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Fulgione D, Maselli V, Rivieccio E, Aceto S, Salvemini M, Buglione M. Evolutionary Plasticity in Insular Lizard, Adapting over Reproduction, Metabolism, and Color Variation. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1478. [PMID: 38132304 PMCID: PMC10740616 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) living on islets exhibits a melanic skin coloration and a suite of adaptive traits lacking in nearby mainland populations. On islets, the unpredictable environmental conditions and highly fluctuating population densities are believed to have produced reversed island syndrome (RIS). Several physiological, behavioral, and life-history changes based on the RIS could result from positive selection on increased activity of melanocortins. We hypothesize that phenotypes on islets are the product of a plastic variation depending on the regulation of specific genes. Focusing on control systems that determine the insular-adapted phenotype, we demonstrated that reproductive markers, involved in the hypothalamus-hypophysis-gonadal axis, and metabolism markers, flags for hypophysis-melanocortin receptors, are all up-regulated in island lizards under the RIS. This behavior, combined with the observed limited variation in the mitochondrial genome, agrees with the hypothesis that plasticity enables populations to persist in novel environmental conditions and that over time, natural selection will "fine-tune" the population to the environment by modifying the phenotype under selection. We believe that analysis of the transcriptome and the single gene expression, such that all the variations observed in the island populations, can be useful to shed light on evolutionary plasticity as a process affecting animals' populations in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Fulgione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (S.A.); (M.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Valeria Maselli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (S.A.); (M.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Eleonora Rivieccio
- Department of Humanities Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Serena Aceto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (S.A.); (M.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Marco Salvemini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (S.A.); (M.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Maria Buglione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (S.A.); (M.S.); (M.B.)
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2
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BeVier GT, Ayton C, Brock KM. It ain’t easy being orange: lizard colour morphs occupying highly vegetated microhabitats suffer greater ectoparasitism. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-bja10097] [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
Intraspecific colour morphs usually differ in more traits than just colour. These traits can manifest as differences in morph physiology, behaviour, and ecology. Ecological differences among colour morphs, such as the degree of parasitism, can influence the evolution, maintenance, and loss of morphs from populations. High ectoparasite load can directly and deleteriously impact host fitness, and thus could influence colour morph persistence in populations if certain morphs are more frequently exposed to parasites or are more susceptible to parasitism. The Aegean wall lizard, Podarcis erhardii, is a colour polymorphic island lizard that is parasitized externally by ticks and mites. These ectoparasites can affect aspects of host lizard behaviour and physiology – including thermoregulation and body mass – and therefore are an important factor influencing the ecology and fitness of P. erhardii. We find that among sympatric colour morphs, ectoparasite loads differ; namely, monochromatic orange morphs have the highest numbers of ectoparasites, and in general, morphs with orange alleles (orange, orange-white, and orange-yellow) are more heavily parasitized by ticks and mites than the other morphs. Our results indicate that morphs with orange alleles tend to occupy microhabitats with significantly more vegetation cover and thus may increase their exposure to ticks and mites. Ecological differences between morphs could be an important factor contributing to demonstrated patterns of orange morph rarity and loss in P. erhardii populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cole Ayton
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Kinsey M. Brock
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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3
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Bury S, Kolanek A, Chylarecki P, Najbar B, Kurek K, Mazgajski TD. Climatic conditions and prevalence of melanistic snakes-contrasting effects of warm springs and mild winters. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2022; 66:1329-1338. [PMID: 35396943 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges that wildlife is facing. Rapid shifts in climatic conditions may accelerate evolutionary changes in populations as a result of strong selective pressure. Most studies focus on the impact of climatic conditions on phenologies and annual cycles, whereas there are fewer reports of empirical support for climate-driven changes in the phenotypic variability of free-living populations. We investigated whether climatic variables explain the prevalence of colour polymorphism in a population of the grass snake (Natrix natrix) with two morphotypes, the melanistic and non-melanistic ones, in the period 1981-2013. We found that the prevalence of the black phenotype was negatively related to spring temperature and winter harshness, expressed as the number of snow days. According to the thermal melanism hypothesis, a high predation rate during warmer springs may override relaxed thermal benefits and vice versa, i.e. black individuals may perform better than typical ones when thermal conditions in spring are unfavourable. In turn, because they are smaller, melanistic individuals may be exposed to a higher risk of winter mortality, particularly during longer winters. We highlight the need for more studies on the effects of climatic conditions on temporal variation in melanism prevalence in other populations and species as well as in various geographic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanisław Bury
