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Hernández-Morales C, Ngo A, Abdelhadi L, Schargel WE, Daza JD, Yánez-Muñoz MH, Smith EN. The skull of the semi-aquatic neotropical lizard Echinosaura horrida (Gymnophthalmidae: Cercosaurinae) reveals new synapomorphies within Gymnophthalmoidea. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 38965784 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25530] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The rough teiid or water cork lizard (Echinosaura horrida) is a small reptile from Colombia and Ecuador placed in a genus that contains eight species and well-known phylogenetic relationships. Here we provide a detailed description and illustrations, bone by bone, of its skull, while we discussed its intraspecific variation by comparing high-resolution computed tomography data from two specimens and the variation within the genus by including previously published data from Echinosaura fischerorum. This allowed to propose putative diagnostic character states for Echinosaura horrida and synapomorphies for Echinosaura. In addition, our discussion includes broader comparisons of new character transformations of the jugal, vomer, orbitosphenoid, and hyoid. These characters are important for diagnosing clades at different levels of the Gymnophthalmoidea phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison Ngo
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Leila Abdelhadi
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Walter E Schargel
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Juan D Daza
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, USA
| | - Mario H Yánez-Muñoz
- Unidad de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INABIO), Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Eric N Smith
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
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Mezzasalma M, Macirella R, Odierna G, Brunelli E. Karyotype Diversification and Chromosome Rearrangements in Squamate Reptiles. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:371. [PMID: 38540430 PMCID: PMC10970613 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030371] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Karyotype diversification represents an important, yet poorly understood, driver of evolution. Squamate reptiles are characterized by a high taxonomic diversity which is reflected at the karyotype level in terms of general structure, chromosome number and morphology, and insurgence of differentiated simple or multiple-sex-chromosome systems with either male or female heterogamety. The potential of squamate reptiles as unique model organisms in evolutionary cytogenetics has been recognised in recent years in several studies, which have provided novel insights into the chromosome evolutionary dynamics of different taxonomic groups. Here, we review and summarize the resulting complex, but promising, general picture from a systematic perspective, mapping some of the main squamate karyological characteristics onto their phylogenetic relationships. We highlight how all the major categories of balanced chromosome rearrangements contributed to the karyotype evolution in different taxonomic groups. We show that distinct karyotype evolutionary trends may occur, and coexist, with different frequencies in different clades. Finally, in light of the known squamate chromosome diversity and recent research advances, we discuss traditional and novel hypotheses on karyotype evolution and propose a scenario of circular karyotype evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy; (R.M.); (E.B.)
| | - Rachele Macirella
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy; (R.M.); (E.B.)
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Independent Researcher, Via Michelangelo 123, 81031 Aversa, Italy;
| | - Elvira Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy; (R.M.); (E.B.)
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Moraes-da-Silva A, Walterman S, Citeli N, Nunes PM, Curcio FF. A new oviparous species of Helicops Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes, Xenodontinae) from Brazilian Amazonia with reflections on the evolution of viviparity among hydropsine watersnakes. ZOOL ANZ 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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4
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A New Species of Microtegu Lizard (Gymnophthalmidae: Cercosaurinae) from Amazonian Ecuador. J HERPETOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1670/20-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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5
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Mezzasalma M, Guarino FM, Odierna G. Lizards as Model Organisms of Sex Chromosome Evolution: What We Really Know from a Systematic Distribution of Available Data? Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1341. [PMID: 34573323 PMCID: PMC8468487 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lizards represent unique model organisms in the study of sex determination and sex chromosome evolution. Among tetrapods, they are characterized by an unparalleled diversity of sex determination systems, including temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) and genetic sex determination (GSD) under either male or female heterogamety. Sex chromosome systems are also extremely variable in lizards. They include simple (XY and ZW) and multiple (X1X2Y and Z1Z2W) sex chromosome systems and encompass all the different hypothesized stages of diversification of heterogametic chromosomes, from homomorphic to heteromorphic and completely heterochromatic sex chromosomes. The co-occurrence of TSD, GSD and different sex chromosome systems also characterizes different lizard taxa, which represent ideal models to study the emergence and the evolutionary drivers of sex reversal and sex chromosome turnover. In this review, we present a synthesis of general genome and karyotype features of non-snakes squamates and discuss the main theories and evidences on the evolution and diversification of their different sex determination and sex chromosome systems. We here provide a systematic assessment of the available data on lizard sex chromosome systems and an overview of the main cytogenetic and molecular methods used for their identification, using a qualitative and quantitative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (F.M.G.); (G.O.)
- CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661 Vairaõ, Portugal
| | - Fabio M. Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (F.M.G.); (G.O.)
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (F.M.G.); (G.O.)
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Ribeiro‐Júnior MA, Sánchez‐Martínez PM, Moraes LJCDL, Oliveira USCD, Carvalho VTD, Pavan D, Choueri EHDL, Werneck FP, Meiri S. Uncovering hidden species diversity of alopoglossid lizards in Amazonia, with the description of three new species of
Alopoglossus
(Squamata: Gymnophthalmoidae). J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola María Sánchez‐Martínez
- Grupo de Morfología y Ecología Evolutiva Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Universidad Nacional de Colombia Bogotá, D.C Colombia
| | | | | | - Vinícius Tadeu de Carvalho
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Recursos Naturais Universidade Regional do Cariri Crato Brazil
- Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal Universidade Federal do Amazonas Manaus Brazil
| | - Dante Pavan
- Ecosfera Consultoria e Pesquisa em Meio Ambiente Itapina Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda P. Werneck
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade Programa de Coleções Científicas Biológicas Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus Brazil
| | - Shai Meiri
- Steinhardt Museum of Natural History Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
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Perez-Martinez CA, Leal M. Lizards as models to explore the ecological and neuroanatomical correlates of miniaturization. BEHAVIOUR 2021. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Extreme body size reductions bring about unorthodox anatomical arrangements and novel ways in which animals interact with the environment. Drawing from studies of vertebrates and invertebrates, we provide a theoretical framework for miniaturization to inform hypotheses using lizards as a study system. Through this approach, we demonstrate the repeated evolution of miniaturization across 11 families and a tendency for miniaturized species to occupy terrestrial microhabitats, possibly driven by physiological constraints. Differences in gross brain morphology between two gecko species demonstrate a proportionally larger telencephalon and smaller olfactory bulbs in the miniaturized species, though more data are needed to generalize this trend. Our study brings into light the potential contributions of miniaturized lizards to explain patterns of body size evolution and its impact on ecology and neuroanatomy. In addition, our findings reveal the need to study the natural history of miniaturized species, particularly in relation to their sensory and physiological ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Leal
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
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Glynne E, Daza JD, Bauer AM. Surface sculpturing in the skull of gecko lizards (Squamata: Gekkota). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
It has previously been stated that geckos are characterized by smooth cranial bones bearing no sculpturing; however, there are many exceptions. Here we systematically characterize variation in sculpturing in cranial bones across all seven gekkotan families and examine patterns of evolutionary transitions in these traits on a multigene molecular gekkotan phylogeny to elucidate trends in phenotypic diversification in bone sculpturing. Over 195 species were reviewed using specimens where smooth, grooved, pitted and rugose sculpturing patterns were found. Of the 26 cranial bones, only seven (premaxilla, maxilla, nasal, prefrontal, frontal, parietal and postorbitofrontal) were found to bear sculpturing across more than three species. Sculpturing was found to extend beyond these seven bones onto either the dentary, surangular and/or quadrate within five species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sculpturing evolved recently and repeatedly in several distinct lineages. The remaining 19 skull bones were smooth, except in the five species above, supporting the suggestion that smooth skull bones were ancestral in gekkotans. There is no apparent relationship between body size and the presence of bone sculpturing. The functional significance, if any, of sculpturing requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Glynne
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Juan D Daza
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Aaron M Bauer
- Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA
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