subfamilies. The similarity of each sequence unit within the same VSAREP subfamily from different species was higher than those of other VSAREP subfamilies belonging to the same species. Additionally, all VSAREP subfamilies isolated from the three Australian species (Varanus rosenbergi, V. gouldii, and V. acanthurus) were co-localized near the centromeric or pericentromeric regions of the macrochromosomes, except for chromosomes 3 and 4 in each Australian varanid. However, their chromosomal arrangements were different among species. CONCLUSIONS The VSAREP stDNA family lack homogenized species-specific nucleotide positions in varanid lineage. Most VSAREP sequences were shared among varanids within the four VSAREP subfamilies. This suggests that nucleotide substitutions in each varanid species accumulated more slowly than homogenization rates in each VSAREP subfamily, resulting in non-species-specific evolution of stDNA profiles. Moreover, changes in location of VSAREP stDNA in each Australian varanid suggests a correlation with chromosomal rearrangements, leading to karyotypic differences among these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornjira Prakhongcheep
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Consortium - Kasetsart University (ABG - KU), 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University (CASTNAR, NRU-KU), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Watcharaporn Thapana
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Consortium - Kasetsart University (ABG - KU), 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University (CASTNAR, NRU-KU), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Aorarat Suntronpong
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Consortium - Kasetsart University (ABG - KU), 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Worapong Singchat
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Consortium - Kasetsart University (ABG - KU), 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Khampee Pattanatanang
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Real Zoo, The Sky Shopping Center, Ayutthaya, 13210, Thailand
| | | | - Narongrit Muangmai
- Department of Fishery Biology, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Surin Peyachoknagul
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University (CASTNAR, NRU-KU), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Kazumi Matsubara
- Wildlife Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Tariq Ezaz
- Wildlife Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Kornsorn Srikulnath
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand.
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Consortium - Kasetsart University (ABG - KU), 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand.
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University (CASTNAR, NRU-KU), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand.
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Koludarov I, Jackson TN, Brouw BOD, Dobson J, Dashevsky D, Arbuckle K, Clemente CJ, Stockdale EJ, Cochran C, Debono J, Stephens C, Panagides N, Li B, Manchadi MLR, Violette A, Fourmy R, Hendrikx I, Nouwens A, Clements J, Martelli P, Kwok HF, Fry BG. Enter the Dragon: The Dynamic and Multifunctional Evolution of Anguimorpha Lizard Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E242. [PMID: 28783084 PMCID: PMC5577576 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9080242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
While snake venoms have been the subject of intense study, comparatively little work has been done on lizard venoms. In this study, we have examined the structural and functional diversification of anguimorph lizard venoms and associated toxins, and related these results to dentition and predatory ecology. Venom composition was shown to be highly variable across the 20 species of Heloderma, Lanthanotus, and Varanus included in our study. While kallikrein enzymes were ubiquitous, they were also a particularly multifunctional toxin type, with differential activities on enzyme substrates and also ability to degrade alpha or beta chains of fibrinogen that reflects structural variability. Examination of other toxin types also revealed similar variability in their presence and activity levels. The high level of venom chemistry variation in varanid lizards compared to that of helodermatid lizards suggests that venom may be subject to different selection pressures in these two families. These results not only contribute to our understanding of venom evolution but also reveal anguimorph lizard venoms to be rich sources of novel bioactive molecules with potential as drug design and development lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Koludarov
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Timothy Nw Jackson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
- Australian Venom Research Unit, School of Biomedical Sciences, Level 2 Medical Building, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Bianca Op den Brouw
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - James Dobson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Daniel Dashevsky
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Kevin Arbuckle
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Christofer J Clemente
- University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science and Engineering, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4558, Australia.
| | | | - Chip Cochran
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
| | - Jordan Debono
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Carson Stephens
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - Nadya Panagides
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Bin Li
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau.
| | | | - Aude Violette
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, 7911 Montroeul-au-bois, Belgium.
| | - Rudy Fourmy
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, 7911 Montroeul-au-bois, Belgium.
| | - Iwan Hendrikx
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Amanda Nouwens
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Queenslnd, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Judith Clements
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia.
| | | | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau.
