1
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Jones W, Reifová R, Reif J, Synek P, Šíma M, Munclinger P. Sympatry in a nightingale contact zone has no effect on host-specific blood parasite prevalence and lineage diversity. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:357-366. [PMID: 38460721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.03.002] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Parasites are a key driving force behind many ecological and evolutionary processes. Prevalence and diversity of parasites, as well as their effects on hosts, are not uniform across host species. As such, the potential parasite spillover between species can significantly influence outcomes of interspecific interactions. We screened two species of Luscinia nightingales for haemosporidian blood parasites (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus) along an approximately 3000 km transect in Europe, incorporating areas of host distant allopatry, close allopatry and sympatry. We found significant differences in infection rates between the two host species, with common nightingales having much lower parasite prevalence than thrush nightingales (36.7% versus 83.8%). This disparity was mostly driven by Haemoproteus prevalence, which was significantly higher in thrush nightingales while common nightingales had a small, but significantly higher, Plasmodium prevalence. Furthermore, we found no effect of proximity to the contact zone on infection rate in either host species. Despite having lower infection prevalence, common nightingales were infected with a significantly higher diversity of parasite lineages than thrush nightingales, and lineage assemblages differed considerably between the two species, even in sympatry. This pattern was mostly driven by the large diversity of comparatively rare lineages, while the most abundant lineages were shared between the two host species. This suggests that, despite the close evolutionary relationships between the two nightingales, there are significant differences in parasite prevalence and diversity, regardless of the distance from the contact zone. This suggests that spillover of haemosporidian blood parasites is unlikely to contribute towards interspecific interactions in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Jones
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiří Reif
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Petr Synek
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia; Biodviser Ltd. Enterprise House 2 Pass Street Oldham, Manchester OL9 6HZ, United Kingdom
| | - Michal Šíma
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia; Department of Nanotoxicology and Molecular Epidemiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Munclinger
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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2
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Roycroft E, Ford F, Ramm T, Schembri R, Breed WG, Burns PA, Rowe KC, Moritz C. Speciation across biomes: Rapid diversification with reproductive isolation in the Australian delicate mice. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17301. [PMID: 38385302 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17301] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Phylogeographic studies of continental clades, especially when combined with palaeoclimate modelling, provide powerful insight into how environment drives speciation across climatic contexts. Australia, a continent characterized by disparate modern biomes and dynamic climate change, provides diverse opportunity to reconstruct the impact of past and present environments on diversification. Here, we use genomic-scale data (1310 exons and whole mitogenomes from 111 samples) to investigate Pleistocene diversification, cryptic diversity, and secondary contact in the Australian delicate mice (Hydromyini: Pseudomys), a recent radiation spanning almost all Australian environments. Across northern Australia, we find no evidence for introgression between cryptic lineages within Pseudomys delicatulus sensu lato, with palaeoclimate models supporting contraction and expansion of suitable habitat since the last glacial maximum. Despite multiple contact zones, we also find little evidence of introgression at a continental scale, with the exception of a potential hybrid zone in the mesic biome. In the arid zone, combined insights from genetic data and palaeomodels support a recent expansion in the arid specialist P. hermannsburgensis and contraction in the semi-arid P. bolami. In the face of repeated secondary contact, differences in sperm morphology and chromosomal rearrangements are potential mechanisms that maintain species boundaries in these recently diverged species. Additionally, we describe the western delicate mouse as a new species and recommend taxonomic reinstatement of the eastern delicate mouse. Overall, we show that speciation in an evolutionarily young and widespread clade has been driven by environmental change, and potentially maintained by divergence in reproductive morphology and chromosome rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Roycroft
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Fred Ford
- Biodiversity Conservation and Science, New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment, Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian National Wildlife Collection, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Till Ramm
- Zoo Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rhiannon Schembri
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia
| | - William G Breed
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Burns
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin C Rowe
- Sciences Department, Museums Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Craig Moritz
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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3
