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Gu T, Hu J, Yu L. Evolution and conservation genetics of pangolins. Integr Zool 2024; 19:426-441. [PMID: 38146613 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Pangolins (Pholidota, Manidae) are classified as an evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered mammal due to their unique morphology (nail-like scales and a myrmecophagous diet) and being the victim of heavy poaching and worldwide trafficking. As such, pangolins serve as a textbook example for studying the special phenotypic evolutionary adaptations and conservation genetics of an endangered species. Recent years have demonstrated significant advancements in the fields of molecular genetics and genomics, which have translated to a series of important research achievements and breakthroughs concerning the evolution and conservation genetics of pangolins. This review comprehensively presents the hitherto advances in phylogeny, adaptive evolution, conservation genetics, and conservation genomics that are related to pangolins, which will provide an ample understanding of their diversity, molecular adaptation mechanisms, and evolutionary potentials. In addition, we highlight the priority of investigating species/population diversity among pangolins and suggest several avenues of research that are highly relevant for future pangolin conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Jingyang Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Li Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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2
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Li S, Yeh C, Jang‐Liaw N, Chang S, Lin Y, Tsai C, Chiu C, Chen C, Ke H, Wang Q, Lu Y, Zheng K, Fan P, Zhang L, Liu Y. Low but highly geographically structured genomic diversity of East Asian Eurasian otters and its conservation implications. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13630. [PMID: 38288030 PMCID: PMC10824276 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Populations of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra, one of the most widely distributed apex predators in Eurasia, have been depleted mainly since the 1950s. However, a lack of information about their genomic diversity and how they are organized geographically in East Asia severely impedes our ability to monitor and conserve them in particular management units. Here, we re-sequenced and analyzed 20 otter genomes spanning continental East Asia, including a population at Kinmen, a small island off the Fujian coast, China. The otters form three genetic clusters (one of L. l. lutra in the north and two of L. l. chinensis in the south), which have diverged in the Holocene. These three clusters should be recognized as three conservation management units to monitor and manage independently. The heterozygosity of the East Asian otters is as low as that of the threatened carnivores sequenced. Historical effective population size trajectories inferred from genomic variations suggest that their low genomic diversity could be partially attributed to changes in the climate since the mid-Pleistocene and anthropogenic intervention since the Holocene. However, no evidence of genetic erosion, mutation load, or high level of inbreeding was detected in the presumably isolated Kinmen Island population. Any future in situ conservation efforts should consider this information for the conservation management units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou‐Hsien Li
- School of Life ScienceNational Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chia‐fen Yeh
- School of Life ScienceNational Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | | | - Shih‐Wei Chang
- Division of ZoologyEndemic Species Research InstituteNantouTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Hsiu Lin
- Division of ZoologyEndemic Species Research InstituteNantouTaiwan
| | - Cheng‐En Tsai
- School of Life ScienceNational Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Cheng Chiu
- School of Life ScienceNational Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | | | - Hui‐Ru Ke
- Genomics BioSci & Tech Co., Ltd.New Taipei CityTaiwan
| | - Qiaoyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology/School of Life SciencesSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yiwei Lu
- Zhejiang Museum of Natural HistoryZhejiang Biodiversity Research CenterHangzhouChina
| | - Kaidan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology/School of Life SciencesSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Pengfei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology/School of Life SciencesSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology/School of Life SciencesSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology/School of Life SciencesSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Lescroart J, Bonilla-Sánchez A, Napolitano C, Buitrago-Torres DL, Ramírez-Chaves HE, Pulido-Santacruz P, Murphy WJ, Svardal H, Eizirik E. Extensive Phylogenomic Discordance and the Complex Evolutionary History of the Neotropical Cat Genus Leopardus. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad255. [PMID: 37987559 PMCID: PMC10701098 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Even in the genomics era, the phylogeny of Neotropical small felids comprised in the genus Leopardus remains contentious. We used whole-genome resequencing data to construct a time-calibrated consensus phylogeny of this group, quantify phylogenomic discordance, test for interspecies introgression, and assess patterns of genetic diversity and demographic history. We infer that the Leopardus radiation started in the Early Pliocene as an initial speciation burst, followed by another in its subgenus Oncifelis during the Early Pleistocene. Our findings challenge the long-held notion that ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and margay (L. wiedii) are sister species and instead indicate that margay is most closely related to the enigmatic Andean cat (L. jacobita), whose whole-genome data are reported here for the first time. In addition, we found that the newly sampled Andean tiger cat (L. tigrinus pardinoides) population from Colombia associates closely with Central American tiger cats (L. tigrinus oncilla). Genealogical discordance was largely attributable to incomplete lineage sorting, yet was augmented by strong gene flow between ocelot and the ancestral branch of Oncifelis, as well as between Geoffroy's cat (L. geoffroyi) and southern tiger cat (L. guttulus). Contrasting demographic trajectories have led to disparate levels of current genomic diversity, with a nearly tenfold difference in heterozygosity between Andean cat and ocelot, spanning the entire range of variability found in extant felids. Our analyses improved our understanding of the speciation history and diversity patterns in this felid radiation, and highlight the benefits to phylogenomic inference of embracing the many heterogeneous signals scattered across the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Lescroart