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
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Klembara J, Dobiašová K, Hain M, Yaryhin O. Skull Anatomy and Ontogeny of Legless Lizard Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775): Heterochronic Influences on Form. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2017; 300:460-502. [PMID: 27981780 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775) is the largest extant legless species of the subfamily Anguinae (Anguimorpha, Anguidae) living mostly in the sub-arid territories ranging from the Balkan area in Europe to Kazakhstan in Asia. The species of other two genera live in North America, South-East Asia and North Africa (Ophisaurus) and Europe and South-West Asia (Anguis). The interrelationships of Anguinae are unresolved; this is in part the consequence of the insufficient knowledge of the cranial, postcranial and integumentary anatomy of the individual anguine species. The aim of this article is to fulfill this gap in our knowledge of the anguine anatomy. Now, in the first part of the project, the individual bones of the exocranium and visceral endocranium of the anguine legless lizard P. apodus are described in detail. In the present study, P. apodus is revealed to have autoapomorphic features of the skull which clearly distinguish it from Anguis and Ophisaurus. In addition, the study of posthatchling ontogeny of exocranium of P. apodus revealed some features, such as a nasal process of premaxilla being slightly widened in about its mid-length, that are also typical for adults of the Ophisaurus and Anguis species as well as extinct species of Pseudopus. This strongly indicates that peramorphic heterochronic process played role in the evolution of the P. apodus skull. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 300:460-502, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Klembara
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Ecology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Karolína Dobiašová
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Ecology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Miroslav Hain
- Institute of Measurement Science, Department of Optoelectronic Measuring Methods, Academy of Sciences, Slovakia
| | - Oleksandr Yaryhin
- Department of Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates, I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.,Faculty of Biology Department of Zoology, Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University, Lutsk, Volyns'ka oblast', Ukraine
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33
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Arida E. Genetic Divergence and Phylogenetic Relationships Among Indonesian Species of Monitor Lizards of the Genus Varanus Based on Cytochrome Oxidase I Sequences. HAYATI JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hjb.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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34
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Rajpoot A, Kumar VP, Bahuguna A, Kumar D. Forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) for the first time authentication of Indian Varanus species: implication in wildlife forensics and conservation. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2016; 28:892-900. [PMID: 27838947 DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2016.1202943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Monitor lizards are Varanus species widely distributed, endangered reptile in the IUCN red data list. In India, based on the morphological and ecological characteristic, it is divided into four species viz. Bengal monitor lizard, Yellow monitor lizard, Desert monitor lizard and Water monitor lizard. These four species listed as Schedule I species in Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. This paper first attempt to present Forensically Informative Nucleotide Sequencing (FINS) for the Indian Varanus based on three mitochondrial genes. The molecular framework will be useful for the identification of Indian Varanus species and trade products derived from monitors and as such, have important applications for wildlife management and conservation. Here, we used known 14 individual skin pieces of four species of monitor lizards; the partial fragment of three mitochondrial genes (Cyt b, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA) were amplified for genetic study. In Cyt b, 12S rRNA and 16s rRNA, we observed, 5, 5 and 4 Haplotypes; 71, 69, and 43 Variables sites; 90, 89, and 50 Parsimony Informative sites within four species of Indian monitor lizards, respectively. Despite it, the nucleotide composition was T 26.4, C 32.8, A 29.2 and G11.6; T 18.8, C 29.7, A 34.0 and G 17.5; T 21.7, C 27.3, A 32.5 and G 18.5 in Cyt b, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA, respectively. The neighbor joining phylogenetic tree and maximum parsimony tree of three mitochondrial genes, showed similar results and reveal that, there are two major clades are present in Indian monitor lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Rajpoot
- a Molecular Systematic Laboratory , Zoological Survey of India, NRC , Dehradun , Uttarakhand , India
| | - Ved Prakash Kumar
