1
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Cejp B, Griebeler E. Body Mass Shapes Most Life History Traits and a Fast-Slow Continuum in Amphibians. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70377. [PMID: 39385839 PMCID: PMC11461140 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70377] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Amphibians have the least studied life histories among vertebrates, although they have unique and the most diverse life histories within this group. We compiled a new dataset on adult body mass and 16 other life history traits of 2069 amphibian species across three orders (1796 frogs, 236 salamanders, 37 caecilians). These traits characterise fecundity, offspring development from egg deposition to metamorphosis and adult life. We established allometric models on traits for all amphibians and each of the three orders to assess a potential scaling of traits to body mass and then checked whether allometric slopes were consistent with two different metabolic scaling exponents. Further, we examined a possible fast-slow continuum in all amphibians, as well as in each of the two orders frogs and salamanders by applying principal component analysis (PCA) to five traits. Our allometric models indicated a positive scaling to body mass for 11 traits across all amphibians, 12 in frogs, and 10 in salamanders, and for five out of eight traits analysed in caecilians. Allometric slopes on most traits characterising offspring development were not significant. All slopes did not support a three-quarter metabolic scaling exponent, whereas slopes on age at maturity and maximum longevity were consistent with an amphibian metabolic scaling exponent of 0.88. As in fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals, the first axes of our PCAs indicated a body mass-dependent fast-slow continuum in amphibians. Amphibian species of slow life histories have larger body masses, later sexual maturities and longer lifespans and lay more and larger eggs than species of fast life histories, a pattern also known from reptiles. The second axes indicated a trade-off between egg size and number. As this trade-off was nearly independent of body mass, we hypothesise that amphibians have occupied a broad range of ecological niches without evolutionary changes in body mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cejp
- Institut für Organismische und Molekulare EvolutionsbiologieJohannes Gutenberg‐Universität MainzMainzGermany
| | - Eva Maria Griebeler
- Institut für Organismische und Molekulare EvolutionsbiologieJohannes Gutenberg‐Universität MainzMainzGermany
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2
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Maggs X. A synthetic review: natural history of amniote reproductive modes in light of comparative evolutionary genomics. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39300750 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13145] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
There is a current lack of consensus on whether the ancestral parity mode was oviparity (egg-laying) or viviparity (live-birth) in amniotes and particularly in squamates (snakes, lizards, and amphisbaenids). How transitions between parity modes occur at the genomic level has primary importance for how science conceptualises the origin of amniotes, and highly variable parity modes in Squamata. Synthesising literature from medicine, poultry science, reproductive biology, and evolutionary biology, I review the genomics and physiology of five broad processes (here termed the 'Main Five') expected to change during transitions between parity modes: eggshell formation, embryonic retention, placentation, calcium transport, and maternal-fetal immune dynamics. Throughout, I offer alternative perspectives and testable hypotheses regarding proximate causes of parity mode evolution in amniotes and squamates. If viviparity did evolve early in the history of lepidosaurs, I offer the nucleation site hypothesis as a proximate explanation. The framework of this hypothesis can be extended to amniotes to infer their ancestral state. I also provide a mechanism and hypothesis on how squamates may transition from viviparity to oviparity and make predictions about the directionality of transitions in three species. After considering evidence for differing perspectives on amniote origins, I offer a framework that unifies (i) the extended embryonic retention model and (ii) the traditional model which describes the amniote egg as an adaptation to the terrestrial environment. Additionally, this review contextualises the origin of amniotes and parity mode evolution within Medawar's paradigm. Medawar posited that pregnancy could be supported by immunosuppression, inertness, evasion, or immunological barriers. I demonstrate that this does not support gestation or gravidity across most amniotes but may be an adequate paradigm to explain how the first amniote tolerated internal fertilization and delayed egg deposition. In this context, the eggshell can be thought of as an immunological barrier. If serving as a barrier underpins the origin of the amniote eggshell, there should be evidence that oviparous gravidity can be met with a lack of immunological responses in utero. Rare examples of two species that differentially express very few genes during gravidity, suggestive of an absent immunological reaction to oviparous gravidity, are two skinks Lampropholis guichenoti and Lerista bougainvillii. These species may serve as good models for the original amniote egg. Overall, this review grounds itself in the historical literature while offering a modern perspective on the origin of amniotes. I encourage the scientific community to utilise this review as a resource in evolutionary and comparative genomics studies, embrace the complexity of the system, and thoughtfully consider the frameworks proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Maggs
- Richard Gilder Graduate School at The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York, NY, 10024, USA
- Christopher S. Bond Life Science Center at the University of Missouri, 1201 Rollins St, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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3