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
- NATRIX Herpetological Association, Opolska 41/1, 52-010, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Kolanek
- NATRIX Herpetological Association, Opolska 41/1, 52-010, Wrocław, Poland
- Department of Geoinformatics and Cartography, Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wroclaw, pl. Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Przemysław Chylarecki
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Najbar
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, prof. Z. Szafrana 1, 65-516, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kurek
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Tomasz D Mazgajski
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warszawa, Poland
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4
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Goldenberg J, Bisschop K, D'Alba L, Shawkey MD. The link between body size, colouration and thermoregulation and their integration into ecogeographical rules: a critical appraisal in light of climate change. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Goldenberg
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures group, Dept of Biology, Ghent Univ. Ghent Belgium
| | - Karen Bisschop
- Inst. for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Univ. of Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, Dept of Biology, KU Leuven KULAK Kortrijk Belgium
| | - Liliana D'Alba
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures group, Dept of Biology, Ghent Univ. Ghent Belgium
| | - Matthew D. Shawkey
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures group, Dept of Biology, Ghent Univ. Ghent Belgium
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5
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Storniolo F, Zuffi MAL, Coladonato AJ, Di Vozzo L, Giglio G, Gini AE, Leonetti FL, Luccini S, Mangiacotti M, Scali S, Abate F, Sperone E, Tatini I, Sacchi R. Patterns of variations in dorsal colouration of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus. Biol Open 2021; 10:271968. [PMID: 34447997 PMCID: PMC8503538 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on animal colouration has grown exponentially in the last decade thanks to multidisciplinary approaches. Most studies are focused on trade-offs between communication and mimicry, which represent the two main constraints and drivers of the evolution of body colourations. Reptiles are excellent model species for investigating this field of study and lizards in particular show great variability of body colourations and their functions. We studied the lizard Podarcis siculus, analysing the variations of dorsal colour of three populations and obtained clear patterns of seasonal and ontogenetical variation of dorsal colour. According to baseline colour, males were greener and brighter than females, although no difference in saturation was recorded. According to seasonal variations, analyses showed that both sexes significantly vary in colour over the year: males reached higher peaks of hue and saturation later than females during spring, while females showed higher peaks of brightness and reached earlier similarly to hue and saturation. Ontogenetic variations were recorded only in males, which become greener, less bright and saturated with growing size. Therefore, our results suggest the occurrence of two opposing strategies in colour expression between sexes: males’ dorsal colouration plays a major role in communication, while females are more crypsis-oriented. Summary: This research paper focuses on the dorsal chromatic variations in Mediterranean lizards, analysing the effect of seasonality and ontogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Storniolo
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci (PI) 56011, Italy
| | - Marco A L Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci (PI) 56011, Italy
| | - Alan J Coladonato
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Viale Tamarelli 24, Pavia I-27100, Italy
| | - Loris Di Vozzo
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci (PI) 56011, Italy
| | - Gianni Giglio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy
| | - Andrea E Gini
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci (PI) 56011, Italy.,Faculty of Sciences, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, Pisa 5616, Italy
| | - Francesco L Leonetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy
| | - Simone Luccini
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci (PI) 56011, Italy
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Viale Tamarelli 24, Pavia I-27100, Italy.,Museo di Storia Naturale, Corso Venezia 55, Milano 20121, Italy
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Corso Venezia 55, Milano 20121, Italy
| | - Federico Abate
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Viale Tamarelli 24, Pavia I-27100, Italy
| | - Emilio Sperone
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy
| | - Irene Tatini
- Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci (PI) 56011, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Viale Tamarelli 24, Pavia I-27100, Italy
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Aguado S, Clusella-Trullas S. Intra-specific variation of thermal performance, skin reflectance and body size partially co-vary with climate in a lizard. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Thermal adaptation theory posits that variation of thermal traits such as those affecting thermal budgets and the performance of ectotherms should be associated with climate gradients. Under a simple scenario, thermal traits should also co-vary to shape optimal thermal phenotypes under a particular climate. However, geographical variation and covariation of thermal traits can result from other sources of selection and a wide range of other mechanisms. Here, we explore variation and covariation of skin reflectance (melanization), body size and thermal performance traits among three populations of the lizard Cordylus cordylus, a species endemic to South Africa. We also examine relationships between skin reflectance and substrate reflectance, body size and crevice size to test alternative hypotheses. We found partial support for predictions of thermal adaptation to climate regimes for body size, melanization and chill-coma recovery time. Darker lizards also performed optimally at higher temperatures than lighter coloured lizards but there was limited individual covariation between morphological and performance traits. Despite partial support for thermal adaptation, the complex interactions between sex and body size and between substrate reflectance and size underlying skin reflectance emphasized the importance of testing multiple hypotheses when exploring drivers of thermal trait variation within species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Aguado