- b Forensic and Conservation Genetic Cell , Wildlife Institute of India , Dehradun , Uttarakhand , India.,c Department of Zoology , Veer Kunwar Singh University , Arrah , Bihar , India
| | - Archana Bahuguna
- a Molecular Systematic Laboratory , Zoological Survey of India, NRC , Dehradun , Uttarakhand , India
| | - Dhyanendra Kumar
- c Department of Zoology , Veer Kunwar Singh University , Arrah , Bihar , India
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Yang DC, Deuis JR, Dashevsky D, Dobson J, Jackson TNW, Brust A, Xie B, Koludarov I, Debono J, Hendrikx I, Hodgson WC, Josh P, Nouwens A, Baillie GJ, Bruxner TJC, Alewood PF, Lim KKP, Frank N, Vetter I, Fry BG. The Snake with the Scorpion's Sting: Novel Three-Finger Toxin Sodium Channel Activators from the Venom of the Long-Glanded Blue Coral Snake (Calliophis bivirgatus). Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E303. [PMID: 27763551 PMCID: PMC5086663 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Millions of years of evolution have fine-tuned the ability of venom peptides to rapidly incapacitate both prey and potential predators. Toxicofera reptiles are characterized by serous-secreting mandibular or maxillary glands with heightened levels of protein expression. These glands are the core anatomical components of the toxicoferan venom system, which exists in myriad points along an evolutionary continuum. Neofunctionalisation of toxins is facilitated by positive selection at functional hotspots on the ancestral protein and venom proteins have undergone dynamic diversification in helodermatid and varanid lizards as well as advanced snakes. A spectacular point on the venom system continuum is the long-glanded blue coral snake (Calliophis bivirgatus), a specialist feeder that preys on fast moving, venomous snakes which have both a high likelihood of prey escape but also represent significant danger to the predator itself. The maxillary venom glands of C. bivirgatus extend one quarter of the snake's body length and nestle within the rib cavity. Despite the snake's notoriety its venom has remained largely unstudied. Here we show that the venom uniquely produces spastic paralysis, in contrast to the flaccid paralysis typically produced by neurotoxic snake venoms. The toxin responsible, which we have called calliotoxin (δ-elapitoxin-Cb1a), is a three-finger toxin (3FTx). Calliotoxin shifts the voltage-dependence of NaV1.4 activation to more hyperpolarised potentials, inhibits inactivation, and produces large ramp currents, consistent with its profound effects on contractile force in an isolated skeletal muscle preparation. Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) are a particularly attractive pharmacological target as they are involved in almost all physiological processes including action potential generation and conduction. Accordingly, venom peptides that interfere with NaV function provide a key defensive and predatory advantage to a range of invertebrate venomous species including cone snails, scorpions, spiders, and anemones. Enhanced activation or delayed inactivation of sodium channels by toxins is associated with the extremely rapid onset of tetanic/excitatory paralysis in envenomed prey animals. A strong selection pressure exists for the evolution of such toxins where there is a high chance of prey escape. However, despite their prevalence in other venomous species, toxins causing delay of sodium channel inhibition have never previously been described in vertebrate venoms. Here we show that NaV modulators, convergent with those of invertebrates, have evolved in the venom of the long-glanded coral snake. Calliotoxin represents a functionally novel class of 3FTx and a structurally novel class of NaV toxins that will provide significant insights into the pharmacology and physiology of NaV. The toxin represents a remarkable case of functional convergence between invertebrate and vertebrate venom systems in response to similar selection pressures. These results underscore the dynamic evolution of the Toxicofera reptile system and reinforces the value of using evolution as a roadmap for biodiscovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl C Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia.
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Daniel Dashevsky
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - James Dobson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Timothy N W Jackson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Andreas Brust
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Bing Xie
- Bejing Genomics Institute-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Ivan Koludarov
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Jordan Debono
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Iwan Hendrikx
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Wayne C Hodgson
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia.
| | - Peter Josh
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Amanda Nouwens
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Gregory J Baillie
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Timothy J C Bruxner
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Kelvin Kok Peng Lim
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore 117377, Singapore.
| | | | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Australia.
