scholarly journals Macroevolutionary integration of phenotypes within and across ant worker castes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas R. Friedman ◽  
Beatrice Lecroq Bennet ◽  
Georg Fischer ◽  
Eli M. Sarnat ◽  
Jen-Pan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Social Insect ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Important Process ◽  
Head Shape ◽  
Rate Heterogeneity ◽  
Minor Worker ◽  
Phylogenetic Framework ◽  
Worker Castes

AbstractPhenotypic traits are often integrated into evolutionary modules: sets of organismal parts that evolve together. In social insect colonies the concepts of integration and modularity apply to sets of traits both within and among functionally and phenotypically differentiated castes. On macroevolutionary timescales, patterns of integration and modularity within and across castes can be clues to the selective and ecological factors shaping their evolution and diversification. We develop a set of hypotheses describing contrasting patterns of worker integration and apply this framework in a broad (246 species) comparative analysis of major and minor worker evolution in the hyperdiverse ant genusPheidole. Using geometric morphometrics in a phylogenetic framework, we inferred fast and tightly integrated evolution of mesosoma shape between major and minor workers, but slower and more independent evolution of head shape between the two worker castes. Thus,Pheidoleworkers are evolving as a mixture of intra- and inter-caste integration and rate heterogeneity. The decoupling of homologous traits across worker castes may represent an important process facilitating the rise of social complexity.

scholarly journals A Morphological Integration Perspective on the Evolution of Dimorphism among Sexes and Social Insect Castes

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 410-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas R Friedman ◽  
Vladimír Remeš ◽  
Evan P Economo
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Social Insect ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Head Shape ◽  
Minor Worker ◽  
Independent Variation ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Worker Castes ◽  
Worker Caste

Abstract Many species have evolved alternate phenotypes, thus enabling individuals to conditionally produce phenotypes that are favorable for reproductive success. Examples of this phenomenon include sexual dimorphism, alternative reproductive strategies, and social insect castes. While the evolutionary functions and developmental mechanisms of dimorphic phenotypes have been studied extensively, little attention has focused on the evolutionary covariance between each phenotype. We extend the conceptual framework and methods of morphological integration to hypothesize that dimorphic traits tend to be less integrated between sexes or social castes. In the case of social insects, we describe results from our recent study of an ant genus in which workers have major and minor worker castes that perform different behavioral repertoires in and around the nest. In the case of birds, we describe a new analysis of a family of songbirds that exhibits plumage coloration that can differ greatly between males and females, with apparently independent changes in each sex. Ant head shape, which is highly specialized in each worker caste, was weakly integrated between worker castes, whereas thorax shape, which is more monomorphic, was tightly integrated. Similarly, in birds, we found a negative association between dimorphism and the degree of integration between sexes. We also found that integration decreased in fairy wrens (Malurus) for many feather patches that evolved greater dichromatism. Together, this suggests that the process of evolving increased dimorphism results in a decrease in integration between sexes and social castes. We speculate that once a mechanism for dimorphism evolves, that mechanism can create independent variation in one sex or caste upon which selection may act.

scholarly journals Co-adjustment of yolk antioxidants and androgens in birds

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 20160676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Giraudeau ◽  
Simon Ducatez
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Direct And Indirect Effects ◽  
Egg Components

Mothers can shape the developmental trajectory of their offspring through the transmission of resources such as hormones, antioxidants or immunoglobulins. Over the last two decades, an abundant literature on maternal effects in birds has shown that several of these compounds (i.e. androgens, glucocorticoids and antioxidants) often influence the same offspring phenotypic traits (i.e. growth, immunity or oxidative stress levels), making interaction effects between egg components a likely scenario. However, the potential interactive effects of maternally transmitted compounds on offspring development and potential co-adjustment of these compounds within an egg are still poorly understood. Here, we report the results of an interspecific comparative analysis on birds' egg yolk composition (i.e. androgens and antioxidants) where we found that yolk carotenoid and vitamin E concentrations are positively associated, supporting the hypothesis that these two antioxidants act in synergy. The concentrations of vitamin E also increased with increasing concentrations of testosterone. This last result confirms the emerging idea that androgens and antioxidants are co-adjusted within eggs and that maternally transmitted antioxidants might limit the potential direct and indirect effects of prenatal exposure to high testosterone levels on oxidative stress.

scholarly journals The diverging evolutionary history of opsin genes in Diptera

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Feuda ◽  
Matthew Goulty ◽  
Nicola Zadra ◽  
Tiziana Gasparetti ◽  
Ezio Rosato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Peculiar Behaviour ◽  
Opsin Genes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Phylogenetic Framework ◽  
Independent Expansion ◽  
Dipteran Species