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Schlebusch SA, Rídl J, Poignet M, Ruiz-Ruano FJ, Reif J, Pajer P, Pačes J, Albrecht T, Suh A, Reifová R. Rapid gene content turnover on the germline-restricted chromosome in songbirds. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4579. [PMID: 37516764 PMCID: PMC10387091 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40308-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) of songbirds represents a taxonomically widespread example of programmed DNA elimination. Despite its apparent indispensability, we still know very little about the GRC's genetic composition, function, and evolutionary significance. Here we assemble the GRC in two closely related species, the common and thrush nightingale. In total we identify 192 genes across the two GRCs, with many of them present in multiple copies. Interestingly, the GRC appears to be under little selective pressure, with the genetic content differing dramatically between the two species and many GRC genes appearing to be pseudogenized fragments. Only one gene, cpeb1, has a complete coding region in all examined individuals of the two species and shows no copy number variation. The acquisition of this gene by the GRC corresponds with the earliest estimates of the GRC origin, making it a good candidate for the functional indispensability of the GRC in songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Schlebusch
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jakub Rídl
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Manon Poignet
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco J Ruiz-Ruano
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jiří Reif
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pajer
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, 160 01, Prague 6, San Antonio, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Pačes
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Albrecht
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander Suh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
- Department of Organismal Biology - Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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4
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Sperm morphology and performance in relation to postmating prezygotic isolation in two recently diverged passerine species. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22275. [PMID: 36566302 PMCID: PMC9789955 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26101-5] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Divergence in sperm phenotype and female reproductive environment may be a common source of postmating prezygotic (PMPZ) isolation between species. However, compared to other reproductive barriers it has received much less attention. In this study, we examined sperm morphology and velocity in two hybridizing passerine species, the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and thrush nightingale (L. luscinia). In addition, we for the first time characterized a passerine female reproductive tract fluid proteome. We demonstrate that spermatozoa of the common nightingale have significantly longer and wider midpiece (proximal part of the flagellum containing mitochondria) and longer tail compared to spermatozoa of thrush nightingale. On the other hand, they have significantly shorter and narrower acrosome. Importantly, these differences did not have any effect on sperm velocity. Furthermore, the fluid from the reproductive tract of common nightingale females did not differentially affect velocity of conspecific and heterospecific sperm. Our results indicate that the observed changes in the flagellum and acrosome size are unlikely to contribute to PMPZ isolation through differential sperm velocity of conspecific and heterospecific sperm in the female reproductive tract. However, they could affect other postcopulatory processes, which might be involved in PMPZ isolation, such as sperm storage, longevity or sperm-egg interaction.
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5
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Sotelo-Muñoz M, Poignet M, Albrecht T, Kauzál O, Dedukh D, Schlebusch SA, Janko K, Reifová R. Germline-restricted chromosome shows remarkable variation in size among closely related passerine species. Chromosoma 2022; 131:77-86. [PMID: 35389062 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-022-00771-6] [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: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Passerine birds have a supernumerary chromosome in their germ cells called the germline-restricted chromosome (GRC). The GRC was first discovered more than two decades ago in zebra finch but recent studies have suggested that it is likely present in all passerines, the most species rich avian order, encompassing more than half of all modern bird species. Despite its wide taxonomic distribution, studies on this chromosome are still scarce and limited to a few species. Here, we cytogenetically analyzed the GRC in five closely related estrildid finch species of the genus Lonchura. We show that the GRC varies enormously in size, ranging from a tiny micro-chromosome to one of the largest macro-chromosomes in the cell, not only among recently diverged species but also within species and sometimes even between germ cells of a single individual. In Lonchura atricapilla, we also observed variation in GRC copy number among male germ cells of a single individual. Finally, our analysis of hybrids between two Lonchura species with noticeably different GRC size directly supported maternal inheritance of the GRC. Our results reveal the extraordinarily dynamic nature of the GRC, which might be caused by frequent gains and losses of sequences on this chromosome leading to substantial differences in genetic composition of the GRC between and even within species. Such differences might theoretically contribute to reproductive isolation between species and thus accelerate the speciation rate of passerine birds compared to other bird lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuelita Sotelo-Muñoz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Manon Poignet
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Albrecht
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic.,Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 60365, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Kauzál
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 60365, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dmitrij Dedukh
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen A Schlebusch
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Janko
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic.