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Morão IFC, Simões T, Casado RB, Vieira S, Ferreira-Airaud B, Caliani I, Di Noi A, Casini S, Fossi MC, Lemos MFL, Novais SC. Metal accumulation in female green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Eastern Atlantic affects their egg quality with potential implications for embryonic development. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172710. [PMID: 38670375 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Sea turtles, with their global distribution and complex life cycle, often accumulate pollutants such as metals and metalloids due to their extended lifespan and feeding habits. However, there are limited studies exploring the impact of metal pollution on the reproductive health of female sea turtles, specifically focusing on the quality of their eggs, which has significant implications for the future generations of these charismatic animals. São Tomé Island, a crucial nesting and feeding habitat for green sea turtles, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research in this ecologically significant area. This study aimed to investigate whether metals and metalloids in the blood of nesting female green sea turtles induce genotoxic effects in their erythrocytes and affect their egg morphometric characteristics and the composition of related compartments. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate whether the quality of energetic reserves for embryo development (fatty acids in yolk's polar and neutral lipids) is influenced by the contamination status of their predecessors. Results revealed correlations between Cu and Hg levels and increased "lobed" erythrocytes, while As and Cu negatively influenced shell thickness. In terms of energy reserves, both polar and neutral lipid fractions contained primarily saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, with prevalent 18:1n-9, 18:0, 16:0, 14:0, and 12:0 fatty acids in yolk samples. The yolk polar fraction was more susceptible to contaminant levels in female sea turtles, showing consistent negative correlations between pollution load index and essential n3 fatty acids, including linolenic, eicosatrienoic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosapentaenoic acids, crucial for embryonic development. These metals accumulation, coupled with the reduced availability of these key fatty acids, may disrupt the eicosanoid and other important pathways, affecting reproductive development. This study reveals a negative correlation between metal contamination in female sea turtles' blood and egg lipid reserves, raising concerns about embryonic development and the species' future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês F C Morão
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências & CESAM, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Tiago Simões
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal
| | - Roger B Casado
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal
| | - Sara Vieira
- Associação Programa Tatô, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe; Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Betânia Ferreira-Airaud
- Associação Programa Tatô, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe; Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Ilaria Caliani
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Agata Di Noi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Casini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria C Fossi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco F L Lemos
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal
| | - Sara C Novais
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal.
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4
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Liu F, Jiang X, Chen Z, Wang L. Mechanical design principles of avian eggshells for survivability. Acta Biomater 2024; 178:233-243. [PMID: 38423350 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.02.036] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Biological materials exhibit complex structure-property relationships which are designed by nature's evolution over millions of years. Unlocking the fundamental physical principles behind these relationships is crucial for creating bioinspired materials and structures with advanced functionalities. The eggshell is a remarkable example with a well-designed structure to balance the trade-off as it provides mechanical protection while still being easy for hatching. In this study, we investigate the underlying mechanical design principles of chicken eggshells under various loading conditions through a combination of experiments and simulations. The unique geometry and structure of the eggshell play a critical role in achieving an excellent balance between mechanical toughness and ease of hatching. The effects of eggshell membranes are elucidated to tune the mechanical properties of the eggshell to further enhance this balance. Moreover, a mechanics-based three-index model is proposed based on these design principles, suggesting the optimal eggshell thickness design to improve survivability across a broad range of avian species with varying egg sizes. The survivability-design relationships hold great potential for the development of improved structural materials for applications in sports safety equipment and the packaging industry. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The fundamental physical principles underlying the complex structure-property relationships in biological materials are uncovered in this study, with a particular focus on chicken eggshells as a prime example. Through the investigation of their mechanical design, we reveal the critical role of eggshell geometry and structure in achieving a balance between toughness and ease of hatching. Specifically, the crack resting effect is observed, making the eggshell easier to break from the inside than from the outside. Additionally, we explore the influence of eggshell membranes on this balance, contributing to the enhancement of the eggshell's mechanical properties. For the first time, we propose a three-index model that uncovers the underlying principles governing the evolution of eggshell thickness. This model suggests optimal thickness designs for diverse avian species, with the goal of enhancing egg survivability. These findings can guide the development of improved structural materials with advanced functionalities, enabling greater safety and efficiency in a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xihang Jiang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Zi Chen