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
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Openshaw GH, D'Amore DC, Vidal-García M, Keogh JS. Combining geometric morphometric analyses of multiple 2D observation views improves interpretation of evolutionary allometry and shape diversification in monitor lizard (Varanus) crania. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle H. Openshaw
- Division of Evolution; Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | | | - Marta Vidal-García
- Division of Evolution; Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - J. Scott Keogh
- Division of Evolution; Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
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Weijola V, Donnellan SC, Lindqvist C. A new blue-tailed Monitor lizard (Reptilia, Squamata, Varanus) of the Varanus indicus group from Mussau Island, Papua New Guinea. Zookeys 2016; 568:129-54. [PMID: 27103877 PMCID: PMC4829673 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.568.6872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a new species of Varanus from Mussau Island, north-east of New Guinea. The new species is a member of the Varanus indicus species group and is distinguished from all other members by both morphological and molecular genetic characters. It is the third species of Varanus reported from the Bismarck Archipelago and the first record of a yellow tongued member of the Varanus indicus species group from a remote oceanic island. The herpetofauna of Mussau Island has not been well studied but the discovery of this new species is in accordance with recent findings indicating that the island may harbor several unknown endemic vertebrates. The distribution of the closely related Varanus finschi is also discussed in the light of recent fieldwork and a review of old records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Weijola
- Zoological Museum, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland (VW)
| | - Stephen C. Donnellan
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000 and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia (SCD)
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38
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Dowell SA, Portik DM, de Buffrénil V, Ineich I, Greenbaum E, Kolokotronis SO, Hekkala ER. Molecular data from contemporary and historical collections reveal a complex story of cryptic diversification in the Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 94:591-604. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Weijola V, Kraus F, Vahtera V, Lindqvist C, Donnellan SC. Reinstatement of Varanus douarrha Lesson, 1830 as a valid species with comments on the zoogeography of monitor lizards (Squamata : Varanidae) in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. AUST J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/zo16038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The distribution and taxonomy of varanid lizards occurring in the Bismarck Archipelago is revised on the basis of field surveys, examination of museum vouchers and molecular phylogenetic analyses. A total of four species is recorded: Varanus indicus and Varanus finschi on New Britain and some of its offshore islands, Varanus douarrha on New Ireland, Lavongai and Djaul, and Varanus semotus on Mussau Island. V. douarrha, previously mistaken for both V. indicus and V. finschi, is shown to be the only species represented on New Ireland and is here resurrected as a valid taxon based on an integrated approach combining morphological and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes suggest that V. indicus is a relatively recent immigrant to the Bismarck Islands, whereas V. douarrha, V. finschi and V. semotus have significantly longer histories in the island group. Together with the recently described V. semotus the revalidation of V. douarrha doubles the number of species known to occur in the Bismarck region and highlights an important component of both local and regional endemism.
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40
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Ujvari B, Casewell NR, Sunagar K, Arbuckle K, Wüster W, Lo N, O'Meally D, Beckmann C, King GF, Deplazes E, Madsen T. Widespread convergence in toxin resistance by predictable molecular evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:11911-6. [PMID: 26372961 PMCID: PMC4586833 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1511706112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The question about whether evolution is unpredictable and stochastic or intermittently constrained along predictable pathways is the subject of a fundamental debate in biology, in which understanding convergent evolution plays a central role. At the molecular level, documented examples of convergence are rare and limited to occurring within specific taxonomic groups. Here we provide evidence of constrained convergent molecular evolution across the metazoan tree of life. We show that resistance to toxic cardiac glycosides produced by plants and bufonid toads is mediated by similar molecular changes to the sodium-potassium-pump (Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase) in insects, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. In toad-feeding reptiles, resistance is conferred by two point mutations that have evolved convergently on four occasions, whereas evidence of a molecular reversal back to the susceptible state in varanid lizards migrating to toad-free areas suggests that toxin resistance is maladaptive in the absence of selection. Importantly, resistance in all taxa is mediated by replacements of 2 of the 12 amino acids comprising the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase H1-H2 extracellular domain that constitutes a core part of the cardiac glycoside binding site. We provide mechanistic insight into the basis of resistance by showing that these alterations perturb the interaction between the cardiac glycoside bufalin and the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Thus, similar selection pressures have resulted in convergent evolution of the same molecular solution across the breadth of the animal kingdom, demonstrating how a scarcity of possible solutions to a selective challenge can lead to highly predictable evolutionary responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nicholas R Casewell