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6
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Poignet M, Johnson Pokorná M, Altmanová M, Majtánová Z, Dedukh D, Albrecht T, Reif J, Osiejuk TS, Reifová R. Comparison of Karyotypes in Two Hybridizing Passerine Species: Conserved Chromosomal Structure but Divergence in Centromeric Repeats. Front Genet 2021; 12:768987. [PMID: 34938317 PMCID: PMC8687609 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.768987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in chromosomal structure involving chromosomal rearrangements or copy number variation of specific sequences can play an important role in speciation. Here, we explored the chromosomal structure of two hybridizing passerine species; the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), using conventional cytogenetic approaches, immunostaining of meiotic chromosomes, fluorescence in situ hybridization as well as comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We found that the two nightingale species show conserved karyotypes with the same diploid chromosome number of 2n = 84. In addition to standard chromosomes, both species possessed a small germline restricted chromosome of similar size as a microchromosome. Just a few subtle changes in chromosome morphology were observed between the species, suggesting that only a limited number of chromosomal rearrangements occurred after the species divergence. The interspecific CGH experiment suggested that the two nightingale species might have diverged in centromeric repetitive sequences in most macro- and microchromosomes. In addition, some chromosomes showed changes in copy number of centromeric repeats between the species. The observation of very similar karyotypes in the two nightingale species is consistent with a generally slow rate of karyotype evolution in birds. The divergence of centromeric sequences between the two species could theoretically cause meiotic drive or reduced fertility in interspecific hybrids. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of chromosomal structural variations in nightingale speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Poignet
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Johnson Pokorná
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Altmanová
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Majtánová
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Dmitry Dedukh
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Albrecht
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Reif
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Tomasz S. Osiejuk
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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7
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Bemmels JB, Bramwell AC, Anderson SAS, Luzuriaga-Aveiga VE, Mikkelsen EK, Weir JT. Geographic contact drives increased reproductive isolation in two cryptic Empidonax flycatchers. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4833-4844. [PMID: 34347907 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Geographic contact between sister lineages often occurs near the final stages of speciation, but its role in speciation's completion remains debated. Reproductive isolation may be essentially complete prior to secondary contact. Alternatively, costly interactions between partially reproductively isolated species - such as maladaptive hybridization or competition for resources - may select for divergence, increasing reproductive isolation and driving speciation toward completion. Here, we use coalescent demographic modelling and whole-genome data sets to show that a period of contact and elevated hybridization between sympatric eastern North American populations of two cryptic bird species preceded a major increase in reproductive isolation between these populations within the last 10,000 years. In contrast, substantial introgression continues to the present in a western contact zone where geographic overlap is much narrower and probably of more recent origin. In the sympatric eastern region where reproductive isolation has increased, it is not accompanied by character displacement in key morphometric traits, plumage coloration, or ecological traits. While the precise trait and underlying mechanism driving increased reproductive isolation remains unknown, we discuss several possibilities and outline avenues for future research. Overall, our results highlight how demographic models can reveal the geographic context in which reproductive isolation was completed, and demonstrate how contact can accelerate the final stages of speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan B Bemmels
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ashley C Bramwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sean A S Anderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vanessa E Luzuriaga-Aveiga
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Else K Mikkelsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jason T Weir