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lifeng Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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5
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Jiang B, He Y, Elsler A, Wang S, Keating JN, Song J, Kearns SL, Benton MJ. Extended embryo retention and viviparity in the first amniotes. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1131-1140. [PMID: 37308704 PMCID: PMC10333127 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02074-0] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The amniotic egg with its complex fetal membranes was a key innovation in vertebrate evolution that enabled the great diversification of reptiles, birds and mammals. It is debated whether these fetal membranes evolved in eggs on land as an adaptation to the terrestrial environment or to control antagonistic fetal-maternal interaction in association with extended embryo retention (EER). Here we report an oviparous choristodere from the Lower Cretaceous period of northeast China. The ossification sequence of the embryo confirms that choristoderes are basal archosauromorphs. The discovery of oviparity in this assumed viviparous extinct clade, together with existing evidence, suggests that EER was the primitive reproductive mode in basal archosauromorphs. Phylogenetic comparative analyses on extant and extinct amniotes suggest that the first amniote displayed EER (including viviparity).
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yiming He
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Armin Elsler
- School of Earth Sciences, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Shengyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Joseph N Keating
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junyi Song
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Stuart L Kearns
- School of Earth Sciences, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael J Benton
- School of Earth Sciences, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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6
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Legendre LJ, Choi S, Clarke JA. The diverse terminology of reptile eggshell microstructure and its effect on phylogenetic comparative analyses. J Anat 2022; 241:641-666. [PMID: 35758681 PMCID: PMC9358755 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13723] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptile eggshell ensures water and gas exchange during incubation and plays a key role in reproductive success. The diversity of reptilian incubation and life history strategies has led to many clade-specific structural adaptations of their eggshell, which have been studied in extant taxa (i.e. birds, crocodilians, turtles, and lepidosaurs). Most studies on non-avian eggshells were performed over 30 years ago and categorized reptile eggshells into two main types: "hard" and "soft" - sometimes with a third intermediate category, "semi-rigid." In recent years, however, debate over the evolution of eggshell structure of major reptile clades has revealed how definitions of hard and soft eggshells influence inferred deep-time evolutionary patterns. Here, we review the diversity of extant and fossil eggshell with a focus on major reptile clades, and the criteria that have been used to define hard, soft, and semi-rigid eggshells. We show that all scoring approaches that retain these categories discretize continuous quantitative traits (e.g. eggshell thickness) and do not consider independent variation of other functionally important microstructural traits (e.g. degree of calcification, shell unit inner structure). We demonstrate the effect of three published approaches to discretizing eggshell type into hard, semi-rigid, and soft on ancestral state reconstructions using 200+ species representing all major extant and extinct reptile clades. These approaches result in different ancestral states for all major clades including Archosauria and Dinosauria, despite a difference in scoring for only 1-4% of the sample. Proposed scenarios of reptile eggshell evolution are highly conditioned by sampling, tree calibration, and lack of congruence between definitions of eggshell type. We conclude that the traditional "soft/hard/semi-rigid" classification of reptilian eggshells should be abandoned and provide guidelines for future descriptions focusing on specific functionally relevant characteristics (e.g. inner structures of shell units, pores, and membrane elements), analyses of these traits in a phylogenetic context, and sampling of previously undescribed taxa, including fossil eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J. Legendre
- Department of Geological SciencesUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
| | - Seung Choi
- Department of Earth SciencesMontana State UniversityBozemanMontanaUSA
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Julia A. Clarke
- Department of Geological SciencesUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
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7
