scholarly journals First Report of Sex Chromosomes in Plated Lizards (Squamata: Gerrhosauridae)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Alexander Kostmann ◽  
Lukáš Kratochvíl ◽  
Michail Rovatsos
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Missing Information ◽  
First Report ◽  
Squamate Reptiles ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Family ◽  
Genotypic Sex Determination ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
Cytogenetic Methods

Squamate reptiles show high diversity in sex determination ranging from environmental sex determination to genotypic sex determination with varying degrees of differentiation of sex chromosomes. Unfortunately, we lack even basic information on sex determination mode in several lineages of squamates, which prevents full understanding of their diversity and evolution of sex determination. One of the reptilian lineages with missing information on sex determination is the family Gerrhosauridae, commonly known as the plated lizards. Several species of gerrhosaurids have been studied in the past by conventional cytogenetic methods, but sex-specific differences were not identified. In this study, we applied both conventional and molecular cytogenetic methods to metaphases from both sexes of the Peters’ keeled plated lizard (Tracheloptychus petersi). We identified accumulations of rDNA loci in a pair of microchromosomes in metaphases from males, but only in a single microchromosome in females. The restriction of the observed heterozygosity to females suggests a putative ZZ/ZW system of sex chromosomes, which represents the first report of sex chromosomes in a gerrhosaurid lizard. The lack of sex-specific signals in all other cytogenetic methods implies that the sex chromosomes of T. petersi are poorly differentiated in sequence content.

scholarly journals Cytogenetic Evidence for Sex Chromosomes and Karyotype Evolution in Anguimorphan Lizards

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1612
Author(s):  
Barbora Augstenová ◽  
Eleonora Pensabene ◽  
Lukáš Kratochvíl ◽  
Michail Rovatsos
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Comparative Genome Hybridization ◽  
Squamate Reptiles ◽  
Cytogenetic Evidence ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
Cytogenetic Methods ◽  
Variable Group

Anguimorphan lizards are a morphologically variable group of squamate reptiles with a wide geographical distribution. In spite of their importance, they have been cytogenetically understudied. Here, we present the results of the cytogenetic examination of 23 species from five anguimorphan families (Anguidae, Helodermatidae, Shinisauridae, Varanidae and Xenosauridae). We applied both conventional (Giemsa staining and C-banding) and molecular cytogenetic methods (fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes for the telomeric motifs and rDNA loci, comparative genome hybridization), intending to describe the karyotypes of previously unstudied species, to uncover the sex determination mode, and to reveal the distribution of variability in cytogenetic characteristics among anguimorphan lizards. We documented that karyotypes are generally quite variable across anguimorphan lineages, with anguids being the most varying. However, the derived chromosome number of 2n = 40 exhibits a notable long-term evolutionary stasis in monitors. Differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes were documented in monitors and helodermatids, as well as in the anguids Abronia lythrochila, and preliminary also in Celestus warreni and Gerrhonotus liocephalus. Several other anguimorphan species have likely poorly differentiated sex chromosomes, which cannot be detected by the applied cytogenetic methods, although the presence of environmental sex determination cannot be excluded. In addition, we uncovered a rare case of spontaneous triploidy in a fully grown Varanus primordius.

scholarly journals Cytogenetic Analysis of the Asian Box Turtles of the Genus Cuora (Testudines, Geoemydidae)

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Clemente ◽  
Sofia Mazzoleni ◽  
Eleonora Pensabene ◽  
Tomáš Protiva ◽  
Philipp Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Telomeric Repeats ◽  
Rdna Loci ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Genotypic Sex Determination ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
Almost All

The Asian box turtle genus Cuora currently comprises 13 species with a wide distribution in Southeast Asia, including China and the islands of Indonesia and Philippines. The populations of these species are rapidly declining due to human pressure, including pollution, habitat loss, and harvesting for food consumption. Notably, the IUCN Red List identifies almost all species of the genus Cuora as Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR). In this study, we explore the karyotypes of 10 Cuora species with conventional (Giemsa staining, C-banding, karyogram reconstruction) and molecular cytogenetic methods (in situ hybridization with probes for rDNA loci and telomeric repeats). Our study reveals a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 52 chromosomes in all studied species, with karyotypes of similar chromosomal morphology. In all examined species, rDNA loci are detected at a single medium-sized chromosome pair and the telomeric repeats are restricted to the expected terminal position across all chromosomes. In contrast to a previous report, sex chromosomes are neither detected in Cuoragalbinifrons nor in any other species. Therefore, we assume that these turtles have either environmental sex determination or genotypic sex determination with poorly differentiated sex chromosomes. The conservation of genome organization could explain the numerous observed cases of interspecific hybridization both within the genus Cuora and across geoemydid turtles.

