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Dufresnes C, Ghielmi S, Halpern B, Martínez-Freiría F, Mebert K, Jelić D, Crnobrnja-Isailović J, Gippner S, Jablonski D, Joger U, Laddaga L, Petrovan S, Tomović L, Vörös J, İğci N, Kariş M, Zinenko O, Ursenbacher S. Phylogenomic insights into the diversity and evolution of Palearctic vipers. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 197:108095. [PMID: 38729384 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108095] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Despite decades of molecular research, phylogenetic relationships in Palearctic vipers (genus Vipera) still essentially rely on a few loci, such as mitochondrial barcoding genes. Here we examined the diversity and evolution of Vipera with ddRAD-seq data from 33 representative species and subspecies. Phylogenomic analyses of ∼ 1.1 Mb recovered nine major clades corresponding to known species/species complexes which are generally consistent with the mitochondrial phylogeny, albeit with a few deep discrepancies that highlight past hybridization events. The most spectacular case is the Italian-endemic V. walser, which is grouped with the alpine genetic diversity of V. berus in the nuclear tree despite carrying a divergent mitogenome related to the Caucasian V. kaznakovi complex. Clustering analyses of SNPs suggest potential admixture between diverged Iberian taxa (V. aspis zinnikeri and V. seoanei), and confirm that the Anatolian V. pontica corresponds to occasional hybrids between V. (ammodytes) meridionalis and V. kaznakovi. Finally, all analyzed lineages of the V. berus complex (including V. walser and V. barani) form vast areas of admixture and may be delimited as subspecies. Our study sets grounds for future taxonomic and phylogeographic surveys on Palearctic vipers, a group of prime interest for toxinological, ecological, biogeographic and conservation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Dufresnes
- Laboratory for Amphibian Systematics and Evolutionary Research, College of Biology & the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China; Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE-PSL, Université des Antilles, Paris, France.
| | | | - Bálint Halpern
- MME Birdlife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Institute of Biology, ELTE-Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; HUN-REN - ELTE - MTM Integrative Ecology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Fernando Martínez-Freiría
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Konrad Mebert
- Global Biology, 5242 Birr, Switzerland; Institute of Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Dusan Jelić
- Croatian Institute for Biodiversity, BIOTA Ltd, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailović
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research « S. Stanković », University of Belgrade - National Institute for Republic of Serbia, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sven Gippner
- Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Daniel Jablonski
- Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ulrich Joger
- State Museum of Natural History, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Laddaga
- Società di Scienze Naturali del Verbano Cusio Ossola, Museo di Scienze Naturali, Collegio Mellerio Rosmini, Domodossola, Italy
| | - Silviu Petrovan
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Ljiljana Tomović
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Judit Vörös
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Naşit İğci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and Arts, Nevşehir Haci Bektaş Veli University, 50300 Nevşehir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Kariş
- Laboratory Technology Program, Acıgöl Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Nevşehir Haci Bektaş Veli University, 50300 Nevşehir, Türkiye
| | | | - Sylvain Ursenbacher
- info fauna - Karch, University of Neuchâtel, Avenue de Bellevaux 51, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary.