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Starck JM, Stewart JR, Blackburn DG. Phylogeny and evolutionary history of the amniote egg. J Morphol 2021; 282:1080-1122. [PMID: 33991358 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We review morphological features of the amniote egg and embryos in a comparative phylogenetic framework, including all major clades of extant vertebrates. We discuss 40 characters that are relevant for an analysis of the evolutionary history of the vertebrate egg. Special attention is given to the morphology of the cellular yolk sac, the eggshell, and extraembryonic membranes. Many features that are typically assigned to amniotes, such as a large yolk sac, delayed egg deposition, and terrestrial reproduction have evolved independently and convergently in numerous clades of vertebrates. We use phylogenetic character mapping and ancestral character state reconstruction as tools to recognize sequence, order, and patterns of morphological evolution and deduce a hypothesis of the evolutionary history of the amniote egg. Besides amnion and chorioallantois, amniotes ancestrally possess copulatory organs (secondarily reduced in most birds), internal fertilization, and delayed deposition of eggs that contain an embryo in the primitive streak or early somite stage. Except for the amnion, chorioallantois, and amniote type of eggshell, these features evolved convergently in almost all major clades of aquatic vertebrates possibly in response to selective factors such as egg predation, hostile environmental conditions for egg development, or to adjust hatching of young to favorable season. A functionally important feature of the amnion membrane is its myogenic contractility that moves the (early) embryo and prevents adhering of the growing embryo to extraembryonic materials. This function of the amnion membrane and the liquid-filled amnion cavity may have evolved under the requirements of delayed deposition of eggs that contain developing embryos. The chorioallantois is a temporary embryonic exchange organ that supports embryonic development. A possible evolutionary scenario is that the amniote egg presents an exaptation that paved the evolutionary pathway for reproduction on land. As shown by numerous examples from anamniotes, reproduction on land has occurred multiple times among vertebrates-the amniote egg presenting one "solution" that enabled the conquest of land for reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Matthias Starck
- Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - James R Stewart
- Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
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8
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D'Alba L, Goldenberg J, Nallapaneni A, Parkinson DY, Zhu C, Vanthournout B, Shawkey MD. Evolution of eggshell structure in relation to nesting ecology in non-avian reptiles. J Morphol 2021; 282:1066-1079. [PMID: 33713039 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Amniotic eggs are multifunctional structures that enabled early tetrapods to colonize the land millions of years ago, and are now the reproductive mode of over 70% of all terrestrial amniotes. Eggshell morphology is at the core of animal survival, mediating the interactions between embryos and their environment, and has evolved into a massive diversity of forms and functions in modern reptiles. These functions are critical to embryonic survival and may serve as models for new antimicrobial and/or breathable membranes. However, we still lack critical data on the basic structural and functional properties of eggs, particularly of reptiles. Here, we first characterized egg shape, shell thickness, porosity, and mineralization of eggs from 91 reptile species using optical images, scanning electron microscopy, and micro computed tomography, and collected data on nesting ecology from the literature. We then used comparative analyses to test hypotheses on the selective pressures driving their evolution. We hypothesized that eggshell morphology has evolved to protect shells from physical damage and desiccation, and, in support, found a positive relationship between thickness and precipitation, and a negative relationship between porosity and temperature. Although mineralization varied extensively, it was not correlated with nesting ecology variables. Ancestral state reconstructions show thinning and increased porosity over evolutionary time in squamates, but the opposite in turtles and crocodilians. Egg shape, size, porosity and calcification were correlated, suggesting potential structural or developmental tradeoffs. This study provides new data and insights into the morphology and evolution of reptile eggs, and raises numerous questions for additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana D'Alba
- Department of Biology, EON-Unit, Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Asritha Nallapaneni
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Dilworth Y Parkinson
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Chenhui Zhu
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
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9
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Jiménez-Robles O, Miranda-Calle AB, De la Riva I. Lizard Oviparity at High Elevations?The Case of the Bolivian Endemic Liolaemus variegatus. SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-18-00071.1] [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)
- Octavio Jiménez-Robles
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - A. Bruno Miranda-Calle
- Colección Boliviana de Fauna, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Ignacio De la Riva
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Del Pino EM. From egg to embryo in marsupial frogs. Curr Top Dev Biol 2020; 145:91-109. [PMID: 34074537 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Marsupial frogs (Hemiphractidae) evolved exceptional mechanisms for the conquest of terrestrial life. These adaptations include very large eggs. In some species eggs reach 10mm in diameter, and are considered to be the largest in frogs. Females have reproductive modifications for the incubation of embryos in their bodies. Modifications of embryos include adaptations for development inside the body of the mother, and changes in the developmental pattern. Moreover, in some species, oocytes are multinucleated instead of having a single germinal vesicle as in most vertebrates. This chapter provides an overview of the adaptations of marsupial frogs associated with terrestrial life, with a discussion of gastrulation and multinucleated oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia M Del Pino
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.