scholarly journals Independent Evolution of Sex Chromosomes in Eublepharid Geckos, a Lineage with Environmental and Genotypic Sex Determination

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Pensabene ◽  
Lukáš Kratochvíl ◽  
Michail Rovatsos
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Gene Content ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Evolution Of Sex ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Genotypic Sex Determination ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Genomic Regions

Geckos demonstrate a remarkable variability in sex determination systems, but our limited knowledge prohibits accurate conclusions on the evolution of sex determination in this group. Eyelid geckos (Eublepharidae) are of particular interest, as they encompass species with both environmental and genotypic sex determination. We identified for the first time the X-specific gene content in the Yucatán banded gecko, Coleonyx elegans, possessing X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y multiple sex chromosomes by comparative genome coverage analysis between sexes. The X-specific gene content of Coleonyx elegans was revealed to be partially homologous to genomic regions linked to the chicken autosomes 1, 6 and 11. A qPCR-based test was applied to validate a subset of X-specific genes by comparing the difference in gene copy numbers between sexes, and to explore the homology of sex chromosomes across 11 eublepharid, two phyllodactylid and one sphaerodactylid species. Homologous sex chromosomes are shared between Coleonyx elegans and Coleonyx mitratus, two species diverged approximately 34 million years ago, but not with other tested species. As far as we know, the X-specific gene content of Coleonyx elegans / Coleonyx mitratus was never involved in the sex chromosomes of other gecko lineages, indicating that the sex chromosomes in this clade of eublepharid geckos evolved independently.

scholarly journals Independent Evolution of Sex Chromosomes in Eublepharid Geckos, A Lineage with Environmental and Genotypic Sex Determination

Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Eleonora Pensabene ◽  
Lukáš Kratochvíl ◽  
Michail Rovatsos
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Gene Content ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Evolution Of Sex ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Genotypic Sex Determination ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Genomic Regions

Geckos demonstrate a remarkable variability in sex determination systems, but our limited knowledge prohibits accurate conclusions on the evolution of sex determination in this group. Eyelid geckos (Eublepharidae) are of particular interest, as they encompass species with both environmental and genotypic sex determination. We identified for the first time the X-specific gene content in the Yucatán banded gecko, Coleonyx elegans, possessing X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y multiple sex chromosomes by comparative genome coverage analysis between sexes. The X-specific gene content of Coleonyx elegans was revealed to be partially homologous to genomic regions linked to the chicken autosomes 1, 6 and 11. A qPCR-based test was applied to validate a subset of X-specific genes by comparing the difference in gene copy numbers between sexes, and to explore the homology of sex chromosomes across eleven eublepharid, two phyllodactylid and one sphaerodactylid species. Homologous sex chromosomes are shared between Coleonyx elegans and Coleonyx mitratus, two species diverged approximately 34 million years ago, but not with other tested species. As far as we know, the X-specific gene content of Coleonyx elegans / Coleonyx mitratus was never involved in the sex chromosomes of other gecko lineages, indicating that the sex chromosomes in this clade of eublepharid geckos evolved independently.

scholarly journals First Report of Sex Chromosomes in Night Lizards (Scincoidea: Xantusiidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart V Nielsen ◽  
Brendan J Pinto ◽  
Irán Andira Guzmán-Méndez ◽  
Tony Gamble
Keyword(s):  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosome Evolution ◽  
Restriction Site ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Squamate Reptiles ◽  
Determining Modes ◽  
Heteromorphic Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Sex Chromosome System ◽  
Cytogenetic Methods