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, and Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Biodiversidad (UMIB, CSIC-UO-PA), Oviedo, Spain
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7
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Bury S, Mazgajski TD, Najbar B, Zając B, Kurek K. Melanism, body size, and sex ratio in snakes-new data on the grass snake (Natrix natrix) and synthesis. Naturwissenschaften 2020; 107:22. [PMID: 32399792 PMCID: PMC7217809 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-020-01678-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
It is postulated that melanism in ectotherms is adaptive by enhancing thermoregulation, subsequent resource acquisition, and growth. Such effects may differ between the sexes as a result of the differential costs of self-maintenance and reproduction, but empirical support for the sex-specific consequences of melanism remains inconsistent. We studied the effects of melanism on body size and sex ratio in a population of the European grass snake (Natrix natrix) in SE Poland and also carried out a systematic review of the literature on the consequences of melanism in terrestrial snakes. Melanistic grass snakes of both sexes appeared to be smaller than the typical phenotype, which indicates higher predation pressure and minimal thermal benefits for black individuals. A female-biased sex ratio was observed in the typical phenotype, but not in melanistic snakes, suggesting that the costs for females and/or benefits for males are higher in melanistic individuals. In conjunction with earlier studies, our data indicate that the consequences of melanism may be related to the reproductive mode of species. In viviparous species, melanism tends to improve growth and/or body size and is more frequent in females, whereas the opposite holds for oviparous snakes. Further studies on melanism should examine a wider array of species with different reproductive strategies and traits beyond the usual thermal benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanisław Bury
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
- NATRIX Herpetological Association, Legnicka 65, 54-206, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Tomasz D Mazgajski
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Najbar
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, prof. Z. Szafrana 1, 65-516, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Zając
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kurek
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
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Nebel C, Harl J, Pajot A, Weissenböck H, Amar A, Sumasgutner P. High prevalence and genetic diversity of Haemoproteus columbae (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) in feral pigeons Columba livia in Cape Town, South Africa. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:447-463. [PMID: 31883048 PMCID: PMC6985069 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we explore blood parasite prevalence, infection intensity, and co-infection levels in an urban population of feral pigeons Columba livia in Cape Town. We analyze the effect of blood parasites on host body condition and the association between melanin expression in the host's plumage and parasite infection intensity and co-infection levels. Relating to the haemosporidian parasite itself, we study their genetic diversity by means of DNA barcoding (cytochrome b) and show the geographic and host distribution of related parasite lineages in pigeons worldwide. Blood from 195 C. livia individuals was collected from April to June 2018. Morphometric measurements and plumage melanism were recorded from every captured bird. Haemosporidian prevalence and infection intensity were determined by screening blood smears and parasite lineages by DNA sequencing. Prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. was high at 96.9%. The body condition of the hosts was negatively associated with infection intensity. However, infection intensity was unrelated to plumage melanism. The cytochrome b sequences revealed the presence of four Haemoproteus lineages in our population of pigeons, which show high levels of co-occurrence within individual birds. Three lineages (HAECOL1, COLIV03, COQUI05) belong to Haemoproteus columbae and differ only by 0.1% to 0.8% in the cytochrome b gene. Another lineage (COLIV06) differs by 8.3% from the latter ones and is not linked to a morphospecies, yet. No parasites of the genera Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Nebel
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Josef Harl
- Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrien Pajot
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 1 Cours du Général de Gaulle, Gradignan, France
| | | | - Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Petra Sumasgutner
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Konrad Lorenz Forschungsstelle, Core Facility for Behaviour and Cognition, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Gilbert AL, Brooks OL, Lattanzio MS. Multiple behavioral contexts of a melanized tail display in a desert lizard. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L. Gilbert
- Department of Biological Sciences Ohio University Athens Ohio
- Ohio Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies Athens Ohio
| | - Olivia L. Brooks
- Department of Biology John Carroll University University Heights Ohio
| | - Matthew S. Lattanzio
- Department of Organismal and Environmental Biology Christopher Newport University Newport News Virginia
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