1
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Dervas E, Cigler P, Hatt JM, Kummrow MS. Morphological evidence for the physiological nature of follicular atresia in veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 261:107409. [PMID: 38215629 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Follicular atresia (FA) has been assumed to serve different functions in reptiles, e.g. helping to develop hierarchies, limiting clutch size, and regression of ovarian structures. Reproductive output is dependent on a balance between ovulations and FA. Excessive rates of FA may not only be detrimental for the survival of a population, but have also been associated with pathological conditions. In order to gain insights into the physiological and potentially pathological processes of FA, we performed a decriptive study on the morphological features of the ovaries in sexually mature female veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus, VC). Of 60 clinically healthy female VC with continuous ovarian cycling and at least one confirmed cycle with FA over at least 1.5 years, 30 were selected for macroscopic evaluation of ovarian appearance and 7 were subjected to histology and immunohistology. While FA of previtellogenic follicles happened at a low rate, expected for a species with two germinal beds per ovary and polyautochronic reproductive pattern, atresia in the late vitellogenic stage affected entire generations of follicles, consequential to ovulatory failure. Histologically, no pathological processes were identified in any of the animals. Rather, three stages of FA (early, middle, late) were defined and vitellogenic follicles showed two distinct morphological types of FA: yolky and cystic. Yolky FA was found in 21/30 (70%) animals, while cystic FA co-occurred in 9/30 (30%) of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Dervas
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Pia Cigler
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Michel Hatt
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maya S Kummrow
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Guo L, Kruglyak L. Genetics and biology of coloration in reptiles: the curious case of the Lemon Frost geckos. Physiol Genomics 2023; 55:479-486. [PMID: 37642275 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00015.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Although there are more than 10,000 reptile species, and reptiles have historically contributed to our understanding of biology, genetics research into class Reptilia has lagged compared with other animals. Here, we summarize recent progress in genetics of coloration in reptiles, with a focus on the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius. We highlight genetic approaches that have been used to examine variation in color and pattern formation in this species as well as to provide insights into mechanisms underlying skin cancer. We propose that their long breeding history in captivity makes leopard geckos one of the most promising emerging reptilian models for genetic studies. More broadly, technological advances in genetics, genomics, and gene editing may herald a golden era for studies of reptile biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhua Guo
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Geriatrics Center and Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Leonid Kruglyak
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
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3
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Taft JM, Tolley KA, Alexander GJ, Geneva AJ. De Novo Whole Genome Assemblies for Two Southern African Dwarf Chameleons (Bradypodion, Chamaeleonidae). Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:evad182. [PMID: 37847614 PMCID: PMC10603767 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A complete and high-quality reference genome has become a fundamental tool for the study of functional, comparative, and evolutionary genomics. However, efforts to produce high-quality genomes for African taxa are lagging given the limited access to sufficient resources and technologies. The southern African dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion) are a relatively young lineage, with a large body of evidence demonstrating the highly adaptive capacity of these lizards. Bradypodion are known for their habitat specialization, with evidence of convergent phenotypes across the phylogeny. However, the underlying genetic architecture of these phenotypes remains unknown for Bradypodion, and without adequate genomic resources, many evolutionary questions cannot be answered. We present de novo assembled whole genomes for Bradypodion pumilum and Bradypodion ventrale, using Pacific Biosciences long-read sequencing data. BUSCO analysis revealed that 96.36% of single copy orthologs were present in the B. pumilum genome and 94% in B. ventrale. Moreover, these genomes boast scaffold N50 of 389.6 and 374.9 Mb, respectively. Based on a whole genome alignment of both Bradypodion genomes, B. pumilum is highly syntenic with B. ventrale. Furthermore, Bradypodion is also syntenic with Anolis lizards, despite the divergence between these lineages estimated to be nearly 170 Ma. Coalescent analysis of the genomic data also suggests that historical changes in effective population size for these species correspond to notable shifts in the southern African environment. These high-quality Bradypodion genome assemblies will support future research on the evolutionary history, diversification, and genetic underpinnings of adaptation in Bradypodion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody M Taft
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Claremont, South Africa
| | - Krystal A Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Claremont, South Africa
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Graham J Alexander
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anthony J Geneva
- Department of Biology, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University–Camden, Camden, New Jersey, USA
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4