Abstract Squamate reptiles (lizards, snakes, and amphibians) are an outstanding group for studying sex chromosome evolution—they are old, speciose, geographically widespread, and exhibit myriad sex-determining modes. Yet, the vast majority of squamate species lack heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Cataloging the sex chromosome systems of species lacking easily identifiable, heteromorphic sex chromosomes, therefore, is essential before we are to fully understand the evolution of vertebrate sex chromosomes. Here, we use restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to classify the sex chromosome system of the granite night lizard, Xantusia henshawi. RADseq is an effective alternative to traditional cytogenetic methods for determining a species’ sex chromosome system (i.e., XX/XY or ZZ/ZW), particularly in taxa with non-differentiated sex chromosomes. Although many xantusiid lineages have been karyotyped, none possess heteromorphic sex chromosomes. We identified a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in X. henshawi—the first such data for this family. Furthermore, we report that the X. henshawi sex chromosome contains fragments of genes found on Gallus gallus chromosomes 7, 12, and 18 (which are homologous to Anolis carolinensis chromosome 2), the first vertebrate sex chromosomes to utilize this linkage group.

scholarly journals Poorly differentiated XX/XY sex chromosomes are widely shared across skink radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1943) ◽  
pp. 20202139
Author(s):  
Alexander Kostmann ◽  
Lukáš Kratochvíl ◽  
Michail Rovatsos
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Molecular Sexing ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
The Common ◽  
Evolutionarily Stable

Differentiated sex chromosomes are believed to be evolutionarily stable, while poorly differentiated sex chromosomes are considered to be prone to turnovers. With around 1700 currently known species forming ca 15% of reptile species diversity, skinks (family Scincidae) are a very diverse group of squamates known for their large ecological and morphological variability. Skinks generally have poorly differentiated and cytogenetically indistinguishable sex chromosomes, and their sex determination was suggested to be highly variable. Here, we determined X-linked genes in the common sandfish ( Scincus scincus ) and demonstrate that skinks have shared the same homologous XX/XY sex chromosomes across their wide phylogenetic spectrum for at least 85 million years, approaching the age of the highly differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes of birds and advanced snakes. Skinks thus demonstrate that even poorly differentiated sex chromosomes can be evolutionarily stable. The conservation of sex chromosomes across skinks allows us to introduce the first molecular sexing method widely applicable in this group.

scholarly journals Cretaceous park of sex determination: sex chromosomes are conserved across iguanas

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 20131093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michail Rovatsos ◽  
Martina Pokorná ◽  
Marie Altmanová ◽  
Lukáš Kratochvíl
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
New World ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Rapid Turnover ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Cretaceous Period

Many poikilothermic vertebrate lineages, especially among amphibians and fishes, possess a rapid turnover of sex chromosomes, while in endotherms there is a notable stability of sex chromosomes. Reptiles in general exhibit variability in sex-determining systems; as typical poikilotherms, they might be expected to have a rapid turnover of sex chromosomes. However, molecular data which would enable the testing of the stability of sex chromosomes are lacking in most lineages. Here, we provide molecular evidence that sex chromosomes are highly conserved across iguanas, one of the most species-rich clade of reptiles. We demonstrate that members of the New World families Iguanidae, Tropiduridae, Leiocephalidae, Phrynosomatidae, Dactyloidae and Crotaphytidae, as well as of the family Opluridae which is restricted to Madagascar, all share homologous sex chromosomes. As our sampling represents the majority of the phylogenetic diversity of iguanas, the origin of iguana sex chromosomes can be traced back in history to the basal splitting of this group which occurred during the Cretaceous period. Iguanas thus show a stability of sex chromosomes comparable to mammals and birds and represent the group with the oldest sex chromosomes currently known among amniotic poikilothermic vertebrates.

scholarly journals Cytogenetic Analysis Did Not Reveal Differentiated Sex Chromosomes in Ten Species of Boas and Pythons (Reptilia: Serpentes)

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augstenová ◽  
Mazzoleni ◽  
Kostmann ◽  
Altmanová ◽  
Frynta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽  
Telomeric Repeats ◽  
Molecular Cytogenetic ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
Python Bivittatus ◽  
Interstitial Telomeric Repeats ◽  
Cytogenetic Methods