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2
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Khan M, Joshi M, Espeland M, Huemer P, Lopez-Vaamonde C, Mutanen M. Patterns of speciation in a parapatric pair of Saturnia moths as revealed by target capture. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17194. [PMID: 37933590 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17194] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The focus of this study has been to understand the evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of a widely distributed parapatric species pair of wild silk moths in Europe: Saturnia pavonia and Saturnia pavoniella (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). To address species delimitation in these parapatric taxa, target enrichment and mtDNA sequencing was employed alongside phylogenetic, admixture, introgression, and species delimitation analyses. The dataset included individuals from both species close to and farther away from the contact zone as well as two hybrids generated in the lab. Nuclear markers strongly supported both S. pavonia and S. pavoniella as two distinct species, with hybrids forming a sister group to S. pavoniella. However, the Maximum Likelihood (ML) tree generated from mtDNA sequencing data presented a different picture, showing both taxa to be phylogenetically intermixed. This inconsistency is likely attributable to mitonuclear discordance, which can arise from biological factors (e.g., introgressive hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting). Our analyses indicate that past introgressions have taken place, but that there is no evidence to suggest an ongoing admixture between the two species, demonstrating that the taxa have reached full postzygotic reproductive isolation and hence represent two distinct biological species. Finally, we discuss our results from an evolutionary point of view taking into consideration the past climatic oscillations that have likely shaped the present dynamics between the two species. Overall, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of the target enrichment approach in resolving shallow phylogenetic relationships under complex evolutionary circumstances and that this approach is useful in establishing robust and well-informed taxonomic delimitations involving parapatric taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Khan
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mukta Joshi
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marianne Espeland
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Huemer
- Tiroler Landesmuseen Betriebsges.m.b.H., Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen, Hall, Austria
| | | | - Marko Mutanen
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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3
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Freitas I, Tarroso P, Zuazo Ó, Zaldívar R, Álvarez J, Meijide-Fuentes M, Meijide F, Martínez-Freiría F. Local niches explain coexistence in environmentally-distinct contact zones between Western Mediterranean vipers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21113. [PMID: 38036614 PMCID: PMC10689498 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48204-3] [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: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Species' ecological niches are frequently analysed to gain insights into how anthropogenic changes affect biodiversity. Coping with these changes often involves shifts in niche expression, which can disrupt local biotic interactions. Secondary contact zones, where competition and ecological segregation commonly occur, are ideal for studying the ecological factors influencing species' niches. In this study, we investigated the effect of climate and landscape factors on the ecological niches of two viper species, Vipera aspis and Vipera latastei, across three contact zones in northern Iberia, characterized by varying levels of landscape alteration. Using niche overlap tests, ecological niche models and spatial analyses we observed local variation in the expression of the species' niches across the three contact zones, resulting from the different abiotic and biotic conditions of each area. Rather than spatial niche segregation, we observed high niche overlap, suggesting niche convergence. A pattern of asymmetrical niche variation was identified in all contact zones, driven by species' climatic tolerances and the environmental conditions of each area. V. aspis generally exhibited a wider niche, except in the southernmost zone where the pure Mediterranean climate favored V. latastei. Human-induced landscape changes intensified niche asymmetry, by favoring the most generalist V. aspis over the specialist V. latastei, increasing habitat overlap, and likely competition. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of niche expression at range margins, anticipating a heightened impact of landscape changes in V. latastei. The methodological framework implemented here, and our findings, hold significant relevance for biodiversity management and conservation in human-impacted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Freitas
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Tarroso
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Fernando Martínez-Freiría
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
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4
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Le Roux G, Guillon M, Bernard L, de Haro L, Lourdais O, Descatha A. What drives the risk of being bitten by a viper? A fine spatial scale study in western France. Toxicon 2023; 228:107130. [PMID: 37080341 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107130] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies on viper bites in France have focused on clinical consequences of envenomation, efficacy of antivenom and epidemiology of bites. Herein, we wanted to clarify temporal and spatial patterns in bite incidence using a fine spatial scale (municipality level). We focused on viper bites recorded over the last 10 years in 4 regions of western France. We addressed the determinants of bite occurrence and number of bites considering the following variables: predicted probability of viper presence, species (V. aspis or V. berus), climatic data, tourism function rate, soil transformation and landscape use. 703 bite cases were retained with significant disparities between areas. Bites occurred either during a garden-related activity (339 cases, 51.2%) or during an activity in the countryside (300 cases, 45.3%). The probability of presence of a viper at the municipality level positively influenced the risk of being bitten (multiplied by 3 for a variation in probability of 0.25 from 0.5) but varied between species (lower in V. berus than V. aspis). Artificial land development had a positive effect on bite risks. Finally, a tourism function rate above 50 beds/100 inhabitants was strongly associated with an increase in the risk of occurrence and frequency of bites. Overall, viper bites recorded in our study were concentrated on the south coastline of Pays de la Loire region. The coastal towns are significant areas of tourist attraction and are located close to preserved semi-natural landscapes that provide favorable habitats for vipers. This convergence may favor human/wildlife encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Roux
- Poison Control Center, Academic Hospital CHU Angers, F-49000, Angers, France; University of Angers, Academic Hospital CHU Angers CHU Angers, University of Rennes, INSERM, École des Hautes études en Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset) UMR_S 1085, F-49000, Angers, France.