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Shylo NA, Smith SE, Price AJ, Guo F, McClain M, Trainor PA. Morphological changes and two Nodal paralogs drive left-right asymmetry in the squamate veiled chameleon ( C. calyptratus). Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1132166. [PMID: 37113765 PMCID: PMC10126504 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1132166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The ancestral mode of left-right (L-R) patterning involves cilia in the L-R organizer. However, the mechanisms regulating L-R patterning in non-avian reptiles remains an enigma, since most squamate embryos are undergoing organogenesis at oviposition. In contrast, veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) embryos are pre-gastrula at oviposition, making them an excellent organism for studying L-R patterning evolution. Here we show that veiled chameleon embryos lack motile cilia at the time of L-R asymmetry establishment. Thus, the loss of motile cilia in the L-R organizers is a synapomorphy of all reptiles. Furthermore, in contrast to avians, geckos and turtles, which have one Nodal gene, veiled chameleon exhibits expression of two paralogs of Nodal in the left lateral plate mesoderm, albeit in non-identical patterns. Using live imaging, we observed asymmetric morphological changes that precede, and likely trigger, asymmetric expression of the Nodal cascade. Thus, veiled chameleons are a new and unique model for studying the evolution of L-R patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A. Shylo
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Sarah E. Smith
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Andrew J. Price
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Fengli Guo
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Melainia McClain
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Paul A. Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Paul A. Trainor,
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5
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Identification of Iguania Ancestral Syntenic Blocks and Putative Sex Chromosomes in the Veiled Chameleon ( Chamaeleo calyptratus, Chamaeleonidae, Iguania). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415838. [PMID: 36555478 PMCID: PMC9779593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is a typical member of the family Chamaeleonidae and a promising object for comparative cytogenetics and genomics. The karyotype of C. calyptratus differs from the putative ancestral chameleon karyotype (2n = 36) due to a smaller chromosome number (2n = 24) resulting from multiple chromosome fusions. The homomorphic sex chromosomes of an XX/XY system were described recently using male-specific RADseq markers. However, the chromosomal pair carrying these markers was not identified. Here we obtained chromosome-specific DNA libraries of C. calyptratus by chromosome flow sorting that were assigned by FISH and sequenced. Sequence comparison with three squamate reptiles reference genomes revealed the ancestral syntenic regions in the C. calyptratus chromosomes. We demonstrated that reducing the chromosome number in the C. calyptratus karyotype occurred through two fusions between microchromosomes and four fusions between micro-and macrochromosomes. PCR-assisted mapping of a previously described Y-specific marker indicates that chromosome 5 may be the sex chromosome pair. One of the chromosome 5 conserved synteny blocks shares homology with the ancestral pleurodont X chromosome, assuming parallelism in the evolution of sex chromosomes from two basal Iguania clades (pleurodonts and acrodonts). The comparative chromosome map produced here can serve as the foundation for future genome assembly of chameleons and vertebrate-wide comparative genomic studies.
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6
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Diaz RE, Taylor-Diaz EA, Trainor PA, Diogo R, Molnar JL. Comparative development of limb musculature in phylogenetically and ecologically divergent lizards. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:1576-1612. [PMID: 34927301 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Squamate reptiles (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians) exhibit incredible diversity in their locomotion, behavior, morphology, and ecological breadth. Although they often are used as models of locomotor diversity, surprisingly little attention has been given to muscle development in squamate reptiles. In fact, the most detailed examination was conducted almost 80 years ago and solely focused on the proximal limb regions. Herein, we present forelimb and hindlimb muscle morphogenesis data for three lizard species with different locomotion and feeding strategies: the desert grassland whiptail lizard, the central bearded dragon, and the veiled chameleon. This study fills critical gaps in our understanding of muscle morphogenesis in squamate reptiles and presents a comparative and temporospatial analysis of muscle development. RESULTS Our results reveal a conserved pattern of early muscle development among lizards with different adult morphologies and ecologies. The variations that exist are concentrated in distal regions, particularly the specialized autopodia of chameleons, where differentiation of muscles associated with the digits is delayed. CONCLUSIONS The chameleon autopod provides an example of major evolutionary modifications to the skeleton with only minor disruption of the conserved order and pattern of limb muscle development. This robustness of muscle patterning facilitates the evolution of extreme yet functional phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul E Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Herpetology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Taylor-Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Paul A Trainor
- Investigator, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Rui Diogo
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Julia L Molnar
- Department of Anatomy, New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
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7
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Blackburn DG. Functional morphology, diversity, and evolution of yolk processing specializations in embryonic reptiles and birds. J Morphol 2020; 282:995-1014. [PMID: 32960458 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Evolution of the terrestrial, amniotic egg of vertebrates required new mechanisms by which yolk material could be processed for embryonic use. Recent studies on each of the major extant reptile groups have revealed elaborate morphological specializations for yolk processing, features that differ dramatically from those of birds. In the avian pattern, liquid yolk is housed in a yolk sac whose endodermal lining absorbs and digests yolk material and sends resultant nutrients into the blood circulation. In snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians, as documented herein, the yolk sac becomes invaded by endodermal cells that proliferate and phagocytose yolk material. Blood vessels then invade, and the endodermal cells become arranged around them, forming elongated "spaghetti-like" strands that fill the yolk sac cavity. This pattern provides an effective means by which yolk material is cellularized, digested, and transported by vitelline vessels to the developing embryo. Phylogenetically, the (non-avian) "reptilian" pattern was ancestral for sauropsids and was modified or replaced in ancestors to birds. This review postulates that evolution of the "avian" pattern involved increased reliance on extracellular digestion of yolk, allowing embryonic development to occur more rapidly than in typical reptiles. Comparative studies of yolk processing that draw on morphological, biochemical, molecular approaches are needed to explain how and why the "reptilian" pattern was replaced in birds or their archosaurian ancestors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackburn
