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Yamagishi G, Miyagawa S. Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction and Social Behaviors in Reptiles: Advances Made in the Last Decade. Zoolog Sci 2024; 41:87-96. [PMID: 38587521 DOI: 10.2108/zs230060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Among amniotes, reptiles are ectothermic and are clearly distinguished from mammals and birds. Reptiles show great diversity not only in species numbers, but also in ecological and physiological features. Although their physiological diversity is an interesting research topic, less effort has been made compared to that for mammals and birds, in part due to lack of established experimental models and techniques. However, progress, especially in the field of neuroendocrinology, has been steadily made. With this process, basic data on selected reptilian species have been collected. This review article presents the progress made in the last decade, which includes 1) behavioral regulation by sex steroid hormones, 2) regulation of seasonal reproduction by melatonin and GnRH, and 3) regulation of social interaction by arginine vasotocin. Through these research topics, we provide insights into the physiology of reptiles and the latest findings in the field of amniote neuroendocrinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genki Yamagishi
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan,
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan,
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2
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Scali S, Sacchi R, Gozzo E, Chiesa S, Coladonato AJ, Zuffi MAL, Mangiacotti M. The size of a smell: assessment of rival’s relative size from femoral secretions in the common wall lizards, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768). Behav Ecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animal communication depends on signals conveying information to a receiver who must perceive and decode them. Signals involved in territoriality are usually complex stimuli that should be correctly interpreted to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Lacertids use both visual and chemical stimuli in modulating their aggressive response against conspecifics and the rival’s size is one of the most important information, affecting the success probability in combat. To assess the actual ability of decoding information about a rival’s size based on its chemical stimulus alone, 60 males of Podarcis muralis were tested for three consecutive days in an arena bearing a mirror (to simulate an equal-sized intruder), and the chemical cues (femoral secretions) from an unknown individual of different size. Significant differences were observed in tongue-flicks number, which grew as the size difference between the focal lizard and the secretion donor decreased. This can be interpreted as the need for the lizard to better evaluate the potential competitor’s characteristics. The size difference also affected the number of bites against the mirror. They increased when the size of the focal lizard was larger than the donor triggering the aggressive response with a higher probability of winning the contest. This confirms that the focal lizard had correctly decoded the information about the opponent’s size by chemical stimulus. Although previous studies have shown that some components of the chemical signals are potentially informative about the signaler’s size, this is the first demonstration that male P. muralis is actually able to decode and use such information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Scali
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano , Corso Venezia 55, I-20121 Milano , Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università di Pavia , Viale Torquato Taramelli 24, I-27100, Pavia , Italy
| | - Elisabetta Gozzo
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano , Corso Venezia 55, I-20121 Milano , Italy
| | - Stefano Chiesa
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano , Corso Venezia 55, I-20121 Milano , Italy
| | - Alan J Coladonato
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università di Pavia , Viale Torquato Taramelli 24, I-27100, Pavia , Italy
| | - Marco A L Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Università di Pisa , Via Roma 79 , I-56011 Calci, PI , Italy
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università di Pavia , Viale Torquato Taramelli 24, I-27100, Pavia , Italy
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3
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Poma-Soto F, Narváez AE, Romero-Carvajal A. Visual Signaling in the Semi-Fossorial Lizard Pholidobolus montium (Gymnophthalmidae). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113022. [PMID: 34827756 PMCID: PMC8614464 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Lizards display multiple communication modalities, through chemical, visual, vocal, or tactile signals which mediate sociality, reproduction, territoriality, competition, and other complex interactions among individuals. In some species that dwell on the surface, it has been shown that multimodal communication is possible, for example, visual and chemical communication. It is less known if lizards that dwell in caves or burrows (fossorial) also use visual signals. By studying behavior in a semi-fossorial lizard from the northern Ecuadorian Andes, we have discovered that they can use visual signals like leg movements and body arching to communicate. In this manuscript, we describe these observations and discuss the potential roles of these signals. This is the first description of such behaviors in semi-fossorial lizards. Abstract It has been suggested that gymnophthalmids, like most semi-fossorial lacertoids, rely more in chemical cues to communicate, in comparison to other groups, like Iguanids, on which communication is mostly based on visual signaling. We present the first description of visual signaling in the Andean lizard Pholidobolusmontium (Gymnophthalmidae) and a complete ethogram based on ex situ observations (34 different types of behaviors including positions and simple movements). Through the design of conspecific stimulus experiments, we were able to recognize leg-waving as a visual signal, as it is only displayed in presence of conspecifics or in presence of a mirror and was one of first and most frequent displays in this context. We also detected other visual displays like neck-arching and tail-undulation which may also be relevant as visual signals. Based on our results, we propose that visual signaling is also possible in semi-fossorial lizards; however, further studies regarding chemical signal recognition and color detection are required to confirm our hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Poma-Soto