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alejandra Bonilla-Sánchez
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Constanza Napolitano
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Concepción, Chile
- Cape Horn International Center, Puerto Williams, Chile
- Andean Cat Alliance, Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina
| | - Diana L Buitrago-Torres
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Héctor E Ramírez-Chaves
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia
- Centro de Museos, Museo de Historia Natural, University of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia
| | | | - William J Murphy
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics & Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Hannes Svardal
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Eizirik
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, Brazil
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du Plessis SJ, Blaxter M, Koepfli KP, Chadwick EA, Hailer F. Genomics Reveals Complex Population History and Unexpected Diversity of Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Britain Relative to Genetic Methods. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad207. [PMID: 37713621 PMCID: PMC10630326 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Conservation genetic analyses of many endangered species have been based on genotyping of microsatellite loci and sequencing of short fragments of mtDNA. The increase in power and resolution afforded by whole genome approaches may challenge conclusions made on limited numbers of loci and maternally inherited haploid markers. Here, we provide a matched comparison of whole genome sequencing versus microsatellite and control region (CR) genotyping for Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). Previous work identified four genetically differentiated "stronghold" populations of otter in Britain, derived from regional populations that survived the population crash of the 1950s-1980s. Using whole genome resequencing data from 45 samples from across the British stronghold populations, we confirmed some aspects of population structure derived from previous marker-driven studies. Importantly, we showed that genomic signals of the population crash bottlenecks matched evidence from otter population surveys. Unexpectedly, two strongly divergent mitochondrial lineages were identified that were undetectable using CR fragments, and otters in the east of England were genetically distinct and surprisingly variable. We hypothesize that this previously unsuspected variability may derive from past releases of Eurasian otters from other, non-British source populations in England around the time of the population bottleneck. Our work highlights that even reasonably well-studied species may harbor genetic surprises, if studied using modern high-throughput sequencing methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Blaxter
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, George Mason University, Front Royal, VA, USA
- Centre for Species Survival, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Frank Hailer
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Wei Q, Wang X, Dong Y, Shang Y, Sun G, Wu X, Zhao C, Sha W, Yang G, Zhang H. Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Pteronura brasiliensis and Lontra canadensis. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3165. [PMID: 37893890 PMCID: PMC10603698 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
P. brasiliensis and L. canadensis are two otter species, which successfully occupied semi-aquatic habitats and diverged from other Mustelidae. Herein, the full-length mitochondrial genome sequences were constructed for these two otter species for the first time. Comparative mitochondrial genome, selection pressure, and phylogenetic independent contrasts (PICs) analyses were conducted to determine the structure and evolutionary characteristics of their mitochondrial genomes. Phylogenetic analyses were also conducted to confirm these two otter species' phylogenetic position. The results demonstrated that the mitochondrial genome structure of P. brasiliensis and L. canadensis were consistent across Mustelidae. However, selection pressure analyses demonstrated that the evolutionary rates of mitochondrial genome protein-coding genes (PCGs) ND1, ND4, and ND4L were higher in otters than in terrestrial Mustelidae, whereas the evolutionary rates of ND2, ND6, and COX1 were lower in otters. Additionally, PIC analysis demonstrated that the evolutionary rates of ND2, ND4, and ND4L markedly correlated with a niche type. Phylogenetic analysis showed that P. brasiliensis is situated at the base of the evolutionary tree of otters, and then L. canadensis diverged from it. This study suggests a divergent evolutionary pattern of Mustelidae mitochondrial genome PCGs, prompting the otters' adaptation to semi-aquatic habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinguo Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Q.W.); (G.Y.)
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Xibao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Yuehuan Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Yongquan Shang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Guolei Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Xiaoyang Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Chao Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Weilai Sha
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
| | - Guang Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Q.W.); (G.Y.)
| | - Honghai Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China; (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.S.); (G.S.); (X.W.); (C.Z.); (W.S.)