- Department of Biology, Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
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8
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Blackburn DG, Barnes MS, Reimers CD, Appiah FA, Lestz LL, Bonneau LJ, Hanson M, Smith-Paredes D, Bhullar BA. How do Crocodylian embryos process yolk? Morphological evidence from the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. J Morphol 2020; 282:953-958. [PMID: 32840899 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated a mechanism of embryonic yolk processing in lizards, snakes and turtles that differs markedly from that of birds. In the avian pattern, cells that line the inside of the yolk sac take up products of yolk digestion and deliver nutrients into the vitelline circulation. In contrast, in squamates and turtles, proliferating endodermal cells invade and fill the yolk sac cavity, forming elongated strands of yolk-filled cells that surround small blood vessels. This arrangement provides a means by which yolk material becomes cellularized, digested, and transported for embryonic use. Ultrastructural observations on late-stage Alligator mississippiensis eggs reveal elongated, vascular strands of endodermal cells within the yolk sac cavity. The strands of cells are intermixed with free yolk spheres and clumps of yolk-filled endodermal cells, features that reflect early phases in the yolk-processing pattern. These observations indicate that yolk processing in Alligator is more like the pattern of other reptiles than that of birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackburn
- Department of Biology, and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Madeline S Barnes
- Department of Biology, and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Charles D Reimers
- Department of Biology, and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Farahana A Appiah
- Department of Biology, and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Luisa L Lestz
- Department of Biology, and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Laurie J Bonneau
- Department of Biology, and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael Hanson
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daniel Smith-Paredes
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bhart-Anjan Bhullar
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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9
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Hampl M, Dumkova J, Kavkova M, Dosedelova H, Bryjova A, Zahradnicek O, Pyszko M, Macholan M, Zikmund T, Kaiser J, Buchtova M. Polarized Sonic Hedgehog Protein Localization and a Shift in the Expression of Region-Specific Molecules Is Associated With the Secondary Palate Development in the Veiled Chameleon. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:572. [PMID: 32850780 PMCID: PMC7399257 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary palate development is characterized by the formation of two palatal shelves on the maxillary prominences, which fuse in the midline in mammalian embryos. However, in reptilian species, such as turtles, crocodilians, and lizards, the palatal shelves of the secondary palate develop to a variable extent and morphology. While in most Squamates, the palate is widely open, crocodilians develop a fully closed secondary palate. Here, we analyzed developmental processes that underlie secondary palate formation in chameleons, where large palatal shelves extend horizontally toward the midline. The growth of the palatal shelves continued during post-hatching stages and closure of the secondary palate can be observed in several adult animals. The massive proliferation of a multilayered oral epithelium and mesenchymal cells in the dorsal part of the palatal shelves underlined the initiation of their horizontal outgrowth, and was decreased later in development. The polarized cellular localization of primary cilia and Sonic hedgehog protein was associated with horizontal growth of the palatal shelves. Moreover, the development of large palatal shelves, supported by the pterygoid and palatine bones, was coupled with the shift in Meox2, Msx1, and Pax9 gene expression along the rostro-caudal axis. In conclusion, our results revealed distinctive developmental processes that contribute to the expansion and closure of the secondary palate in chameleons and highlighted divergences in palate formation across amniote species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Hampl
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphogenesis, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jana Dumkova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Michaela Kavkova
- Laboratory of Computed Tomography, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Hana Dosedelova
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphogenesis, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | - Anna Bryjova
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | - Oldrich Zahradnicek
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia.,Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Pyszko
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | - Milos Macholan
- Laboratory of Mammalian Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | - Tomas Zikmund
- Laboratory of Computed Tomography, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jozef Kaiser
- Laboratory of Computed Tomography, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Marcela Buchtova
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphogenesis, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
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10
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Hughes DF, Blackburn DG. Evolutionary origins of viviparity in Chamaeleonidae. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Hughes
