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Hemnani M, Guimarães ISC, Kaefer IL, Pires THDS. Alarm reaction depends on multiple chemical cues in tadpoles of the cane toad ( Rhinella marina). ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2022.2082537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Hemnani
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Manaus, Brasil
| | - Izabela S. Campos Guimarães
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Manaus, Brasil
| | - Igor L. Kaefer
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Manaus, Brasil
| | - Tiago H. da Silva Pires
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Evolutiva (LECE), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
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Curi L, Cuzziol Boccioni A, Peltzer P, Attademo A, Bassó A, León E, Lajmanovich R. Signals from predators, injured conspecifics, and pesticide modify the swimming behavior of the gregarious tadpole of the Dorbigny’s Toad, Rhinella dorbignyi (Anura: Bufonidae). CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tadpoles detect chemical signals released from predators and conspecifics, as well as those present in the environment, and adjust their behavioral responses. This study evaluated the swimming activity of Dorbigny’s Toad (Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril and Bibron, 1841)) tadpoles exposed to chemical signals, including cues from a predator fish, the marbled swamp eel (Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795), and an injured conspecific; sublethal concentration of insecticide cypermethrin; and their combination. Swimming behavior (total distance moved, mean speed, global activity, number of contacts between tadpoles) was evaluated in an individual (1) and groups of different size (3, 5, 7, and 10 tadpoles) using a video-tracking software tool. Predator exposure modified behavioral parameters, reducing encounters with predators and, therefore, mortality. Total distance moved and mean speed increased in trials involving 1 tadpole and 3 interacting tadpoles exposed to injured conspecifics, whereas global activity increased in all group sizes, showing that gregarious tadpoles may be affected by alarm cues and their behavior may be disrupted. The insecticide treatments (alone and combined) increased parameters in all group sizes, causing hyperactivity due to its neurotoxic effect. The different responses observed after exposure to alarm cues and environmental signals in the different group sizes modified the normal behavior and the ecological dynamics of gregarious tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.M. Curi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ictiología del Nordeste (INICNE), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (FCV, UNNE), Sargento Cabral 2139, CP 3400, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - A.P. Cuzziol Boccioni
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - P.M. Peltzer
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A.M. Attademo
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A. Bassó
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - E.J. León
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Conservación de tetrápodos (INALI-UNL- CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN n° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - R.C. Lajmanovich
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FBCB-UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje “El Pozo”, RN N° 168, Km 472, CP 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Crossland MR, Salim AA, Capon RJ, Shine R. Chemical cues that attract cannibalistic cane toad (Rhinella marina) larvae to vulnerable embryos. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12527. [PMID: 34131171 PMCID: PMC8206116 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical cues produced by late-stage embryos of the cane toad (Rhinella marina) attract older conspecific larvae, which are highly cannibalistic and can consume an entire clutch. To clarify the molecular basis of this attraction response, we presented captive tadpoles with components present in toad eggs. As previously reported, attractivity arises from the distinctive toxins (bufadienolides) produced by cane toads, with some toxins (e.g., bufagenins) much stronger attractants than others (e.g., bufotoxins). Extracts of frozen toad parotoid glands (rich in bufagenins) were more attractive than were fresh MeOH extracts of the parotoid secretion (rich in bufotoxins), and purified marinobufagin was more effective than marinobufotoxin. Cardenolide aglycones (e.g., digitoxigenin) were active attractors, whereas C-3 glycosides (e.g., digoxin, oubain) were far less effective. A structure–activity relationship study revealed that tadpole attractant potency strongly correlated with Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitory activity, suggesting that tadpoles monitor and rapidly react to perturbations to Na+/K+ ATPase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Crossland
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Angela A Salim
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Robert J Capon