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom;
| | - Kartik Sunagar
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Kevin Arbuckle
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Wolfgang Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Denis O'Meally
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Christa Beckmann
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Evelyne Deplazes
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia; School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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41
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Aduse-Poku K, Brattström O, Kodandaramaiah U, Lees DC, Brakefield PM, Wahlberg N. Systematics and historical biogeography of the old world butterfly subtribe Mycalesina (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae). BMC Evol Biol 2015; 15:167. [PMID: 26289424 PMCID: PMC4545879 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-015-0449-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Butterflies of the subtribe Mycalesina have radiated successfully in almost all habitat types in Africa, Madagascar, the Indian subcontinent, Indo-China and Australasia. Studies aimed at understanding the reasons behind the evolutionary success of this spectacular Old World butterfly radiation have been hampered by the lack of a stable phylogeny for the group. Here, we have reconstructed a robust phylogenetic framework for the subtribe using 10 genes from 195 exemplar taxa. RESULTS We recovered seven well supported clades within the subtribe corresponding to the five traditional genera (Lohora, Heteropsis, Hallelesis, Bicyclus, Mycalesis), one as recently revised (Mydosama) and one newly revised genus (Culapa). The phylogenetic relationships of these mycalesine genera have been robustly established for the first time. Within the proposed phylogenetic framework, we estimated the crown age of the subtribe to be 40 Million years ago (Mya) and inferred its ultimate origin to be in Asia. Our results reveal both vicariance and dispersal as factors responsible for the current widespread distribution of the group in the Old World tropics. We inferred that the African continent has been colonized at least twice by Asian mycalesines within the last 26 and 23 Mya. In one possible scenario, an Asian ancestor gave rise to Heteropsis on continental Africa, which later dispersed into Madagascar and most likely back colonised Asia. The second colonization of Africa by Asian ancestors resulted in Hallelesis and Bicyclus on continental Africa, the descendants of which did not colonise other regions but rather diversified only in continental Africa. The genera Lohora and Mydosama are derivatives of ancestors from continental Asia. CONCLUSION Our proposed time-calibrated phylogeny now provides a solid framework within which we can implement mechanistic studies aimed at unravelling the ecological and evolutionary processes that culminated in the spectacular radiation of mycalesines in the Old World tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwaku Aduse-Poku
- Department of Zoology, Radiating Butterflies Group, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
| | - Oskar Brattström
- Department of Zoology, Radiating Butterflies Group, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
| | - Ullasa Kodandaramaiah
- Department of Zoology, Radiating Butterflies Group, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK. .,School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER-TVM), CET campus, Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, 695016, India.
| | - David C Lees
- Department of Zoology, Radiating Butterflies Group, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
| | - Paul M Brakefield
- Department of Zoology, Radiating Butterflies Group, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
| | - Niklas Wahlberg
- Department of Biology, NSG, Laboratory of Genetics, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland.
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42
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Matsubara K, O’Meally D, Azad B, Georges A, Sarre SD, Graves JAM, Matsuda Y, Ezaz T. Amplification of microsatellite repeat motifs is associated with the evolutionary differentiation and heterochromatinization of sex chromosomes in Sauropsida. Chromosoma 2015; 125:111-23. [DOI: 10.1007/s00412-015-0531-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the weevil subfamily Platypodinae reveals evolutionarily conserved range patterns. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2015; 92:294-307. [PMID: 26190520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Platypodinae is a peculiar weevil subfamily of species that cultivate fungi in tunnels excavated in dead wood. Their geographical distribution is generally restricted, with genera confined to a single continent or large island, which provides a useful system for biogeographical research. This study establishes the first detailed molecular phylogeny of the group, with the aim of testing hypotheses on classification, diversification, and biogeography. A phylogeny was reconstructed based on 3648 nucleotides from COI, EF-1α, CAD, ArgK, and 28S. Tree topology was well resolved and indicated a strong correlation with geography, more so than predicted by previous morphology-based classifications. Tesserocerini was paraphyletic, with Notoplatypus as the sister group to a clade consisting of three main lineages of Tesserocerini and the recently evolved Platypodini. Austroplatypus formed the sister group to all remaining Platypodini and hence confirmed its separate status from Platypus. The Indo-Australian genera of Platypodini were strikingly paraphyletic, suggesting that the taxonomy of this tribe needs careful revision. Ancestral-area reconstructions in Lagrange and S-DIVA were ambiguous for nodes roughly older than 80 Ma. More recent events were firmly assessed and involved post-Gondwanan long-distance dispersal. The Neotropics was colonized three times, all from the Afrotropical region, with the latest event less than 25 Ma that included the ancestor of all Neotropical Platypodini.