- Department of Animal Sciences University of Illinois Urbana IL USA
| | - Daniel G. Blackburn
- Department of Biology, Electron Microscopy Center Trinity College Hartford CT USA
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11
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Diaz RE, Shylo NA, Roellig D, Bronner M, Trainor PA. Filling in the phylogenetic gaps: Induction, migration, and differentiation of neural crest cells in a squamate reptile, the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Dev Dyn 2019; 248:709-727. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raul E. Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond Louisiana
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyDivision of Herpetology Los Angeles California
| | | | - Daniela Roellig
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology Pasadena California
| | - Marianne Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology Pasadena California
| | - Paul A. Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research Kansas City Missouri
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City Kansas
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12
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Lee KH, Chen TH, Shang G, Clulow S, Yang YJ, Lin SM. A check list and population trends of invasive amphibians and reptiles in Taiwan. Zookeys 2019; 829:85-130. [PMID: 30914838 PMCID: PMC6422934 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.27535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive species have impacted biodiversity all around the world. Among various ecosystems, islands are most vulnerable to these impacts due to their high ratio of endemism, highly specialized adaptation, and isolated and unique fauna. As with other subtropical islands, Taiwan faces constant risk of biological invasions and is currently ranked as one of the countries most affected by invasive amphibians and reptiles. In this paper, a comprehensive checklist of all known exotic amphibians and reptiles is provided, including twelve species which have successfully colonized Taiwan and six species with a controversial status. We provide an update on the knowledge of all these species including their distribution, colonization history, threats to native animals, and population trends based on literature records, fauna surveys, and data collected during invasive species eradication and control programs. A list of species with high invasive potentials is also provided. This study reports, for the first time, a comprehensive survey of invasive herpetofauna in Taiwan, which should provide a valuable reference to other regions which might suffer from similar invasion risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko-Huan Lee
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tien-Hsi Chen
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
| | - Gaus Shang
- Department of Biotechnology, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Simon Clulow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yi-Ju Yang
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974, Taiwan
| | - Si-Min Lin
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
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13
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Nielsen SV, Banks JL, Diaz RE, Trainor PA, Gamble T. Dynamic sex chromosomes in Old World chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae). J Evol Biol 2018; 31:484-490. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S. V. Nielsen
- Department of Biological Sciences; Marquette University; Milwaukee WI USA
| | - J. L. Banks
- Department of Biological Sciences; Marquette University; Milwaukee WI USA
| | - R. E. Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences; Southeastern Louisiana University; Hammond LA USA
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County; Los Angeles CA USA
| | - P. A. Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research; Kansas City MO USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Medical Center; University of Kansas; Kansas City KS USA
| | - T. Gamble
- Department of Biological Sciences; Marquette University; Milwaukee WI USA
- Bell Museum of Natural History; University of Minnesota; Saint Paul MN USA
- Milwaukee Public Museum; Milwaukee WI USA
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14
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Molnar JL, Diaz RE, Skorka T, Dagliyan G, Diogo R. Comparative musculoskeletal anatomy of chameleon limbs, with implications for the evolution of arboreal locomotion in lizards and for teratology. J Morphol 2017; 278:1241-1261. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia L. Molnar
- Department of Anatomy; Howard University College of Medicine; 520 W Street NW Washington DC 20059
| | - Raul E. Diaz
- Department of Biology; La Sierra University; 4500 Riverwalk Parkway Riverside California 92505
| | - Tautis Skorka
- Keck School of Medicine, Molecular Imaging Center, University of Southern California; 2250 Alcazar Street Los Angeles California 90033
| | - Grant Dagliyan
- Keck School of Medicine, Molecular Imaging Center, University of Southern California; 2250 Alcazar Street Los Angeles California 90033
| | - Rui Diogo
- Department of Anatomy; Howard University College of Medicine; 520 W Street NW Washington DC 20059
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15
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Diaz RE, Bertocchini F, Trainor PA. Lifting the Veil on Reptile Embryology: The Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) as a Model System to Study Reptilian Development. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1650:269-284. [PMID: 28809028 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7216-6_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Living amniotes comprise three major phylogenetic lineages: mammals, birds, and non-avian reptiles. Mouse and avian embryos continue to be the primary species used in experimental settings to further our knowledge and understanding of the genetics and embryology of amniotes. In comparison, non-avian reptiles, which constitute up to 40% of all living amniotes, have played a comparatively minor role. Studies of non-avian reptiles are, however, paramount for providing insights into the evolutionary changes that occurred in the transition from reptilian-like amniote ancestors to derived mammalian and avian species. Here, we introduce the Veiled Chameleon, a squamate reptile, as a new experimental model for examining fundamental questions in development, evolution, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul E Diaz
- Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, 92515, USA.