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11
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Beltrán I, Durand V, Loiseleur R, Whiting MJ. Effect of early thermal environment on the morphology and performance of a lizard species with bimodal reproduction. J Comp Physiol B 2020; 190:795-809. [PMID: 32951106 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-020-01312-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Early developmental environments influence life-history traits and survival of reptiles. In fact, rising global temperatures have already caused widespread extinctions among lizards. Viviparous species might be more susceptible to increasing temperatures because of their inability to meet their energetic demands following rapid environmental changes. Nevertheless, we do not yet fully understand how lizards with different reproductive modes can respond to climate change. We investigated the effect of both maternal thermal environment during pregnancy and incubation temperature on hatchling morphology and physiological performance of two populations of the lizard Saiphos equalis differing in their mode of reproduction, to test whether reproductive mode affects the ability to buffer against rising temperatures. Gravid females from both populations were subjected to current or projected end-of-century (future) thermal environments, to evaluate differences in the body size, growth rate, thermal preference, and locomotor performance of their offspring. Our results show that independently of the mode of reproduction, high temperatures accelerated gestation periods. Thermal environments did not affect hatchling thermal preference, but viviparous hatchlings consistently preferred lower temperatures. Unlike viviparous lizards, oviparous hatchlings incubated under future temperatures were smaller and had a lower growth rate compared to current-incubated hatchlings. Finally, thermal environments did not affect hatchling endurance and speed when controlling for body size. Our results show that global warming is likely to have a negative impact on S. equalis, but suggest that some of its effects may be ameliorated by maternal responses during pregnancy, particularly in viviparous populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Beltrán
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Victorien Durand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of the Sciences of Life, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, Alsace, France
| | - Rebecca Loiseleur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of the Sciences of Life, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, Alsace, France
| | - Martin J Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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12
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Hermyt M, Metscher B, Rupik W. Do all geckos hatch in the same way? Histological and
3D
studies of egg tooth morphogenesis in the geckos
Eublepharis macularius
Blyth 1854 and
Lepidodactylus lugubris
Duméril & Bibron 1836. J Morphol 2020; 281:1313-1327. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Hermyt
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection University of Silesia in Katowice Katowice Poland
| | - Brian Metscher
- Department of Evolutionary Biology University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Weronika Rupik
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection University of Silesia in Katowice Katowice Poland
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13
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O'Hanlon JC, Jones BR, Bulbert MW. The dynamic eggs of the Phasmatodea and their apparent convergence with plants. Naturwissenschaften 2020; 107:34. [PMID: 32737596 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-020-01690-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The egg stages of animal life cycles are underappreciated in terms of their capacity for dispersal, protection, and biotic and abiotic interactions. Some of the most intriguing egg morphologies are seen in stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea). Phasmids are charismatic insects, particularly due to their incredible camouflage, though a lesser-known fact is that their eggs are incredibly diverse in shape and structure, reflecting varying ecological niches. Perhaps most remarkable are those eggs which appear to resemble plant seeds in both their appearance and means of dispersal, such as via water and animal vectors. Numerous hypotheses surrounding the function of these egg morphologies and their apparent convergence with seeds have been proposed; however, empirical evidence remains lacking. Here, we present an initial synthesis of available evidence surrounding the ecology and dispersal strategies of phasmid eggs and weigh up the evidence for convergent evolution between phasmid eggs and seeds. In doing so, we highlight areas where further research is needed and discuss how the ecology of phasmid eggs may interplay with other aspects of phasmid ecology, distribution, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C O'Hanlon
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, 2350, Australia.