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170525, Ecuador
| | - Andrea E. Narváez
- Fundacion Great Leaf, De las Azucenas N47-60 y Av. Eloy Alfaro, Quito 170503, Ecuador
| | - Andrés Romero-Carvajal
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170525, Ecuador
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +593-22-991700 (ext. 1280)
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4
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Campos SM, Belkasim SS. Chemical Communication in Lizards and a Potential Role for Vasotocin in Modulating Social Interactions. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:205-220. [PMID: 33940600 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lizards use chemical communication to mediate many reproductive, competitive, and social behaviors, but the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying chemical communication in lizards are not well understood and understudied. By implementing a neuroendocrine approach to the study of chemical communication in reptiles, we can address a major gap in our knowledge of the evolutionary mechanisms shaping chemical communication in vertebrates. The neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its mammalian homolog vasopressin are responsible for a broad spectrum of diversity in competitive and reproductive strategies in many vertebrates, mediating social behavior through the chemosensory modality. In this review, we posit that, though limited, the available data on AVT-mediated chemical communication in lizards reveal intriguing patterns that suggest AVT plays a more prominent role in lizard chemosensory behavior than previously appreciated. We argue that these results warrant more research into the mechanisms used by AVT to modify the performance of chemosensory behavior and responses to conspecific chemical signals. We first provide a broad overview of the known social functions of chemical signals in lizards, the glandular sources of chemical signal production in lizards (e.g., epidermal secretory glands), and the chemosensory detection methods and mechanisms used by lizards. Then, we review the locations of vasotocinergic populations and neuronal projections in lizard brains, as well as sites of peripheral receptors for AVT in lizards. Finally, we end with a case study in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis), discussing findings from recently published work on the impact of AVT in adult males on chemosensory communication during social interactions, adding new data from a similar study in which we tested the impact of AVT on chemosensory behavior of adult females. We offer concluding remarks on addressing several fundamental questions regarding the role of AVT in chemosensory communication and social behavior in lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Campos
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Selma S Belkasim
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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5
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The Effects of Limited Visual Acuity and Context on the Appearance of Anolis Lizard Dewlaps. J HERPETOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1670/19-108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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6
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Kaczmarek P, Janiszewska K, Metscher B, Rupik W. Development of the squamate naso-palatal complex: detailed 3D analysis of the vomeronasal organ and nasal cavity in the brown anole Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Iguania). Front Zool 2020; 17:28. [PMID: 32983242 PMCID: PMC7507828 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-020-00369-7] [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: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the diverse morphology of the adult squamate naso-palatal complex - consisting of the nasal cavity, vomeronasal organ (VNO), choanal groove, lacrimal duct and superficial palate - little is known about the embryology of these structures. Moreover, there are no comprehensive studies concerning development of the nasal cavity and VNO in relation to the superficial palate. In this investigation, we used X-ray microtomography and histological sections to describe embryonic development of the naso-palatal complex of iguanian lizard, the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). The purpose of the study was to describe the mechanism of formation of adult morphology in this species, which combines the peculiar anole features with typical iguanian conditions. Considering the uncertain phylogenetic position of the Iguania within Squamata, embryological data and future comparative studies may shed new light on the evolution of this large squamate clade. Results Development of the naso-palatal complex was divided into three phases: early, middle and late. In the early developmental phase, the vomeronasal pit originates from medial outpocketing of the nasal pit, when the facial prominences are weakly developed. In the middle developmental phase, the following events can be noted: the formation of the frontonasal mass, separation of the vestibulum, appearance of the lacrimal duct, and formation of the choanal groove, which leads to separation of the VNO from the nasal cavity. In late development, the nasal cavity and the VNO attain their adult morphology. The lacrimal duct establishes an extensive connection with the choanal groove, which eventually becomes largely separated from the oral cavity. Conclusions Unlike in other tetrapods, the primordium of the lacrimal duct in the brown anole develops largely beyond the nasolacrimal groove. In contrast to previous studies on squamates, the maxillary prominence is found to participate in the initial fusion with the frontonasal mass. Moreover, formation of the choanal groove occurs due to the fusion of the vomerine cushion to the subconchal fold, rather than to the choanal fold. The loss or significant reduction of the lateral nasal concha is secondary. Some features of anole adult morphology, such as the closure of the choanal groove, may constitute adaptations to vomeronasal chemoreception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Kaczmarek