AbstractOpsin receptors mediate the visual process in animals and their evolutionary history can provide precious hints on the ecological factors that underpin their diversification. Here we mined the genomes of more than 60 Dipteran species and reconstructed the evolution of their opsin genes in a phylogenetic framework. Our phylogenies indicate that dipterans possess an ancestral set of five core opsins which have undergone several lineage-specific events including an independent expansion of low wavelength opsins in flies and mosquitoes and numerous family specific duplications and losses. Molecular evolutionary studies indicate that gene turnover rate, overall mutation rate, and site-specific selective pressure are higher in Anopheles than in Drosophila; we found signs of positive selection in both lineages, including events possibly associated with their peculiar behaviour. Our findings indicate an extremely variable pattern of opsin evolution in dipterans, showcasing how two similarly aged radiations - Anopheles and Drosophila - can be characterized by contrasting dynamics in the evolution of this gene family.

scholarly journals Phylogenomic and ecological analyses reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of global pines

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (20) ◽  
pp. e2022302118
Author(s):  
Wei-Tao Jin ◽  
David S. Gernandt ◽  
Christian Wehenkel ◽  
Xiao-Mei Xia ◽  
Xiao-Xin Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Aridity Index ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Diversification Rate ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Spatiotemporal Evolution ◽  
Middle Latitudes

How coniferous forests evolved in the Northern Hemisphere remains largely unknown. Unlike most groups of organisms that generally follow a latitudinal diversity gradient, most conifer species in the Northern Hemisphere are distributed in mountainous areas at middle latitudes. It is of great interest to know whether the midlatitude region has been an evolutionary cradle or museum for conifers and how evolutionary and ecological factors have driven their spatiotemporal evolution. Here, we investigated the macroevolution of Pinus, the largest conifer genus and characteristic of northern temperate coniferous forests, based on nearly complete species sampling. Using 1,662 genes from transcriptome sequences, we reconstructed a robust species phylogeny and reestimated divergence times of global pines. We found that ∼90% of extant pine species originated in the Miocene in sharp contrast to the ancient origin of Pinus, indicating a Neogene rediversification. Surprisingly, species at middle latitudes are much older than those at other latitudes. This finding, coupled with net diversification rate analysis, indicates that the midlatitude region has provided an evolutionary museum for global pines. Analyses of 31 environmental variables, together with a comparison of evolutionary rates of niche and phenotypic traits with a net diversification rate, found that topography played a primary role in pine diversification, and the aridity index was decisive for the niche rate shift. Moreover, fire has forced diversification and adaptive evolution of Pinus. Our study highlights the importance of integrating phylogenomic and ecological approaches to address evolution of biological groups at the global scale.

scholarly journals Regulation of Early Plant Development by Red and Blue Light: A Comparative Analysis Between Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiki Spaninks ◽  
Jelmer van Lieshout ◽  
Wim van Ieperen ◽  
Remko Offringa
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Solanum Lycopersicum ◽  
Blue Light ◽  
Plant Development ◽  
Light Quality ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Organ Formation

In vertical farming, plants are grown in multi-layered growth chambers supplied with energy-efficient LEDs that produce less heat and can thus be placed in close proximity to the plants. The spectral quality control allowed by LED lighting potentially enables steering plant development toward desired phenotypes. However, this requires detailed knowledge on how light quality affects different developmental processes per plant species or even cultivar, and how well information from model plants translates to horticultural crops. Here we have grown the model dicot Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) and the crop plant Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) under white or monochromatic red or blue LED conditions. In addition, seedlings were grown in vitro in either light-grown roots (LGR) or dark-grown roots (DGR) LED conditions. Our results present an overview of phenotypic traits that are sensitive to red or blue light, which may be used as a basis for application by tomato nurseries. Our comparative analysis showed that young tomato plants were remarkably indifferent to the LED conditions, with red and blue light effects on primary growth, but not on organ formation or flowering. In contrast, Arabidopsis appeared to be highly sensitive to light quality, as dramatic differences in shoot and root elongation, organ formation, and developmental phase transitions were observed between red, blue, and white LED conditions. Our results highlight once more that growth responses to environmental conditions can differ significantly between model and crop species. Understanding the molecular basis for this difference will be important for designing lighting systems tailored for specific crops.

scholarly journals Repeatable differences in exploratory behaviour predict tick infestation probability in wild great tits