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Gu TT, Wu H, Yang F, Gaubert P, Heighton SP, Fu Y, Liu K, Luo SJ, Zhang HR, Hu JY, Yu L. Genomic analysis reveals a cryptic pangolin species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304096120. [PMID: 37748052 PMCID: PMC10556634 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304096120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Eight extant species of pangolins are currently recognized. Recent studies found that two mitochondrial haplotypes identified in confiscations in Hong Kong could not be assigned to any known pangolin species, implying the existence of a species. Here, we report that two additional mitochondrial haplotypes identified in independent confiscations from Yunnan align with the putative species haplotypes supporting the existence of this mysterious species/population. To verify the new species scenario we performed a comprehensive analysis of scale characteristics and 138 whole genomes representing all recognized pangolin species and the cryptic new species, 98 of which were generated here. Our morphometric results clearly attributed this cryptic species to Asian pangolins (Manis sp.) and the genomic data provide robust and compelling evidence that it is a pangolin species distinct from those recognized previously, which separated from the Philippine pangolin and Malayan pangolin over 5 Mya. Our study provides a solid genomic basis for its formal recognition as the ninth pangolin species or the fifth Asian one, supporting a new taxonomic classification of pangolins. The effects of glacial climate changes and recent anthropogenic activities driven by illegal trade are inferred to have caused its population decline with the genomic signatures showing low genetic diversity, a high level of inbreeding, and high genetic load. Our finding greatly expands current knowledge of pangolin diversity and evolution and has vital implications for conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of this enigmatic and endangered species from the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong-Tong Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Hong Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region999077, China
| | - Philippe Gaubert
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Université Toulouse III–Paul Sabatier, 31062Toulouse Cedex 9, France
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Porto4450-208, Portugal
| | - Sean P. Heighton
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Université Toulouse III–Paul Sabatier, 31062Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Yeyizhou Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Ke Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Shu-Jin Luo
- The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Hua-Rong Zhang
- Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region999077, China
| | - Jing-Yang Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Li Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
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Graham AM, Jamison JM, Bustos M, Cournoyer C, Michaels A, Presnell JS, Richter R, Crocker DE, Fustukjian A, Hunter ME, Rea LD, Marsillach J, Furlong CE, Meyer WK, Clark NL. Reduction of Paraoxonase Expression Followed by Inactivation across Independent Semiaquatic Mammals Suggests Stepwise Path to Pseudogenization. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad104. [PMID: 37146172 PMCID: PMC10202596 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Convergent adaptation to the same environment by multiple lineages frequently involves rapid evolutionary change at the same genes, implicating these genes as important for environmental adaptation. Such adaptive molecular changes may yield either change or loss of protein function; loss of function can eliminate newly deleterious proteins or reduce energy necessary for protein production. We previously found a striking case of recurrent pseudogenization of the Paraoxonase 1 (Pon1) gene among aquatic mammal lineages-Pon1 became a pseudogene with genetic lesions, such as stop codons and frameshifts, at least four times independently in aquatic and semiaquatic mammals. Here, we assess the landscape and pace of pseudogenization by studying Pon1 sequences, expression levels, and enzymatic activity across four aquatic and semiaquatic mammal lineages: pinnipeds, cetaceans, otters, and beavers. We observe in beavers and pinnipeds an unexpected reduction in expression of Pon3, a paralog with similar expression patterns but different substrate preferences. Ultimately, in all lineages with aquatic/semiaquatic members, we find that preceding any coding-level pseudogenization events in Pon1, there is a drastic decrease in expression, followed by relaxed selection, thus allowing accumulation of disrupting mutations. The recurrent loss of Pon1 function in aquatic/semiaquatic lineages is consistent with a benefit to Pon1 functional loss in aquatic environments. Accordingly, we examine diving and dietary traits across pinniped species as potential driving forces of Pon1 functional loss. We find that loss is best associated with diving activity and likely results from changes in selective pressures associated with hypoxia and hypoxia-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allie M Graham
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jerrica M Jamison
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto—Scarborough, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marisol Bustos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas—San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | | | - Alexa Michaels
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
| | - Jason S Presnell
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Rebecca Richter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
| | | | - Margaret E Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL
| | - Lorrie D Rea
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska—Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
| | - Judit Marsillach
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA
| | - Clement E Furlong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Wynn K Meyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
| | - Nathan L Clark
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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Wu X, Chen J, Wang X, Shang Y, Wei Q, Zhang H. Evolutionary Impacts of Pattern Recognition Receptor Genes on Carnivora Complex Habitat Stress Adaptation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233331. [PMID: 36496853 PMCID: PMC9739989 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Many mammals develop specific immune responses owing to the changes in their ecological niche and diet that are essential for animal survival. However, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) serve as the first line of defense in innate immunity and generate immune responses in the host. However, the evolutionary impacts on PRR genes in Carnivora are not well studied. Herein, we explored the evolution of 946 PRR gene sequences in 43 Carnivora species to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of carnivore adaptation to complex habitats. We found that the PRRs were relatively conserved, and different gene families showed different evolutionary patterns. PRRs were highly purified based on their overall roles in Carnivora species but interspersed with positive-selection patterns during evolution. Different niche types may have jointly driven the evolution of PRR genes. In particular, the selection pressure of toll-like receptor (TLR) 10 was relaxed in seven species with pseudogenes, which may have emerged during recent evolutionary events. We speculated that a "functional compensation" mechanism may exist for genes with overlapping functions in the TLR gene family. Additionally, TLR2, TLR4, NLRC5, and DECTIN1 were subject to positive selection in semi-aquatic species, and the adaptive evolution of these genes may have been related to the adaptation to semi-aquatic environments. In summary, our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular and functional evolution of PRR genes, which are important for immune adaptations in Carnivora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Jun Chen
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266005, China
| | - Xibao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Yongquan Shang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Qinguo Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Honghai Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
- Correspondence:
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