scholarly journals The masquerade game: marine mimicry adaptation between egg-cowries and octocorals

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Sánchez ◽  
Angela P. Fuentes-Pardo ◽  
Íde Ní Almhain ◽  
Néstor E. Ardila-Espitia ◽  
Jaime Cantera-Kintz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
General Assumption ◽  
Mitochondrial Genes ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Marine Gastropods ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Background Matching ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Malpelo Island

Background.Background matching, as a camouflage strategy, is one of the most outstanding examples of adaptation, where little error or mismatch means high vulnerability to predation. It is assumed that the interplay of natural selection and adaptation are the main evolutionary forces shaping the great diversity of phenotypes observed in mimicry; however, there may be other significant processes that intervene in the development of mimicry such as phenotypic plasticity. Based on observations of background mismatching during reproduction events of egg-cowries, sea snails of the family Ovulidae that mimic the octocoral where they inhabit, we wondered if they match the host species diversity. Using observations in the field and molecular systematics, we set out to establish whether the different egg-cowrie color/shape polymorphisms correspond to distinct lineages restricted to specific octocoral species.Methods.Collection and observations of egg-cowries and their octocoral hosts were done using SCUBA diving between 2009 and 2012 at two localities in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), Malpelo Island and Cabo Corrientes (Colombia). Detailed host preference observations were done bi-annually at Malpelo Island. We analyzed the DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genesCOIand16S rDNA, extensively used in phylogenetic and DNA barcoding studies, to assess the evolutionary relationship among different egg-cowrie colorations and morphologies.Results.No genetic divergence among egg-cowries associated to different species of the same octocoral genus was observed based on the two mitochondrial genes analyzed. For instance, all egg-cowrie individuals from the two sampled localities observed on 8 differentPacifigorgia-Eugorgiaspecies showed negligible mitochondrial divergence yet large morphologic divergence, which suggests that morphologies belonging to at least two sea snail species,Simnia avena(=S. aequalis) andSimnialena rufa, can cross-fertilize.Discussion.Our study system comprised background-matching mimicry, of the masquerade type, between egg-cowries (Simnia/Simnialena) and octocorals (Pacifigorgia/Eugorgia/Leptogorgia). We observed mimicry mismatches related to fitness trade-offs, such as reproductive aggregations vs. vulnerability against predators. Despite the general assumption that coevolution of mimicry involves speciation, egg-cowries with different hosts and colorations comprise the same lineages. Consequently, we infer that there would be significant tradeoffs between mimicry and the pursuit of reproductive aggregations in egg-cowries. The findings of this study not only contribute to the understanding of the evolution of mimicry in egg-cowries, a poorly studied group of marine gastropods, but also to the development of a new biologically meaningful board game that could be implemented as a learning tool.

scholarly journals The Masquerade Game: marine mimicry adaptation between egg-cowries and octocorals

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A Sánchez ◽  
Angela P Fuentes-Pardo ◽  
Íde Ní Almhain ◽  
Néstor E Ardila-Espitia ◽  
Jaime Cantera-Kintz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
General Assumption ◽  
Mitochondrial Genes ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Marine Gastropods ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Background Matching ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Malpelo Island