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Rollins ◽  
Alexia Mouchet ◽  
Gabriele Margos ◽  
Lidia Chitimia-Dobler ◽  
Volker Fingerle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Animal Behaviour ◽  
Exploratory Behaviour ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Parasite Infestation ◽  
Tick Burden

Abstract Ecological factors and individual-specific traits affect parasite infestation in wild animals. Ixodid ticks are important ectoparasites of various vertebrate hosts, which include passerine bird species such as the great tit (Parus major). We studied various key ecological variables (breeding density, human disturbance) and phenotypic traits (exploratory behaviour, body condition) proposed to predict tick infestation probability and burden in great tits. Our study spanned 3 years and 12 nest box plots located in southern Germany. Breeding, adult great tits were assessed for exploration behaviour, body condition, and tick burden. Plots were open to human recreation; human disturbance was quantified in each plot as a recreation pressure index from biweekly nest box inspections. Infested individuals were repeatable in tick burden across years. These repeatable among-individual differences in tick burden were not attributable to exploration behaviour. However, faster explorers did have a higher infestation probability. Furthermore, body condition was negatively correlated to tick burden. Recreation pressure was correlated to increased infestation probability, although this relationship was just above the threshold of statistical significance. Our study implies that avian infestation probability and tick burden are each determined by distinct phenotypic traits and ecological factors. Our findings highlight the importance of animal behaviour and human disturbance in understanding variation in tick burden among avian hosts. Significance statement Various abiotic and biotic factors, including personality type, influence tick parasitism in birds, but exactly how all these factors interplay remains unclear. We studied a wild population of great tits over a 3-year period and assessed birds for their exploration behaviour and tick infestation. We found that more explorative great tits were more likely to be infested with ticks. By contrast, faster explorers did not have higher tick burdens. Tick burden was nevertheless moderately repeatable among individuals. Our results imply that animal personality influences the probability of parasite infestation, and that infestation likelihood versus intensity are determined by distinct mechanisms. Our work highlights the importance of animal behaviour to understand parasite infestation in wild populations.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Methods Used to Extract Speech Signal Features

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 52-63
Author(s):  
Ziad A. Alqadi ◽  
Sayel Shareef Rimawi
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Speech Signal ◽  
Recognition System ◽  
Sampling Frequency ◽  
Speech Recognition System ◽  
Important Process ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Signal Features ◽  
Speech Features

The stage of extracting the features of the speech file is one of the most important stages of building a system for identifying a person through the use of his voice. Accordingly, the choice of the method of extracting speech features is an important process because of its subsequent negative or positive effects on the speech recognition system. In this paper research we will analyze the most popular methods of speech signal features extraction: LPC, Kmeans clustering, WPT decomposition and MLBP methods. These methods will be implemented and tested using various speech files. The amplitude and sampling frequency will be changed to see the affects of changing on the extracted features. Depending on the results of analysis some recommendations will be given.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of traditional and modern apricot breeding programs: A case of study with Spanish and Tunisian apricot breeding germplasm

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e0706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Batnini ◽  
Lamia Krichen ◽  
Hedia Bourguiba ◽  
Neila Trifi-Farah ◽  
David Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Ssr Markers ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Breeding Programme ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Weight One ◽  
Modern Breeding ◽  
Selection Of

Traditional plant breeding is based on the observation of variation and the selection of the best phenotypes, whereas modern breeding is characterised by the use of controlled mating and the selection of descendants using molecular markers. In this work, a comparative analysis of genetic diversity in a traditional (Tunisian) and a modern (Spanish) apricot breeding programme was performed at the phenotypic and molecular level using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Seven phenotypic traits were evaluated in 42 Tunisian apricot accessions and 30 genotypes from the Spanish apricot programme. In addition, 20 SSR markers previously described as linked to specific phenotypic traits were assayed. Results showed that modern breeding using controlled crosses increases the size of the fruit. The fruit weight average observed in the Tunisian cultivars was of 20.15 g. In the case of traditional Spanish cultivars the average weight was 47.12 g, whereas the average weight of the other progenitors from France, USA and South Africa was 72.85 g. Finally, in the new releases from the CEBAS-CSIC breeding programme, the average weight was 72.82 g. In addition, modern bred cultivars incorporate desirable traits such as self-compatibility and firmness. Cluster and structural analysis based on SSR data clearly differentiates the genotypes according to their geographic origin and pedigree. Finally, results showed an association between some alleles of PaCITA7 and UDP96003 SSR markers with apricot fruit weight, one allele of UDAp407 marker with fruit firmness and one allele of UDP98406 marker with fruit ripening.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document