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
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8
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Cramer ERA, Grønstøl G, Maxwell L, Kovach AI, Lifjeld JT. Sperm length divergence as a potential prezygotic barrier in a passerine hybrid zone. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:9489-9497. [PMID: 34306637 PMCID: PMC8293778 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The saltmarsh sparrow Ammospiza caudacuta and Nelson's sparrow A. nelsoni differ in ecological niche, mating behavior, and plumage, but they hybridize where their breeding distributions overlap. In this advanced hybrid zone, past interbreeding and current backcrossing result in substantial genomic introgression in both directions, although few hybrids are currently produced in most locations. However, because both species are nonterritorial and have only brief male-female interactions, it is difficult to determine to what extent assortative mating explains the low frequency of hybrid offspring. Since females often copulate with multiple males, a role of sperm as a postcopulatory prezygotic barrier appears plausible. Here, we show that sperm length differs between the two species in the hybrid zone, with low among-male variation consistent with strong postcopulatory sexual selection on sperm cells. We hypothesize that divergence in sperm length may constitute a reproductive barrier between species, as sperm length co-evolves with the size of specialized female sperm storage tubules. Sperm does not appear to act as a postzygotic barrier, as sperm from hybrids was unexceptional.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Logan Maxwell
- Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNHUSA
| | - Adrienne I. Kovach
- Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNHUSA
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9
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Cramer ERA, Garcia-del-Rey E, Johannessen LE, Laskemoen T, Marthinsen G, Johnsen A, Lifjeld JT. Longer Sperm Swim More Slowly in the Canary Islands Chiffchaff. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061358. [PMID: 34073133 PMCID: PMC8228216 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm swimming performance affects male fertilization success, particularly in species with high sperm competition. Understanding how sperm morphology impacts swimming performance is therefore important. Sperm swimming speed is hypothesized to increase with total sperm length, relative flagellum length (with the flagellum generating forward thrust), and relative midpiece length (as the midpiece contains the mitochondria). We tested these hypotheses and tested for divergence in sperm traits in five island populations of Canary Islands chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis). We confirmed incipient mitochondrial DNA differentiation between Gran Canaria and the other islands. Sperm swimming speed correlated negatively with total sperm length, did not correlate with relative flagellum length, and correlated negatively with relative midpiece length (for Gran Canaria only). The proportion of motile cells increased with relative flagellum length on Gran Canaria only. Sperm morphology was similar across islands. We thus add to a growing number of studies on passerine birds that do not support sperm morphology-swimming speed hypotheses. We suggest that the swimming mechanics of passerine sperm are sufficiently different from mammalian sperm that predictions from mammalian hydrodynamic models should no longer be applied for this taxon. While both sperm morphology and sperm swimming speed are likely under selection in passerines, the relationship between them requires further elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. A. Cramer
- Sex and Evolution Research Group, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway; (L.E.J.); (T.L.); (G.M.); (A.J.); (J.T.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eduardo Garcia-del-Rey
- Macaronesian Institute of Field Ornithology, 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain;
| | - Lars Erik Johannessen
- Sex and Evolution Research Group, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway; (L.E.J.); (T.L.); (G.M.); (A.J.); (J.T.L.)
| | - Terje Laskemoen
- Sex and Evolution Research Group, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway; (L.E.J.); (T.L.); (G.M.); (A.J.); (J.T.L.)
| | - Gunnhild Marthinsen
- Sex and Evolution Research Group, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway; (L.E.J.); (T.L.); (G.M.); (A.J.); (J.T.L.)
| | - Arild Johnsen
- Sex and Evolution Research Group, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway; (L.E.J.); (T.L.); (G.M.); (A.J.); (J.T.L.)
| | - Jan T. Lifjeld
- Sex and Evolution Research Group, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway; (L.E.J.); (T.L.); (G.M.); (A.J.); (J.T.L.)