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Janiszewska
- Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Brian Metscher
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Weronika Rupik
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
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7
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Campos SM, Rojas V, Wilczynski W. Arginine vasotocin impacts chemosensory behavior during social interactions of Anolis carolinensis lizards. Horm Behav 2020; 124:104772. [PMID: 32439348 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In reptiles, arginine vasotocin (AVT) impacts the performance of and response to visual social signals, but whether AVT also operates within the chemosensory system as arginine vasopressin (AVP) does in mammals is unknown, despite social odors being potent modifiers of competitive and appetitive behavior in reptiles. Here, we ask whether elevated levels of exogenous AVT impact rates of chemical display behavior (e.g. tongue flicks) in adult males, and whether conspecific males or females can chemically discriminate between competitor males based on differing levels of exogenous AVT in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis). We injected wild-caught green anole males with either AVT (AVT-Males) or a vehicle control (CON-Males) solution, then presented treated males with a conspecific stimulus (Intruder-Male or Intruder-Female) and filmed 30-minute interactions. We found that AVT-Males were faster than CON-Males to perform a tongue flick to conspecifics, and faster to chemically display toward Intruder-Females, suggesting AVT increased male interest in available chemical information during social encounters. Intruders performed more lip smack behavior when interacting with AVT-Males than with CON-Males, and Intruder-Males performed more tongue flick behavior when interacting with AVT-Males than with CON-Males, suggesting anoles can discriminate between conspecifics based on exogenous AVT levels. We also found a reduction in Intruder movement behavior when Intruders were paired with AVT-Males. This study provides empirical support for AVT-mediated chemosensory behavior in reptilian social interactions, in a microsmatic lizard species, suggesting the mechanism by which mammalian AVP and non-mammalian AVT mediate chemosensory behavior during social interactions may be evolutionarily conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Campos
- Georgia State University, Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Valentina Rojas
- Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción, Chile; Universidad Catolica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Walter Wilczynski
- Georgia State University, Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA, USA
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8
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Dees A, Wilson K, Reali C, Pruett JE, Hall JM, Brandt R, Warner DA. Communal egg‐laying behaviour and the consequences of egg aggregation in the brown anole (
Anolis sagrei
). Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Allison Dees
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Kayla Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alabama at Huntsville Huntsville AL USA
| | - Chanel Reali
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Jenna E. Pruett
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Joshua M. Hall
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Renata Brandt
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
- School of the Environment Laurentian University Sudbury ON Canada
- Science North Sudbury ON Canada
| | - Daniel A. Warner
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
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9
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Mangiacotti M, Fumagalli M, Cagnone M, Viglio S, Bardoni AM, Scali S, Sacchi R. Morph-specific protein patterns in the femoral gland secretions of a colour polymorphic lizard. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8412. [PMID: 31182789 PMCID: PMC6557888 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44889-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Colour polymorphism occurs when two or more genetically-based colour morphs permanently coexist within an interbreeding population. Colouration is usually associated to other life-history traits (ecological, physiological, behavioural, reproductive …) of the bearer, thus being the phenotypic marker of such set of genetic features. This visual badge may be used to inform conspecifics and to drive those decision making processes which may contribute maintaining colour polymorphism under sexual selection context. The importance of such information suggests that other communication modalities should be recruited to ensure its transfer in case visual cues were insufficient. Here, for the first time, we investigated the potential role of proteins from femoral gland secretions in signalling colour morph in a polymorphic lizard. As proteins are thought to convey identity-related information, they represent the ideal cues to build up the chemical modality used to badge colour morphs. We found strong evidence for the occurrence of morph-specific protein profiles in the three main colour-morphs of the common wall lizard, which showed both qualitative and quantitative differences in protein expression. As lizards are able to detect proteins by tongue-flicking and vomeronasal organ, this result support the hypothesis that colour polymorphic lizards may use a multimodal signal to inform about colour-morph.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mangiacotti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Marco Fumagalli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "L.Spallanzani", Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maddalena Cagnone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via T. Taramelli 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Simona Viglio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via T. Taramelli 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Bardoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Via T. Taramelli 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Scali