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44
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McCurry MR, Mahony M, Clausen PD, Quayle MR, Walmsley CW, Jessop TS, Wroe S, Richards H, McHenry CR. The relationship between cranial structure, biomechanical performance and ecological diversity in varanoid lizards. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130625. [PMID: 26106889 PMCID: PMC4479569 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Skull structure is intimately associated with feeding ability in vertebrates, both in terms of specific performance measures and general ecological characteristics. This study quantitatively assessed variation in the shape of the cranium and mandible in varanoid lizards, and its relationship to structural performance (von Mises strain) and interspecific differences in feeding ecology. Geometric morphometric and linear morphometric analyses were used to evaluate morphological differences, and finite element analysis was used to quantify variation in structural performance (strain during simulated biting, shaking and pulling). This data was then integrated with ecological classes compiled from relevant scientific literature on each species in order to establish structure-function relationships. Finite element modelling results showed that variation in cranial morphology resulted in large differences in the magnitudes and locations of strain in biting, shaking and pulling load cases. Gracile species such as Varanus salvadorii displayed high strain levels during shaking, especially in the areas between the orbits. All models exhibit less strain during pull back loading compared to shake loading, even though a larger force was applied (pull =30N, shake = 20N). Relationships were identified between the morphology, performance, and ecology. Species that did not feed on hard prey clustered in the gracile region of cranial morphospace and exhibited significantly higher levels of strain during biting (P = 0.0106). Species that fed on large prey clustered in the elongate area of mandible morphospace. This relationship differs from those that have been identified in other taxonomic groups such as crocodiles and mammals. This difference may be due to a combination of the open 'space-frame' structure of the varanoid lizard skull, and the 'pull back' behaviour that some species use for processing large prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. McCurry
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Science, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Geosciences, Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Mahony
- School of Environmental and Life Science, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | | | - Michelle R. Quayle
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Tim S. Jessop
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen Wroe
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- The Function, Evolution & Anatomy Research Lab, Zoology Division, School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Heather Richards
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Colin R. McHenry
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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45
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Matsubara K, Sarre SD, Georges A, Matsuda Y, Marshall Graves JA, Ezaz T. Highly differentiated ZW sex microchromosomes in the Australian Varanus species evolved through rapid amplification of repetitive sequences. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95226. [PMID: 24743344 PMCID: PMC3990592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transitions between sex determination systems have occurred in many lineages of squamates and it follows that novel sex chromosomes will also have arisen multiple times. The formation of sex chromosomes may be reinforced by inhibition of recombination and the accumulation of repetitive DNA sequences. The karyotypes of monitor lizards are known to be highly conserved yet the sex chromosomes in this family have not been fully investigated. Here, we compare male and female karyotypes of three Australian monitor lizards, Varanus acanthurus, V. gouldii and V. rosenbergi, from two different clades. V. acanthurus belongs to the acanthurus clade and the other two belong to the gouldii clade. We applied C-banding and comparative genomic hybridization to reveal that these species have ZZ/ZW sex micro-chromosomes in which the W chromosome is highly differentiated from the Z chromosome. In combination with previous reports, all six Varanus species in which sex chromosomes have been identified have ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes, spanning several clades on the varanid phylogeny, making it likely that the ZZ/ZW sex chromosome is ancestral for this family. However, repetitive sequences of these ZW chromosome pairs differed among species. In particular, an (AAT)n microsatellite repeat motif mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization on part of W chromosome in V. acanthurus only, whereas a (CGG)n motif mapped onto the W chromosomes of V. gouldii and V. rosenbergi. Furthermore, the W chromosome probe for V. acanthurus produced hybridization signals only on the centromeric regions of W chromosomes of the other two species. These results suggest that the W chromosome sequences were not conserved between gouldii and acanthurus clades and that these repetitive sequences have been amplified rapidly and independently on the W chromosome of the two clades after their divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Matsubara