Background. Background matching, as a camouflage strategy, is one of the most outstanding examples of adaptation, where little error or mismatch means high vulnerability to predation. It is assumed that the interplay of natural selection and adaptation are the main evolutionary forces shaping the great diversity of phenotypes observed in mimicry, however there may be other significant processes that intervene in the development of mimicry such as phenotypic plasticity. Based on observations of background mismatching during reproduction events of egg-cowries, sea snails of the family Ovulidae that mimic the octocoral where they inhabit, we wondered if they match the host species diversity. Using observations in the field and molecular systematics, we set out to establish whether the different egg-cowrie color/shape polymorphisms correspond to distinct lineages restricted to specific octocoral species. Methods. Collection and observations of egg-cowries and their octocoral hosts were done using SCUBA diving between 2009-2012 at two localities in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), Malpelo Island and Cabo Corrientes (Colombia). Detailed host preference observations were done bi-annually at Malpelo Island. We analyzed the DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genes COI and 16S rDNA, extensively used in phylogenetic and DNA barcoding studies, to assess the evolutionary relationship among different egg-cowrie colorations and morphologies. Results. No genetic divergence among egg-cowries associated to different species of the same octocoral genus was observed based on the two mitochondrial genes analyzed. For instance, all egg-cowrie individuals from the two sampled localities observed on 8 different Pacifigorgia-Eugorgia species showed negligible mitochondrial divergence yet large morphologic divergence, which suggests that morphologies belonging to at least two sea snail species, Simnia avena (=S. aequalis) and Simnialena rufa, can cross-fertilize. Discussion. Our study system comprised background-matching mimicry, of the masquerade type, between egg-cowries (Simnia/Simnialena) and octocorals (Pacifigorgia/Eugorgia/Leptogorgia). We observed mimicry mismatches related to fitness trade-offs, such as reproductive aggregations vs. vulnerability against predators. Despite the general assumption that coevolution of mimicry involves speciation, egg-cowries with different hosts and colorations comprise the same lineages. Consequently, we infer that there would be significant tradeoffs between mimicry and the pursuit of reproductive aggregations in egg-cowries. The findings of this study not only contribute to the understanding of the evolution of mimicry in egg-cowries, a poorly studied group of marine gastropods, but also to the development of a new biologically meaningful board game that could be implemented as a learning tool.

scholarly journals The Masquerade Game: marine mimicry adaptation between egg-cowries and octocorals

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A Sánchez ◽  
Angela P Fuentes-Pardo ◽  
Íde Ní Almhain ◽  
Néstor E Ardila-Espitia ◽  
Jaime Cantera-Kintz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
General Assumption ◽  
Mitochondrial Genes ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Marine Gastropods ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Background Matching ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Malpelo Island

Background. Background matching, as a camouflage strategy, is one of the most outstanding examples of adaptation, where little error or mismatch means high vulnerability to predation. It is assumed that the interplay of natural selection and adaptation are the main evolutionary forces shaping the great diversity of phenotypes observed in mimicry, however there may be other significant processes that intervene in the development of mimicry such as phenotypic plasticity. Based on observations of background mismatching during reproduction events of egg-cowries, sea snails of the family Ovulidae that mimic the octocoral where they inhabit, we wondered if they match the host species diversity. Using observations in the field and molecular systematics, we set out to establish whether the different egg-cowrie color/shape polymorphisms correspond to distinct lineages restricted to specific octocoral species. Methods. Collection and observations of egg-cowries and their octocoral hosts were done using SCUBA diving between 2009-2012 at two localities in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), Malpelo Island and Cabo Corrientes (Colombia). Detailed host preference observations were done bi-annually at Malpelo Island. We analyzed the DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genes COI and 16S rDNA, extensively used in phylogenetic and DNA barcoding studies, to assess the evolutionary relationship among different egg-cowrie colorations and morphologies. Results. No genetic divergence among egg-cowries associated to different species of the same octocoral genus was observed based on the two mitochondrial genes analyzed. For instance, all egg-cowrie individuals from the two sampled localities observed on 8 different Pacifigorgia-Eugorgia species showed negligible mitochondrial divergence yet large morphologic divergence, which suggests that morphologies belonging to at least two sea snail species, Simnia avena (=S. aequalis) and Simnialena rufa, can cross-fertilize. Discussion. Our study system comprised background-matching mimicry, of the masquerade type, between egg-cowries (Simnia/Simnialena) and octocorals (Pacifigorgia/Eugorgia/Leptogorgia). We observed mimicry mismatches related to fitness trade-offs, such as reproductive aggregations vs. vulnerability against predators. Despite the general assumption that coevolution of mimicry involves speciation, egg-cowries with different hosts and colorations comprise the same lineages. Consequently, we infer that there would be significant tradeoffs between mimicry and the pursuit of reproductive aggregations in egg-cowries. The findings of this study not only contribute to the understanding of the evolution of mimicry in egg-cowries, a poorly studied group of marine gastropods, but also to the development of a new biologically meaningful board game that could be implemented as a learning tool.