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, 20121, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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10
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First experimental evidence that proteins from femoral glands convey identity-related information in a lizard. Acta Ethol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-018-00307-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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11
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Baeckens S, Driessens T, Huyghe K, Vanhooydonck B, Van Damme R. Intraspecific Variation in the Information Content of an Ornament: Why Relative Dewlap Size Signals Bite Force in Some, But Not All Island Populations of Anolis sagrei. Integr Comp Biol 2018; 58:25-37. [PMID: 29697838 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In many animals, male secondary sexual traits advertise reliable information on fighting capacity in a male-male context. The iconic sexual signaling device of anole lizards, the dewlap, has been extensively studied in this respect. For several territorial anole species (experiencing strong intrasexual selection), there is evidence for a positive association between dewlap size and bite capacity, which is an important determinant of combat outcome in lizards. Intriguingly, earlier studies did not find this expected correlation (relative dewlap size-relative bite force) in the highly territorial brown anole lizard, Anolis sagrei. We hypothesize that the dewlap size-bite force relationship can differ among populations of the same species due to interpopulation variation in the degree of male-male competition. In line with this thought, we expect dewlap size to serve as a reliable predictor of bite performance only in those populations where the level of intrasexual selection is high. To tackle this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between male dewlap size and bite force on the intraspecific level in A. sagrei, using an extensive dataset encompassing information from 17 island populations distributed throughout the Caribbean. First, we assessed and compared the relationship between both variables in the 17 populations under study. Second, we linked the relative dewlap size-bite force relationship within each population to variation in the degree of intrasexual selection among populations, using sexual size dimorphism and dewlap display intensity as surrogate measures. Our results showed that absolute dewlap size is an excellent predictor of maximum bite force in nearly all A. sagrei populations. However, relative dewlap size is only an honest signal of bite performance in 4 out of the 17 populations. Surprisingly, the level of signal honesty did not correlate with the strength of intrasexual selection. We offer a number of conceptual and methodological explanations for this unexpected finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Baeckens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium.,Museum of Comparative Zoology, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Tess Driessens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Katleen Huyghe
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Bieke Vanhooydonck
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
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12
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García-Roa R, Jara M, Baeckens S, López P, Van Damme R, Martín J, Pincheira-Donoso D. Macroevolutionary diversification of glands for chemical communication in squamate reptiles. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9288. [PMID: 28839252 PMCID: PMC5570929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09083-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical communication plays a central role in social, sexual and ecological interactions among animals. However, the macroevolutionary diversification of traits responsible for chemical signaling remains fundamentally unknown. Most research investigating evolutionary diversification of glands responsible for the production of chemical signals has focused on arthropods, while its study among vertebrates remains neglected. Using a global-scale dataset covering > 80% (7,904 species) of the living diversity of lizards and snakes (squamates), we investigate rates, trajectories and phylogenetic patterns of diversification of their follicular glands for chemical communication. We observed these glands in 13.66% of species, that their expression has varying phylogenetic signal among lineages, and that the crown squamate ancestor lacked follicular glands, which therefore originated and diversified subsequently during their evolutionary history. Additionally, our findings challenge the longstanding view that within squamates the Iguania are visually oriented while Scleroglossa are chemically-oriented, given that Iguania doubles Scleroglossa in the frequency of glands. Our phylogenetic analyses identified stabilizing selection as the best model describing follicular gland diversification, and revealed high rates of disparity. We provide the first global-scale analysis investigating the diversification of one of the main forms of communication among reptiles, presenting a macroevolutionary angle to questions traditionally explored at microevolutionary scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto García-Roa
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences - Spanish Research Council (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain. .,Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Brayford Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, United Kingdom.