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stephen D. Sarre
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Yoichi Matsuda
- Department of Applied Molecular Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Tariq Ezaz
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Klembara J, Hain M, Dobiašová K. Comparative Anatomy of the Lower Jaw and Dentition ofPseudopus apodusand the Interrelationships of Species of Subfamily Anguinae (Anguimorpha, Anguidae). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2014; 297:516-44. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.22854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Klembara
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Natural Sciences; Comenius University in Bratislava; Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Miroslav Hain
- Institute of Measurement Science; Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Karolína Dobiašová
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Natural Sciences; Comenius University in Bratislava; Bratislava Slovakia
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47
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Welton LJ, Wood PL, Oaks JR, Siler CD, Brown RM. Fossil-calibrated phylogeny and historical biogeography of Southeast Asian water monitors (Varanus salvator Complex). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2014; 74:29-37. [PMID: 24486878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We utilize robust geographical genetic sampling, a multilocus dataset, a new synthesis of numerous fossil calibration points, a time-calibrated phylogeny, and the Dispersal-Extinction-Cladogenesis model to test the prediction that widespread Southeast Asian water monitor species initially diversified on the Asian mainland and subsequently invaded the island archipelagos of the Philippines, Sundaland, and Wallacea. Our results strongly contradict these expectations and instead infer an initial water monitor radiation of range-restricted but highly divergent evolutionary lineages (now recognized as endemic species) in one archipelago around 3.6 mya, followed by an out-of-the-Philippines reinvasion of the mainland (2.2 mya), resulting in a few, widespread species that now inhabit most the islands of the Sunda Shelf and the Southeast Asian mainland as far north as Myanmar, as well as an out-of-the-Philippines invasion of Sulawesi (2.1 mya). Our analyses both confirm the importance of island archipelagos as drivers of diversification for mainland biodiversity and emphasize the global evolutionary significance and conservation priority of the Philippines for understanding processes of diversification in island archipelagos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Welton
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA.
| | - Perry L Wood
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
| | - Jamie R Oaks
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA.
| | - Cameron D Siler
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73072-7029, USA.
| | - Rafe M Brown
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA.
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48
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Openshaw GH, Keogh JS. Head shape evolution in monitor lizards (Varanus
): interactions between extreme size disparity, phylogeny and ecology. J Evol Biol 2014; 27:363-73. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 11/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. H. Openshaw
- Division of Evolution, Ecology & Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - J. S. Keogh
- Division of Evolution, Ecology & Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
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Smith KT, Gauthier JA. Early Eocene Lizards of the Wasatch Formation near Bitter Creek, Wyoming: Diversity and Paleoenvironment during an Interval of Global Warming. BULLETIN OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2013. [DOI: 10.3374/014.054.0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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50
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Welton LJ, Siler CD, Oaks JR, Diesmos AC, Brown RM. Multilocus phylogeny and Bayesian estimates of species boundaries reveal hidden evolutionary relationships and cryptic diversity in Southeast Asian monitor lizards. Mol Ecol 2013; 22:3495-510. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Revised: 03/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. J. Welton
- Department of Biology; Brigham Young University; Provo UT 84602 USA
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Kansas; Lawrence KS 66045-7561 USA
| | - C. D. Siler
- Department of Biology; University of South Dakota; Vermillion SD 57069 USA
| | - J. R. Oaks
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Kansas; Lawrence KS 66045-7561 USA
| | - A. C. Diesmos
- Herpetology Section; Zoology Division; Philippine National Museum; Rizal Park, Burgos Street Manila Philippines
| | - R. M. Brown
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Kansas; Lawrence KS 66045-7561 USA
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