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| | - Federica Bertocchini
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia de Cantabria, CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria-Sodercan, Santander, Spain, 39012.
| | - Paul A Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
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Diaz RE, Trainor PA. Hand/foot splitting and the 're-evolution' of mesopodial skeletal elements during the evolution and radiation of chameleons. BMC Evol Biol 2015; 15:184. [PMID: 26382964 PMCID: PMC4574539 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-015-0464-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most distinctive traits found within Chamaeleonidae is their split/cleft autopodia and the simplified and divergent morphology of the mesopodial skeleton. These anatomical characteristics have facilitated the adaptive radiation of chameleons to arboreal niches. To better understand the homology of chameleon carpal and tarsal elements, the process of syndactyly, cleft formation, and how modification of the mesopodial skeleton has played a role in the evolution and diversification of chameleons, we have studied the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). We analysed limb patterning and morphogenesis through in situ hybridization, in vitro whole embryo culture and pharmacological perturbation, scoring for apoptosis, clefting, and skeletogenesis. Furthermore, we framed our data within a phylogenetic context by performing comparative skeletal analyses in 8 of the 12 currently recognized genera of extant chameleons. Results Our study uncovered a previously underappreciated degree of mesopodial skeletal diversity in chameleons. Phylogenetically derived chameleons exhibit a ‘typical’ outgroup complement of mesopodial elements (with the exception of centralia), with twice the number of currently recognized carpal and tarsal elements considered for this clade. In contrast to avians and rodents, mesenchymal clefting in chameleons commences in spite of the maintenance of a robust apical ectodermal ridge (AER). Furthermore, Bmp signaling appears to be important for cleft initiation but not for maintenance of apoptosis. Interdigital cell death therefore may be an ancestral characteristic of the autopodium, however syndactyly is an evolutionary novelty. In addition, we find that the pisiform segments from the ulnare and that chameleons lack an astragalus-calcaneum complex typical of amniotes and have evolved an ankle architecture convergent with amphibians in phylogenetically higher chameleons. Conclusion Our data underscores the importance of comparative and phylogenetic approaches when studying development. Body size may have played a role in the characteristic mesopodial skeletal architecture of chameleons by constraining deployment of the skeletogenic program in the smaller and earliest diverged and basal taxa. Our study challenges the ‘re-evolution’ of osteological features by showing that ‘re-evolving’ a ‘lost’ feature de novo (contrary to Dollo’s Law) may instead be due to so called ‘missing structures’ being present but underdeveloped and/or fused to other adjacent elements (cryptic features) whose independence may be re-established under changes in adaptive selective pressure. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0464-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul E Diaz
- Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, 92515, USA. .,Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA.
| | - Paul A Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
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Diaz RE, Anderson CV, Baumann DP, Kupronis R, Jewell D, Piraquive C, Kupronis J, Winter K, Greek TJ, Trainor PA. Captive Care, Raising, and Breeding of the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2015; 2015:943-949. [PMID: 26310902 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot087718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Squamate reptiles comprise approximately one-third of all living amniotes. In most of these species, it is difficult to study gastrulation and neurulation because the embryos are at a late stage of development at the time of oviposition. This is not the case, however, in veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus), which are increasingly being used as a model organism to study these and other developmental and evolutionary phenomena. Originating from the Arabian Peninsula, veiled chameleons are arboreal specialists that possess extensive morphological specializations for climbing. They naturally inhabit semitropical habitats, but they also have an almost 30-yr history of being bred in captivity. Veiled chameleons breed readily and do not require a period of cooling to induce the reproductive cycle, and females can produce ∼45-90 eggs multiple times per year. Thus, compared with other reptiles, relatively few animals are needed to maintain a productive breeding colony. Herein, we present the conditions, equipment, and techniques required for proper husbandry and breeding of veiled chameleons within a laboratory environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul E Diaz
- Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, California 92515; Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California 90007
| | - Christopher V Anderson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
| | - Diana P Baumann
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
| | - Richard Kupronis
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
| | - David Jewell
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
| | | | - Jill Kupronis
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
| | - Kristy Winter
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
| | - Thomas J Greek
- Greek & Associates Veterinary Hospital, Yorba Linda, California 92887
| | - Paul A Trainor
- Greek & Associates Veterinary Hospital, Yorba Linda, California 92887; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
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