| | - Michaël Guillon
- Centre D'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372- Université de La Rochelle, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France; Cistude Nature, Chemin Du Moulinat, 33185, Le Haillan, France
| | - Lise Bernard
- Poison Control Center, Academic Hospital CHU Angers, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Luc de Haro
- Poison Control Center, Academic Hospital APHM, F-13000, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Lourdais
- Centre D'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372- Université de La Rochelle, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Alexis Descatha
- Poison Control Center, Academic Hospital CHU Angers, F-49000, Angers, France; University of Angers, Academic Hospital CHU Angers CHU Angers, University of Rennes, INSERM, École des Hautes études en Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset) UMR_S 1085, F-49000, Angers, France
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5
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Spangenberg V, Redekop I, Simanovsky SA, Kolomiets O. Cytogenetic Analysis of the Bimodal Karyotype of the Common European Adder, Vipera berus (Viperidae). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:3563. [PMID: 36552484 PMCID: PMC9774092 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243563] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Vipera berus is the species with the largest range of snakes on Earth and one of the largest among reptiles in general. It is also the only snake species found in the Arctic Circle. Vipera berus is the most involved species of the genus Vipera in the process of interspecific hybridization in nature. The taxonomy of the genus Vipera is based on molecular markers and morphology and requires clarification using SC-karyotyping. This work is a detailed comparative study of the somatic and meiotic karyotypes of V. berus, with special attention to DNA and protein markers associated with synaptonemal complexes. The karyotype of V. berus is a remarkable example of a bimodal karyotype containing both 16 large macrochromosomes and 20 microchromosomes. We traced the stages of the asynchronous assembly of both types of bivalents. The number of crossing-over sites per pachytene nucleus, the localization of the nucleolar organizer, and the unique heterochromatin block on the autosomal bivalent 6-an important marker-were determined. Our results show that the average number of crossing-over sites per pachytene nucleus is 49.5, and the number of MLH1 sites per bivalent 1 reached 11, which is comparable to several species of agamas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Spangenberg
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, RAS, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Ilya Redekop
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, RAS, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS, Moscow 119071, Russia
- Moscow Region State Pedagogical University, Mytischi 141014, Russia
| | | | - Oxana Kolomiets
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, RAS, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Nanni Geser S, Ursenbacher S. Multiple paternity in the Asp viper. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Nanni Geser
- Section of Conservation Biology Department of Environmental Sciences University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - S. Ursenbacher
- Section of Conservation Biology Department of Environmental Sciences University of Basel Basel Switzerland
- Info fauna ‐ CSCF & Karch Neuchâtel Switzerland
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Siigur J, Siigur E. Biochemistry and toxicology of proteins and peptides purified from the venom of Vipera berus berus. Toxicon X 2022; 15:100131. [PMID: 35769869 PMCID: PMC9234072 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The isolation and characterization of individual snake venom components is important for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of envenomation and for improving the therapeutic procedures of patients. It also opens possibilities for the discovery of novel toxins that might be useful as tools for understanding cellular and molecular processes. The variable venom composition, toxicological and immunological properties of the common vipers (Vipera berus berus) have been reviewed. The combination of venom gland transcriptomics, bottom-up and top-down proteomics enabled comparison of common viper venom proteomes from multiple individuals. V. b. berus venom contains proteins and peptides belonging to 10–15 toxin families: snake venom metalloproteinase, phospholipases A2 (PLA2), snake venom serine proteinase, aspartic protease, L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), hyaluronidase, 5′-nucleotidase, glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase, disintegrin, C-type lectin (snaclec), nerve growth factor, Kunitz type serine protease inhibitor, snake venom vascular endothelial growth factor, cysteine-rich secretory protein, bradykinin potentiating peptide, natriuretic peptides. PLA2 and LAAO from V. b. berus venom produce more pronounced cytotoxic effects in cancer cells than normal cells, via induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and suppression of proliferation. Proteomic data of V. b. berus venoms from different parts of Russia and Slovakian