scholarly journals Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Family Aeshnidae of Hazara Region, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. 109-116
Author(s):  
Sardar Azhar Mehmood
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Evolutionary Rate ◽  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Mitochondrial Genes ◽  
Bootstrap Support ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Single Genus ◽  
Shared Genetic

Current study was conducted on family Aeshnidae from Hazara region of Pakistan. During the survey a total of 125 members were collected and identified into 2 species under single genus. The present study focuses on molecular characterizations and phylogenetics of family Aeshnidae. Phylogenies of the analyzed taxa were elaborated with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis. We sequenced both mitochondrial genes i.e., COI and 16S rRNA, separate and combined CO1+16S data sets revealed evolutionary relationship within Aeshnidae at the species and genera level. Mean Pairwise Distances (MPD) of each species were ranged from 0.00 to 84.60%. Evolutionary rate differences among two categories Gamma distribution and Invariant were recorded as 0.07 and 1.20 substitutions per site. DNA based identification using CO1, 16S and combined CO1+16S data set, for all Aeshnidae species shared genetic similarities having bootstrap values MLB=70–100%, MPB= 52–100% and BPP=0.75–1% respectively. The analysis of the combined (COI+16S) data set produced trees with complete stronger bootstrap support than analyses of either gene alone. These findings had shown that the taxonomic position of Aeshnidae species based on morphological characters could be verified, further improved and confirmed by the use of modern molecular biological tools which involve the nucleotide sequences of genes used in phylogenetic investigations. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

New records of decapod species from Malpelo Island, tropical eastern Pacific

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 699-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Valencia-Giraldo ◽  
Juan F. Lazarus ◽  
Edgardo Londoño-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
New Records ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Malpelo Island

scholarly journals PRIMER REGISTRO DEL TAMBORIL NARIGÓN (SPHOEROIDES LOBATUS: TETRAODONTIDAE) EN ISLA MALPELO, PACÍFICO COLOMBIANO

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanía Rojas-Vélez ◽  
José Julian Tavera
Keyword(s):  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Malpelo Island ◽  
Colombian Pacific

Among the eight species of the genus Sphoeroides (family Tetraodontidae) that inhabit the Tropical Eastern Pacific only Sphoeroides lobatus has been reported in more than onegroup of oceanic islands: Galápagos, Revillagigedo and Isla del Coco. This work presents the first documented record of the longnose puffer (S. lobatus) at Malpelo Island, Colombian Pacific.

scholarly journals Reflections on telomere dynamics and ageing-related diseases in humans

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1741) ◽  
pp. 20160436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Aviv ◽  
Jerry W. Shay
Keyword(s):  
African Ancestry ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
European Ancestry ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Telomere Biology ◽  
Telomere Dynamics

Epidemiological studies have principally relied on measurements of telomere length (TL) in leucocytes, which reflects TL in other somatic cells. Leucocyte TL (LTL) displays vast variation across individuals—a phenomenon already observed in newborns. It is highly heritable, longer in females than males and in individuals of African ancestry than European ancestry. LTL is also longer in offspring conceived by older men. The traditional view regards LTL as a passive biomarker of human ageing. However, new evidence suggests that a dynamic interplay between selective evolutionary forces and TL might result in trade-offs for specific health outcomes. From a biological perspective, an active role of TL in ageing-related human diseases could occur because short telomeres increase the risk of a category of diseases related to restricted cell proliferation and tissue degeneration, including cardiovascular disease, whereas long telomeres increase the risk of another category of diseases related to increased proliferative growth, including major cancers. To understand the role of telomere biology in ageing-related diseases, it is essential to expand telomere research to newborns and children and seek further insight into the underlying causes of the variation in TL due to ancestry and geographical location. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics’.