Homologous and differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes (or derived multiple neo-sex chromosomes) were often described in caenophidian snakes, but sex chromosomes were unknown until recently in non-caenophidian snakes. Previous studies revealed that two species of boas (Boa imperator, B. constrictor) and one species of python (Python bivittatus) independently evolved XX/XY sex chromosomes. In addition, heteromorphic ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes were recently revealed in the Madagascar boa (Acrantophis sp. cf. dumerili) and putatively also in the blind snake Myriopholis macrorhyncha. Since the evolution of sex chromosomes in non-caenophidian snakes seems to be more complex than previously thought, we examined ten species of pythons and boas representing the families Boidae, Calabariidae, Candoiidae, Charinidae, Pythonidae, and Sanziniidae by conventional and molecular cytogenetic methods, aiming to reveal their sex chromosomes. Our results show that all examined species do not possess sex-specific differences in their genomes detectable by the applied cytogenetic methods, indicating the presence of poorly differentiated sex chromosomes or even the absence of sex chromosomes. Interestingly, fluorescence in situ hybridization with telomeric repeats revealed extensive distribution of interstitial telomeric repeats in eight species, which are likely a consequence of intra-chromosomal rearrangements.

scholarly journals Assembled chromosomes of the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni provide insight into the evolution of its ZW sex-determination system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K Buddenborg ◽  
Alan Tracey ◽  
Duncan J Berger ◽  
Zhigang Lu ◽  
Stephen Doyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Gene Annotation ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
Genotypic Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Determination System

Background: Schistosoma mansoni is a flatworm that causes a neglected tropical disease affecting millions worldwide. Most flatworms are hermaphrodites but schistosomes have genotypically determined male (ZZ) and female (ZW) sexes. Sex is essential for pathology and transmission, however, the molecular determinants of sex remain unknown and is limited by poorly resolved sex chromosomes in previous genome assemblies. Results: We assembled the 391.4 Mb S. mansoni genome into individual, single-scaffold chromosomes, including Z and W. Manual curation resulted in a vastly improved gene annotation, resolved gene and repeat arrays, trans-splicing, and almost all UTRs. The sex chromosomes each comprise pseudoautosomal regions and single sex-specific regions. The Z-specific region contains 932 genes, but on W all but 29 of these genes have been lost and the presence of five pseudogenes indicates that degeneration of W is ongoing. Synteny analysis reveals an ancient chromosomal fusion corresponding to the oldest part of Z, where only a single gene-encoding the large subunit of pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF has retained an intact copy on W. The sex-specific copies of U2AF have divergent N-termini and show sex-biased gene expression. Conclusion: Our assembly with fully resolved chromosomes provides evidence of an evolutionary path taken to create the Z and W sex chromosomes of schistosomes. Sex-linked divergence of the single U2AF gene, which has been present in the sex-specific regions longer than any other extant gene with distinct male and female specific copies and expression, may have been a pivotal step in the evolution of gonorchorism and genotypic sex determination of schistosomes.

scholarly journals Turtle Insights into the Evolution of the Reptilian Karyotype and the Genomic Architecture of Sex Determination

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basanta Bista ◽  
Nicole Valenzuela
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosome Evolution ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Sex Chromosome Evolution ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Genomic Resources ◽  
Genotypic Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosome System

Sex chromosome evolution remains an evolutionary puzzle despite its importance in understanding sexual development and genome evolution. The seemingly random distribution of sex-determining systems in reptiles offers a unique opportunity to study sex chromosome evolution not afforded by mammals or birds. These reptilian systems derive from multiple transitions in sex determination, some independent, some convergent, that lead to the birth and death of sex chromosomes in various lineages. Here we focus on turtles, an emerging model group with growing genomic resources. We review karyotypic changes that accompanied the evolution of chromosomal systems of genotypic sex determination (GSD) in chelonians from systems under the control of environmental temperature (TSD). These transitions gave rise to 31 GSD species identified thus far (out of 101 turtles with known sex determination), 27 with a characterized sex chromosome system (13 of those karyotypically). These sex chromosomes are varied in terms of the ancestral autosome they co-opted and thus in their homology, as well as in their size (some are macro-, some are micro-chromosomes), heterogamety (some are XX/XY, some ZZ/ZW), dimorphism (some are virtually homomorphic, some heteromorphic with larger-X, larger W, or smaller-Y), age (the oldest system could be ~195 My old and the youngest < 25 My old). Combined, all data indicate that turtles follow some tenets of classic theoretical models of sex chromosome evolution while countering others. Finally, although the study of dosage compensation and molecular divergence of turtle sex chromosomes has lagged behind research on other aspects of their evolution, this gap is rapidly decreasing with the acceleration of ongoing research and growing genomic resources in this group.

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