| | - Braxton R Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Matthew W Bulbert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
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14
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Effects of early thermal environment on the behavior and learning of a lizard with bimodal reproduction. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02849-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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15
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Hallmann K, Griebeler EM. An identification of invariants in life history traits of amphibians and reptiles. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:1233-1251. [PMID: 32076510 PMCID: PMC7029084 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While many morphological, physiological, and ecological characteristics of organisms scale with body size, some do not change under size transformation. They are called invariant. A recent study recommended five criteria for identifying invariant traits. These are based on that a trait exhibits a unimodal central tendency and varies over a limited range with body mass (type I), or that it does not vary systematically with body mass (type II). We methodologically improved these criteria and then applied them to life history traits of amphibians, Anura, Caudata (eleven traits), and reptiles (eight traits). The numbers of invariant traits identified by criteria differed across amphibian orders and between amphibians and reptiles. Reproductive output (maximum number of reproductive events per year), incubation time, length of larval period, and metamorphosis size were type I and II invariant across amphibians. In both amphibian orders, reproductive output and metamorphosis size were type I and II invariant. In Anura, incubation time and length of larval period and in Caudata, incubation time were further type II invariant. In reptiles, however, only number of clutches per year was invariant (type II). All these differences could reflect that in reptiles body size and in amphibians, Anura, and Caudata metamorphosis (neotenic species go not through it) and the trend toward independence of egg and larval development from water additionally constrained life history evolution. We further demonstrate that all invariance criteria worked for amphibian and reptilian life history traits, although we corroborated some known and identified new limitations to their application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Hallmann
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution – Evolutionary EcologyJohannes Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
| | - Eva Maria Griebeler
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution – Evolutionary EcologyJohannes Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
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16
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Hallmann K, Griebeler EM. An exploration of differences in the scaling of life history traits with body mass within reptiles and between amniotes. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:5480-5494. [PMID: 29938067 PMCID: PMC6010814 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4069] [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: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Allometric relationships linking species characteristics to body size or mass (scaling) are important in biology. However, studies on the scaling of life history traits in the reptiles (the nonavian Reptilia) are rather scarce, especially for the clades Crocodilia, Testudines, and Rhynchocephalia (single extant species, the tuatara). Previous studies on the scaling of reptilian life history traits indicated that they differ from those seen in the other amniotes (mammals and birds), but so far most comparative studies used small species samples and also not phylogenetically informed analyses. Here, we analyzed the scaling of nine life history traits with adult body mass for crocodiles (n = 22), squamates (n = 294), turtles (n = 52), and reptiles (n = 369). We used for the first time a phylogenetically informed approach for crocodiles, turtles, and the whole group of reptiles. We explored differences in scaling relationships between the reptilian clades Crocodilia, Squamata, and Testudines as well as differences between reptiles, mammals, and birds. Finally, we applied our scaling relationships, in order to gain new insights into the degree of the exceptionality of the tuatara's life history within reptiles. We observed for none of the life history traits studied any difference in their scaling with body mass between squamates, crocodiles, and turtles, except for clutch size and egg weight showing small differences between these groups. Compared to birds and mammals, scaling relationships of reptiles were similar for time-related traits, but they differed for reproductive traits. The tuatara's life history is more similar to that of a similar-sized turtle or crocodile than to a squamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Hallmann
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution – Evolutionary EcologyJohannes Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzRhineland‐PalatinateGermany
| | - Eva Maria Griebeler
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution – Evolutionary EcologyJohannes Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzRhineland‐PalatinateGermany
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17
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Fujiwara SI, Kawai H. Crabs grab strongly depending on mechanical advantages of pinching and disarticulation of chela. J Morphol 2016; 277:1259-72. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shin-ichi Fujiwara
- Nagoya University Museum, Nagoya University, Furocho; Chikusa-ku Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawai
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furocho; Chikusa-Ku Nagoya 466-8601 Japan
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