Republic have been compared with analogous data for Vipera nikolskii venom. Proteomic studies demonstrated quantitative differences in the composition of V. b. berus venom from different geographical regions. Differences in the venom composition of V. berus were mainly driven by the age, sex, habitat and diet of the snakes. The venom variability of V. berus results in a loss of antivenom efficacy against snakebites. The effectiveness of antibodies is discussed. This review presents an overview with a special focus on different toxins that have been isolated and characterized from the venoms of V. b. berus. Their main biochemical properties and toxic actions are described. Vipera berus berus venom composition is variable among different populations. Venom contains about 15 protein/peptide families. It disturbs blood coagulation inducing pro- or anticoagulant effects. Venom contains different types of blood factor X activators. PLA2 and L-amino acid oxidase produce cytotoxic effects in cancer cells.
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Zwahlen V, Lourdais O, Ursenbacher S, Guiller G. Rare genetic admixture and unidirectional gene flow between Vipera aspis and Vipera berus at their contact zone in western France. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-bja10091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Asp vipers (Vipera aspis) and adders (Vipera berus) coexist in the Loire-Atlantique department in France where the two species reach their respective range limits. This contact zone is of special interest since hybridization has been recently discovered there. We carried out extensive sampling to further investigate the hybrid status of morphologically typical individuals and to evaluate the proportion of genetically admixed individuals in this area. Using microsatellite markers, no hybrids with typical morphological traits of either asp vipers or adders were detected. All recently investigated individuals with intermediate morphological traits were shown to be hybrids. A rather low proportion of genetically admixed individuals (1.5-3%) and a very small number of supposed second-generation hybrids suggest reduced fertility of first-generation hybrids or low viability of their progeny. The investigation of mtDNA of newly sampled hybrids support the finding that hybridization only occurs between female V. aspis and male V. berus. Several possible explanations for the unidirectional hybridization are discussed and consequent future studies suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Zwahlen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Vorstadt 10, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Lourdais
- Centre d’Études Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Sylvain Ursenbacher
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Vorstadt 10, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- info fauna – CSCF & karch, Avenue Bellevaux 51, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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9
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Doniol‐Valcroze P, Ursenbacher S, Mebert K, Ghielmi S, Laddaga L, Sourrouille P, Kariş M, Crochet P. Conflicting relationships of
Vipera walser
inferred from nuclear genes sequences and mitochondrial DNA. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvain Ursenbacher
- Department of Environmental Sciences Section of Conservation Biology University of Basel Basel Switzerland
- Info fauna ‐ karch University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Konrad Mebert
- IDECCInstitute of Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation Rome Italy
| | - Samuele Ghielmi
- Tropical Biodiversity Section MUSE ‐ Museo delle Scienze Trento Italy
| | - Lorenzo Laddaga
- Società di Scienze Naturali del Verbano Cusio Ossola Museo di Scienze Naturali Collegio Mellerio Rosmini Domodossola Italy
| | | | - Mert Kariş
- Program of Laboratory Technology Department of Chemistry and Chemical Process Technologies Acıgöl Vocational School of Technical Sciences Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Nevşehir Turkey
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Martínez-Castro A, Kaliontzopoulou A, Freitas I, Martínez-Freiría F. Macroevolutionary variation and environmental correlates of scalation traits in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Understanding how phenotypic variation across species is shaped by the combination of shared evolutionary history and environmental factors is key to elucidating the processes that underlie biodiversity. In reptiles, morphological traits have traditionally been used to delimit species and make systematic inferences. Recent studies highlight the possibility that phenotypic variation, particularly in scalation traits, might instead be driven by environmental factors and therefore not reflect the phylogenetic relationships among species. In this study, we combined morphological and ecological data in a macroevolutionary framework, in order to describe the morphological variation across species of Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae), investigate the phylogenetic structure of scalation traits and test the contribution of environmental factors in shaping morphological patterns. We found considerable variation in all examined traits, which, in most cases, agreed with the phylogenetic relationships among species, reinforcing their usefulness for taxonomic inferences. Interestingly, however, the number of ventral scales exhibited lower phylogenetic signal and a tight association with environmental factors of geographical ranges, suggesting potential adaptive or developmental sources of variation in the trait. This is the first comparative study of macroevolutionary variation in scalation traits in Eurasian vipers, validating the use of most of them for systematic inferences, but also indicating possible environmental factors that might shape phenotypic variation across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Martínez-Castro
- Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales, CSIC. C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Inês Freitas
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Fernando Martínez-Freiría
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas, Vairão, Portugal
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11
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Mebert K, Passos P, Fernandes DS, Entiauspe-Neto OM, Alvez FQ, Machado AS, Lopes RT. A New Species of Snail-Eating Snake, Dipsas Cope, 1860 (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dipsadinae), from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-17-00112.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Mebert
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, 45662-900, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Paulo Passos
- Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristovão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20940-040, Brazil
| | - Daniel S. Fernandes
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Centro de Ciências e Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco A, sala AO-92, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Omar Machado Entiauspe-Neto
- Laboratório de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Avenida Itália Km 8, 96203-900, Vila Carreiros, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fatima Queiroz Alvez
- Comissão Executiva do Plano da Lavoura Cacaueira/Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau, Rodovia Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 22, P.B. 7, 45600-000, Itabuna, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Alessandra S. Machado
- Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Engenharia, Laboratório de Instrumentação Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21941-450, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T. Lopes
- Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Engenharia, Laboratório de Instrumentação Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21941-450, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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12
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Bauwens D, Claus K, Mergeay J. Genotyping validates photo-identification by the head scale pattern in a large population of the European adder ( Vipera berus). Ecol Evol 2018; 8:2985-2992. [PMID: 29531711 PMCID: PMC5838086 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Capture-mark-recapture procedures are a basic tool in population studies and require that individual animals are correctly identified throughout their lifetime. A method that has become more and more popular uses photographic records of natural markings, such as pigmentation pattern and scalation configuration. As with any other marking tool, the validity of the photographic identification technique should be evaluated thoroughly. Here, we report on a large-scale double-marking study in which European adders (Vipera berus) were identified by both microsatellite genetic markers and by the pattern of head scalation. Samples that were successfully genotyped for all nine loci yielded 624 unique genotypes, which matched on a one-to-one basis with the individual assignments based on the head scalation pattern. Thus, adders considered as different individuals by their genotypes were also identified as different individuals by their head scalation pattern, and vice versa. Overall, variation in the numbers, shape, and arrangement of the head scales enabled us to distinguish among 3200+ photographed individual snakes. Adders that were repeatedly sequenced genetically over intervals of 2-3 years showed no indication whatsoever for a change in the head scale pattern. Photographic records of 900+ adders that were recaptured over periods of up to 12 years showed a very detailed and precise match of the head scale characteristics. These natural marks are thus robust over time and do not change during an individual's lifetime. With very low frequency (0.3%), we detected small changes in scalation that were readily discernible and could be attributed to physical injury or infection. Our study provides a conclusive validation for the use of photo-identification by head scale patterns in the European adder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Bauwens
- Department of BiologyLaboratory of Functional MorphologyUniversity of AntwerpWilrijkBelgium
| | - Katja Claus
- Department of BiologyLaboratory of Functional MorphologyUniversity of AntwerpWilrijkBelgium
| | - Joachim Mergeay
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)Gaverstraat 49500 GeraardsbergenBelgium
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