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10
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Chebbo S, Josway S, Belote JM, Manier MK. A putative novel role for Eip74EF in male reproduction in promoting sperm elongation at the cost of male fecundity. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2020; 336:620-628. [PMID: 32725718 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa are the most morphologically variable cell type, yet little is known about genes controlling natural variation in sperm shape. Drosophila fruit flies have the longest sperm known, which are evolving under postcopulatory sexual selection, driven by sperm competition and cryptic female choice. Long sperm outcompete short sperm but primarily when females have a long seminal receptacle (SR), the primary sperm storage organ. Thus, the selection on sperm length is mediated by SR length, and the two traits are coevolving across the Drosophila lineage, driven by a genetic correlation and fitness advantage of long sperm and long SR genotypes in both males and females. Ecdysone-induced protein 74EF (Eip74EF) is expressed during postmeiotic stages of spermatogenesis when spermatid elongation occurs, and we found that it is rapidly evolving under positive selection in Drosophila. Hypomorphic knockout of the E74A isoform leads to shorter sperm but does not affect SR length, suggesting that E74A may be involved in promoting spermatid elongation but is not a genetic driver of male-female coevolution. We also found that E74A knockout has opposing effects on fecundity in males and females, with an increase in fecundity for males but a decrease in females, consistent with its documented role in oocyte maturation. Our results suggest a novel function of Eip74EF in spermatogenesis and demonstrates that this gene influences both male and female reproductive success. We speculate on possible roles for E74A in spermatogenesis and male reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif Chebbo
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sarah Josway
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - John M Belote
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Mollie K Manier
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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11
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Rometsch SJ, Torres-Dowdall J, Meyer A. Evolutionary dynamics of pre- and postzygotic reproductive isolation in cichlid fishes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190535. [PMID: 32654645 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cichlid fishes are exceptionally species-rich, speciated at explosive rates and, hence, are a model system in speciation research. Yet, their reproductive isolating barriers have, so far, not been comprehensively studied. Here, we review current knowledge on pre- and postzygotic mechanisms in cichlids. While premating isolation is the norm in cichlids, its strength varies across lineages and with the geographical setting. Moreover, manipulations of ambient conditions tended to reduce assortative mating among closely related species, suggesting that premating isolation in cichlids is often fragile and context dependent. The observed lack of complete reproductive isolation is supported by past and present hybridization events that have contributed to diversity by creating novel allelic combinations. On the other hand, our meta-analysis highlights that intrinsic postzygotic isolation might accumulate faster than assumed. Mild forms of genetic incompatibilities, such as sex ratio distortion, can already be observed among closely related species. Therefore, cessation of gene flow by strong reproductive isolation in cichlids requires a combination of premating prezygotic isolation supplemented with intrinsic and extrinsic postzygotic barriers. Further, we suggest crucial next steps to improve our knowledge about reproductive barriers in cichlids to understand the evolutionary dynamics of pre- and postzygotic isolation mechanisms during adaptive radiations. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards the completion of speciation: the evolution of reproductive isolation beyond the first barriers'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina J Rometsch
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Julián Torres-Dowdall
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Axel Meyer
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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12
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Sottas C, Reif J, Kreisinger J, Schmiedová L, Sam K, Osiejuk TS, Reifová R. Tracing the early steps of competition-driven eco-morphological divergence in two sister species of passerines. Evol Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-020-10050-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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13
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Lobov AA, Maltseva AL, Mikhailova NA, Granovitch AI. The Molecular Mechanisms of Gametic Incompatibility in Invertebrates. Acta Naturae 2019; 11:4-15. [PMID: 31720011 PMCID: PMC6826153 DOI: 10.32607/20758251-2019-11-3-4-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization (gamete fusion followed by zygote formation) is a multistage process. Each stage is mediated by ligand-receptor recognition of gamete interaction molecules. This recognition includes the movement of sperm in the gradient of egg chemoattractants, destruction of the egg envelope by acrosomal proteins, etc. Gametic incompatibility is one of the mechanisms of reproductive isolation. It is based on species-specific molecular interactions that prevent heterospecific fertilization. Although gametic incompatibility may occur in any sexually reproducing organism, it has been studied only in a few model species. Gamete interactions in different taxa involve generally similar processes, but they often employ non-homologous molecules. Gamete recognition proteins evolve rapidly, like immunity proteins, and include many taxon-specific families. In fact, recently appeared proteins particularly contribute to reproductive isolation via gametic incompatibility. Thus, we can assume a multiple, independent origin of this type of reproductive isolation throughout animal evolution. Gametic incompatibility can be achieved at any fertilization stage and entails different consequences at different taxonomic levels and ranges, from complete incompatibility between closely related species to partial incompatibility between distantly related taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. A. Lobov