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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Sarma RR, Crossland MR, Eyck HJF, DeVore JL, Edwards RJ, Cocomazzo M, Zhou J, Brown GP, Shine R, Rollins LA. Intergenerational effects of manipulating DNA methylation in the early life of an iconic invader. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200125. [PMID: 33866803 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to novel environments, invasive populations often evolve rapidly. Standing genetic variation is an important predictor of evolutionary response but epigenetic variation may also play a role. Here, we use an iconic invader, the cane toad (Rhinella marina), to investigate how manipulating epigenetic status affects phenotypic traits. We collected wild toads from across Australia, bred them, and experimentally manipulated DNA methylation of the subsequent two generations (G1, G2) through exposure to the DNA methylation inhibitor zebularine and/or conspecific tadpole alarm cues. Direct exposure to alarm cues (an indicator of predation risk) increased the potency of G2 tadpole chemical cues, but this was accompanied by reductions in survival. Exposure to alarm cues during G1 also increased the potency of G2 tadpole cues, indicating intergenerational plasticity in this inducible defence. In addition, the negative effects of alarm cues on tadpole viability (i.e. the costs of producing the inducible defence) were minimized in the second generation. Exposure to zebularine during G1 induced similar intergenerational effects, suggesting a role for alteration in DNA methylation. Accordingly, we identified intergenerational shifts in DNA methylation at some loci in response to alarm cue exposure. Substantial demethylation occurred within the sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit gamma gene (SCNN1G) in alarm cue exposed individuals and their offspring. This gene is a key to the regulation of sodium in epithelial cells and may help to maintain the protective epidermal barrier. These data suggest that early life experiences of tadpoles induce intergenerational effects through epigenetic mechanisms, which enhance larval fitness. This article is part of the theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshmi R Sarma
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Michael R Crossland
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Harrison J F Eyck
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Jayna L DeVore
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Richard J Edwards
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Michael Cocomazzo
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
| | - Jia Zhou
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.,School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, PMB 1 Glen Osmond, 5064, Australia
| | - Gregory P Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
| | - Lee A Rollins
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.,Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
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Sarma RR, Edwards RJ, Crino OL, Eyck HJF, Waters PD, Crossland MR, Shine R, Rollins LA. Do Epigenetic Changes Drive Corticosterone Responses to Alarm Cues in Larvae of an Invasive Amphibian? Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:1481-1494. [PMID: 32544233 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The developmental environment can exert powerful effects on animal phenotype. Recently, epigenetic modifications have emerged as one mechanism that can modulate developmentally plastic responses to environmental variability. For example, the DNA methylation profile at promoters of hormone receptor genes can affect their expression and patterns of hormone release. Across taxonomic groups, epigenetic alterations have been linked to changes in glucocorticoid (GC) physiology. GCs are metabolic hormones that influence growth, development, transitions between life-history stages, and thus fitness. To date, relatively few studies have examined epigenetic effects on phenotypic traits in wild animals, especially in amphibians. Here, we examined the effects of exposure to predation threat (alarm cues) and experimentally manipulated DNA methylation on corticosterone (CORT) levels in tadpoles and metamorphs of the invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina). We included offspring of toads sampled from populations across the species' Australian range. In these animals, exposure to chemical cues from injured conspecifics induces shifts in developmental trajectories, putatively as an adaptive response that lessens vulnerability to predation. We exposed tadpoles to these alarm cues, and measured changes in DNA methylation and CORT levels, both of which are mechanisms that have been implicated in the control of phenotypically plastic responses in tadpoles. To test the idea that DNA methylation drives shifts in GC physiology, we also experimentally manipulated methylation levels with the drug zebularine. We found differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between control tadpoles and their full-siblings exposed to alarm cues, zebularine, or both treatments. However, the effects of these manipulations on methylation patterns were weaker than clutch (e.g., genetic, maternal, etc.) effects. CORT levels were higher in larval cane toads exposed to alarm cues and zebularine. We found little evidence of changes in DNA methylation across the GC receptor gene (NR3C1) promoter region in response to alarm cue or zebularine exposure. In both alarm cue and zebularine-exposed individuals, we found differentially methylated DNA in the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 gene (SOCS3), which may be involved in predator avoidance behavior. In total, our data reveal that alarm cues have significant impacts on tadpole physiology, but show only weak links between DNA methylation and CORT levels. We also identify genes containing DMRs in tadpoles exposed to alarm cues and zebularine, particularly in range-edge populations, that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshmi R Sarma
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Richard J Edwards
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ondi L Crino
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES), Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Harrison J F Eyck
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Paul D Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michael R Crossland
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Lee A Rollins
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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