scholarly journals When animal coloration is a poor match

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Caro
Keyword(s):  
Functional Significance ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Batesian Mimicry ◽  
Weak Selection ◽  
Relaxed Selection ◽  
Animal Coloration ◽  
Background Matching ◽  
Trade Offs

Abstract Biologists usually pursue the adaptationist paradigm in trying to explain the functional significance of animal coloration. Here I collate instances in which coloration may be a poor match in the context of background matching, Batesian mimicry, aposematism, and colour polymorphisms. This can occur because of trade-offs with other functions, relaxed selection from predation, or colour trait neutrality. Also, mechanistic, pleiotropic and chance genetic effects can all result in a poor match to the background environment or to signaling efficiently. While biologists implicitly recognise these constraints placed on adaptive coloration, they rarely explicitly acknowledge the heterodox notion that coloration might be under weak selection or no selection at all. Unfortunately, it is difficult to show this definitively, as illustrated in an investigation into the function of colour polymorphisms in coconut crabs.

scholarly journals On the evolution of sexual receptivity in female primates

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Rooker ◽  
Sergey Gavrilets
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Sexual Receptivity ◽  
Estrus Cycle ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Reproductive Cycles ◽  
Concealed Ovulation

AbstractThere has been much interest in the evolutionary forces responsible for, and underlying the diversity in, female primate reproductive cycles. Some primate species are like humans, sexually receptive to mating throughout their entire estrus cycle, while other species are the opposite, receptive for mere hours out of their several-week cycles. Why is there such prominent variation in sexual receptivity length among primate species? Here we examine the evolutionary trade-offs associated with sexual receptivity length using mathematical modeling. We investigate how various factors, including having ovulation signs present vs. concealed ovulation, female physiological costs, and group size, each influence the length of females’ receptive periods. We find that both continuous receptivity and very short lengths of receptivity are able to evolve. Our model predicts that increasing the impacts of infanticide will increase the length of the female receptive period, emphasizing the possible importance of paternity confusion. Similar effects can also be achieved by increasing the non-genetic benefits provided by males. Overall, our work offers a theoretical framework for understanding the evolution and diversity of mating traits in female primates.

scholarly journals Prokaryotic rRNA-mRNA interactions are involved in all translation steps and shape bacterial transcripts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shir Bahiri Elitzur ◽  
Rachel Cohen-Kupiec ◽  
Dana Yacobi ◽  
Larissa Fine ◽  
Boaz Apt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Translation Termination ◽  
Start Codon ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Translation Efficiency ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Bacterial Phyla ◽  
Initiation Phase ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Way

AbstractThe well-established Shine-Dalgarno model suggests that translation initiation in bacteria is regulated via base-pairing between ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and mRNA. However, little is currently known about the contribution of such interactions to the rest of the translation process and to the way bacterial transcript evolve. We used novel computational analyses and modelling of 823 bacterial genomes coupled with experiments to demonstrate that rRNA-mRNA interactions are diverse and regulate not only initiation, but all translation steps from pre-initiation to termination across the many bacterial phyla that have the Shine-Dalgarno sequence. As these interactions dictate translation efficiency, they serve as a driving evolutionary force for shaping transcripts in bacteria. We observed selection for strong rRNA-mRNA interactions in regions where such interactions are likely to enhance initiation, regulate early elongation and ensure the fidelity of translation termination. We discovered selection against strong interactions and for intermediate interactions in coding regions and present evidence that these interactions maximize elongation efficiency while also enhancing initiation by ‘guiding’ free ribosomal units to the start codon.ImportancePrevious research has reported the significant influence of rRNA-mRNA interactions mainly in the initiation phase of translation. The results reported in this paper suggest that, in addition to the rRNA-mRNA interactions near the start codon that trigger initiation in bacteria, rRNA-mRNA interactions affect all sub-stages of the translation process (pre-initiation, initiation, elongation, termination). In addition, these interactions affect the way evolutionary forces shape the bacterial transcripts while considering trade-offs between the effects of different interactions across different transcript regions on translation efficacy and efficiency. Due to the centrality of the translation process, these findings are relevant to all biomedical disciplines.

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