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, St Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Laboratory of Regenerative Biomedicine, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - A. L. Maltseva
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, St Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - N. A. Mikhailova
- Centre of Cell Technologies, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - A. I. Granovitch
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, St Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
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14
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Larson EL, Brassil MM, Maslan J, Juárez D, Lilagan F, Tipton H, Schweitzer A, Skillman J, Monsen-Collar KJ, Peterson MA. The effects of heterospecific mating frequency on the strength of cryptic reproductive barriers. J Evol Biol 2019; 32:900-912. [PMID: 31162735 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Heterospecific mating frequency is critical to hybrid zone dynamics and can directly impact the strength of reproductive barriers and patterns of introgression. The effectiveness of post-mating prezygotic (PMPZ) reproductive barriers, which include reduced fecundity via heterospecific matings and conspecific sperm precedence, may depend on the number, identity and order of mates. Studies of PMPZ barriers suggest that they may be important in many systems, but whether these barriers are effective at realistic heterospecific mating frequencies has not been tested. Here, we evaluate the strength of cryptic reproductive isolation in two leaf beetles (Chrysochus auratus and C. cobaltinus) in the context of a range of heterospecific mating frequencies observed in natural populations. We found both species benefited from multiple matings, but the benefits were greater in C. cobaltinus and extended to heterospecific matings. We found that PMPZ barriers greatly limited hybrid production by C. auratus females with moderate heterospecific mating frequencies, but that their effectiveness diminished at higher heterospecific mating frequencies. In contrast, there was no evidence for PMPZ barriers in C. cobaltinus females at any heterospecific mating frequency. We show that integrating realistic estimates of cryptic isolation with information on relative abundance and heterospecific mating frequency in the field substantially improves our understanding of the strong directional bias in F1 production previously documented in the Chrysochus hybrid zone. Our results demonstrate that heterospecific mating frequency is critical to understanding the impact of cryptic post-copulatory barriers on hybrid zone structure and dynamics, and that future studies of such barriers should incorporate field-relevant heterospecific mating frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica L Larson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.,Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Margaret M Brassil
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Jonathan Maslan
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Danielle Juárez
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Flordeliza Lilagan
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Hallie Tipton
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Andrew Schweitzer
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Joe Skillman
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | | | - Merrill A Peterson
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
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15
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Poikela N, Kinnunen J, Wurdack M, Kauranen H, Schmitt T, Kankare M, Snook RR, Hoikkala A. Strength of sexual and postmating prezygotic barriers varies between sympatric populations with different histories and species abundances. Evolution 2019; 73:1182-1199. [PMID: 30957216 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The impact of different reproductive barriers on species or population isolation may vary in different stages of speciation depending on evolutionary forces acting within species and through species' interactions. Genetic incompatibilities between interacting species are expected to reinforce prezygotic barriers in sympatric populations and lead to cascade reinforcement between conspecific populations living within and outside the areas of sympatry. We tested these predictions and studied whether and how the strength and target of reinforcement between Drosophila montana and Drosophila flavomontana vary between sympatric populations with different histories and species abundances. All barriers between D. montana females and D. flavomontana males were nearly complete, while in the reciprocal cross strong postzygotic isolation was accompanied by prezygotic barriers whose strength varied according to population composition. Sexual isolation between D. flavomontana females and D. montana males was increased in long-established sympatric populations, where D. flavomontana is abundant, while postmating prezygotic (PMPZ) barriers were stronger in populations where this species is a new invader and still rare and where female discrimination against heterospecific males was lower. Strengthening of sexual and PMPZ barriers in this cross also induced cascade reinforcement of respective barriers between D. flavomontana populations, which is a classic signature of reinforcement process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noora Poikela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.,Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Kinnunen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Mareike Wurdack
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hannele Kauranen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maaria Kankare
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Rhonda R Snook
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anneli Hoikkala
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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