| | - Manuel Jara
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Brayford Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Baeckens
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Pilar López
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences - Spanish Research Council (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences - Spanish Research Council (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Pincheira-Donoso
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Brayford Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, United Kingdom
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13
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Driessens T, Baeckens S, Balzarolo M, Vanhooydonck B, Huyghe K, Van Damme R. Climate-related environmental variation in a visual signalling device: the male and female dewlap inAnolis sagreilizards. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:1846-1861. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Driessens
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | - S. Baeckens
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | - M. Balzarolo
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | - B. Vanhooydonck
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | - K. Huyghe
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | - R. Van Damme
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
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14
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García-Roa R, Jara M, López P, Martín J, Pincheira-Donoso D. Heterogeneous tempo and mode of evolutionary diversification of compounds in lizard chemical signals. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:1286-1296. [PMID: 28303197 PMCID: PMC5306189 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Important part of the multivariate selection shaping social and interspecific interactions among and within animal species emerges from communication. Therefore, understanding the diversification of signals for animal communication is a central endeavor in evolutionary biology. Over the last decade, the rapid development of phylogenetic approaches has promoted a stream of studies investigating evolution of communication signals. However, comparative research has primarily focused on visual and acoustic signals, while the evolution of chemical signals remains largely unstudied. An increasing interest in understanding the evolution of chemical communication has been inspired by the realization that chemical signals underlie some of the major interaction channels in a wide range of organisms. In lizards, in particular, chemosignals play paramount roles in female choice and male-male competition, and during community assembly and speciation. Here, using phylogenetic macro-evolutionary modeling, we show for the very first time that multiple compounds of scents for communication in lizards have diversified following highly different evolutionary speeds and trajectories. Our results suggest that cholesterol, α-tocopherol, and cholesta-5,7-dien-3-ol have been subject to stabilizing selection (Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model), whereas the remaining compounds are better described by Brownian motion modes of evolution. Additionally, the diversification of the individual compounds has accumulated substantial relative disparity over time. Thus, our study reveals that the chemical components of lizard chemosignals have proliferated across different species following compound-specific directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto García-Roa
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (MNCN-CSIC) Madrid Spain; Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations School of Life Sciences Joseph Banks Laboratories University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
| | - Manuel Jara
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations School of Life Sciences Joseph Banks Laboratories University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (MNCN-CSIC) Madrid Spain
| | - José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (MNCN-CSIC) Madrid Spain
| | - Daniel Pincheira-Donoso
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations School of Life Sciences Joseph Banks Laboratories University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
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15
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Baeckens S, Van Damme R, Cooper WE. How phylogeny and foraging ecology drive the level of chemosensory exploration in lizards and snakes. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:627-640. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Baeckens
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Wilrijk Belgium
| | - R. Van Damme
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Wilrijk Belgium
| | - W. E. Cooper
- Department of Biology; Indiana University; Fort Wayne IN USA
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