1
|
Vučić T, Drobnjaković M, Ajduković M, Bugarčić M, Wielstra B, Ivanović A, Cvijanović M. A staging table of Balkan crested newt embryonic development to serve as a baseline in evolutionary developmental studies. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2024. [PMID: 38953174 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
There is an increased interest in the evolution and development of newts from the genus Triturus because: (1) morphological differentiation among the nine constituent species largely corresponds to different ecological preferences, (2) hybridization between different species pairs has various evolutionary outcomes in terms of life history traits and morphology, and (3) the genus expresses a balanced lethal system that causes arrested growth and death of half of the embryos. These features provide natural experimental settings for molecular, morphological, and life-history studies. Therefore, we produce a staging table for the Balkan crested newt (T. ivanbureschi). We provide detailed descriptions of 34 embryonic stages based on easily observable and interpretable external morphological characters, to ensure reproducibility. Compared with previous staging tables for Triturus, we include a vastly increased sample size and provide high-resolution photographs in lateral, ventral, and dorsal view, complemented by videos of specific developmental periods, and accompanied by detailed explanations on how to delineate the specific stages. Our staging table will serve as a baseline in comparative studies on Triturus newts: an emerging model system in evolutionary and developmental studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tijana Vučić
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Drobnjaković
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Ajduković
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Bugarčić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ben Wielstra
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Ivanović
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milena Cvijanović
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gaczorek TS, Marszałek M, Dudek K, Arntzen JW, Wielstra B, Babik W. Interspecific introgression of MHC genes in Triturus newts: Evidence from multiple contact zones. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:867-880. [PMID: 36458894 PMCID: PMC10108261 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are central to the adaptive immune response in vertebrates. Selection generally maintains high MHC variation because the spectrum of recognized pathogens depends on MHC polymorphism. Novel alleles favoured by selection originate by interallelic recombination or de novo mutations but may also be acquired by introgression from related species. However, the extent and prevalence of MHC introgression remain an open question. In this study, we tested for MHC introgression in six hybrid zones formed by six Triturus newt species. We sequenced and genotyped the polymorphic second exons of the MHC class I and II genes and compared their interspecific similarity at various distances from the centre of the hybrid zone. We found evidence for introgression of both MHC classes in the majority of examined hybrid zones, with support for a more substantial class I introgression. Furthermore, the overall MHC allele sharing outside of hybrid zones was elevated between pairs of Triturus species with abutting ranges, regardless of the phylogenetic distance between them. No effect of past hybrid zone movement on MHC allele sharing was found. Finally, using previously published genome-wide data, we demonstrated that MHC introgression was more extensive than genome-wide introgression, supporting its adaptive potential. Our study thus provides evidence for the prevalence of MHC introgression across multiple Triturus hybrid zones, indicating that MHC introgression between divergent hybridizing species may be widespread and adaptive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz S Gaczorek
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marzena Marszałek
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dudek
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jan W Arntzen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Wielstra
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wiesław Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Arntzen JW. A two-species distribution model for parapatric newts, with inferences on their history of spatial replacement. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Related species often engage in abutting or overlapping contact zones with various strengths of interspecific competition. Biotic interactions such as these preclude the registration of the full profile of environmental variables that would describe the otherwise larger species ranges. Here, I advocate to forego full range species distribution modelling and instead focus on the ecography of the contact zone, for example with ‘two-species distribution models’ (TSDMs), in which presence data are contrasted against the background of environmental data. The newts Triturus cristatus and Triturus marmoratus meet in the west of France. A countrywide TSDM suggests that the contact zone of the species is located at a climatic gradient, in line with their north-eastern vs. south-western ranges. The species are also ecologically segregated by elevation and forestation, which is in line with a documented movement of the contact zone caused by hedgerow removal in lowland areas. Hindcasts for the Holocene suggest that the species contact zone was positioned at either the same place as at present or more to the south, depending on the amount of forestation. A forecast under climate warming predicts a fast movement to the north, but this scenario is deemed unrealistic. One reason is that recent habitat loss compromises dispersal and range expansion. Other species pairs to which TSDMs have been applied are listed for comparison.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan W Arntzen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylvius Laboratory , Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden , The Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center , Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden , The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vučić T, Ivanović A, Ajduković M, Bajler N, Cvijanović M. The Reproductive Success of Triturus ivanbureschi × T. macedonicus F1 Hybrid Females (Amphibia: Salamandridae). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040443. [PMID: 35203151 PMCID: PMC8868055 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Two moderately related large-bodied newt species endemic to the Balkan Peninsula, the Balkan crested newt (Triturus ivanbureschi) and the Macedonian crested newt (T. macedonicus), coexist and hybridize in central Serbia. Many generations of mutual hybrid crossings and backcrossings with parental species shaped the genetic composition of hybrid populations. Natural populations have admixed nuclear DNA (nuDNA) of parental species and T. ivanbureschi mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is usually maternally inherited. The mechanisms that direct gene flow and shape the first generations of hybrids could explain the formation of hybrid zones and their maintenance in nature. We followed and compared life history traits related to reproduction of the first generation of reciprocal hybrids obtained by experimental crossing. Our results suggested that possible incompatibilities between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, which could lead to the exclusion of T. macedonicus mtDNA in natural populations, most likely act at later stages of development or subsequent hybrid generations. Results from this study add to the growing knowledge of Triturus hybrid biology and ecology, which is the baseline for conservation programs necessary to protect these highly endangered amphibians. Abstract Two large-bodied newt species, Triturus ivanbureschi and T. macedonicus, hybridize in nature across the Balkan Peninsula. Consequences of hybridization upon secondary contact of two species include species displacement and asymmetrical introgression of T. ivanbureschi mtDNA. We set an experimental reciprocal cross of parental species and obtained two genotypes of F1 hybrids (with T. ivanbureschi or T. macedonicus mtDNA). When hybrids attained sexual maturity, they were engaged in mutual crossings and backcrossing with parental species. We followed reproductive traits over two successive years. Our main aim was to explore the reproductive success of F1 females carrying different parental mtDNA. Additionally, we tested for differences in reproductive success within female genotypes depending on the crossing with various male genotypes (hybrids or parental species). Both female genotypes had similar oviposition periods, number of laid eggs and hatched larvae but different body and egg sizes. Overall reproductive success (percentage of egg-laying females and viability of embryos) was similar for both genotypes. The type of crossing led to some differences in reproductive success within female genotypes. The obtained results suggest that processes that led to exclusion of T. macedonicus mtDNA in natural populations may be related to the survival at postembryonic stages of F2 generation or reproductive barriers that emerged in subsequent hybrid generations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tijana Vučić
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.I.); (N.B.)
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Correspondence: (T.V.); (M.C.)
| | - Ana Ivanović
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.I.); (N.B.)
| | - Maja Ajduković
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Nikola Bajler
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.I.); (N.B.)
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milena Cvijanović
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Correspondence: (T.V.); (M.C.)
| |
Collapse
|