1
|
Wang CF, Du Y, Guo K, Ji X. Species-Specific Seasonal Shifts in Reproductive Allocation in the Southern Grass Lizard, Takydromus sexlineatus (Lacertidae). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1167. [PMID: 38672315 PMCID: PMC11047575 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081167] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We designed a common garden design to collect data on female reproductive traits from three populations of the southern grass lizard Takydromus sexlineatus, testing the hypothesis that a species-specific pattern of seasonal shifts in reproductive allocation should be shared by geographically separated populations. Of the seven examined traits, six differed among populations, with four of the six also differing among successive clutches. Females grew longer during the breeding season and produced more eggs in the first clutch than in the subsequent clutches; egg size was unchanged throughout the breeding season. After removing the influence of female size or postpartum body mass we found the following. First, postpartum body mass, clutch mass, and relative clutch mass were greater in the Wuzhishan population than in the Shaoguan and Zhaoqing populations. Second, egg size was greatest in the Wuzhishan population and smallest in the Zhaoqing population. Third, clutch size was greatest in the Wuzhishan population and smallest in the Shaoguan population. Females did not trade-off egg size against number within each population × clutch combination. Our study validates the hypothesis tested, supports the conventional view that reproductive output is highly linked to maternal body size in lizards, and follows the classic prediction that females with different amounts of resources to invest in reproduction should give priority to adjusting the total number rather than size of their offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Feng Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (C.-F.W.); (K.G.)
- Institute for Eco-Environmental Research of Sanyang Wetland, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325014, China
| | - Yu Du
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Herpetological Research, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572022, China;
| | - Kun Guo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (C.-F.W.); (K.G.)
| | - Xiang Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (C.-F.W.); (K.G.)
- Institute for Eco-Environmental Research of Sanyang Wetland, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325014, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liang T, Dai W, Zhang Z, Bempah G, Shi L, Lu C. Altitudinal gradients and body size variation among Chinese lizards in different terrains. J Zool (1987) 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Liang
- Wildlife Conservation and Utilization Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - W. Dai
- Wildlife Conservation and Utilization Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - Z. Zhang
- Wildlife Conservation and Utilization Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - G. Bempah
- Wildlife Conservation and Utilization Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - L. Shi
- College of Life Sciences Xinjiang Agricultural University Urumqi Xinjiang China
| | - C. Lu
- Wildlife Conservation and Utilization Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ma M, Luo S, Tang X, Chen Q. Age structure and growth pattern of a high-altitude lizard population based on age determination by skeletochronology. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:491-500. [PMID: 35226410 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Age determination provides crucial data regarding the life history of a species. Skeletochronology is considered to be a reliable method for age determination but is seldom applied to the genus Phrynocephalus (Agamidae) as it requires careful bone histological analysis to determine the formation of the lines of arrested growth (LAGs). We analyzed LAGs in different bones of Phrynocephalus vlangalii, a small, high-altitude lizard, and demonstrated that the phalanges are the best materials for skeletochronology in this species. We also found that the proximal half of the phalangeal diaphysis exhibits the most complete LAGs because of the unidirectional longitudinal growth of the phalange. Histologically, as the embryo bone that developed during the embryonic period was preserved even in very old individuals, no LAGs were eroded by endosteal resorption in the phalanges. The maximum age was 4 years for males and 5 years for females. It was determined that the age at maturity was 3 years for males and 2 or 3 years for females. On the basis of age determination, the age structures of both sexes were compared, and age-specific growth differences between the sexes were also analyzed. No differences in the snout-vent length were observed between sexes in any age group. However, the tail length of males aged 3 and above was significantly longer than that of females. Thus, the use of phalanges in the age determination of P. vlangalii is effective and can be widely applied to the ecological studies of this species as well as other small lizards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Ma
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Shuang Luo
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li Y, Burridge CP, Lv Y, Peng Z. Morphometric and population genomic evidence for species divergence in the Chimarrichthys fish complex of the Tibetan Plateau. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 159:107117. [PMID: 33609705 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau altered the environmental conditions of the local area substantially. Here, we conducted a comprehensive investigation based on morphometrics, population genomics, and climatic factors to evaluate phenotypic and genome-level variations in a radiation of Chimarrichthys catfish endemic to the Plateau. Discriminant function analysis showed phenotypic differences of Chimarrichthys between rivers with respect to elevation. Genetic structure analysis based on 6606 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) deduced genetic differences between rivers, and species delimitation indicated that the Chimarrichthys fish complex could be divided into three species. Restriction site-associated DNA tags were mapped to the gene sets of Glyptosternon maculatum, and matches were searched against databases for Gene Ontology annotation. Genomic regions exhibiting marked differences among localities represented a range of biological functions, including growth (gdf11), bone development (bmp8a), cellular response to light stimulus (opn3), regulation of the rhodopsin-mediated signalling pathway (grk1), immune response (rag1 and ung), reproductive process (antxr2), and regulation of intracellular iron levels (ireb2). The tag44126, where gene gdf11 is located, was identified as an outlier exhibiting divergence between rivers with altitude differences, and the SNP is thymine (T) in Dadu and Yalong River (~2700 m), but guanine (G) in Jinsha and Qingyi rivers (~2200 and ~ 684 m), suggesting a possible effect of altitude on its differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Li
- The Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Southwest University School of Life Sciences, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Fishes Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Life Sciences, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang 641000, China
| | - Christopher P Burridge
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Yunyun Lv
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Fishes Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Life Sciences, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang 641000, China
| | - Zuogang Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Southwest University School of Life Sciences, Chongqing 400715, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhao W, Zhao Y, Guo R, Qi Y, Wang X, Li N. Age and annual growth rate cause spatial variation in body size in Phrynocephalus przewalskii (Agamid). Ecol Evol 2020; 10:14189-14195. [PMID: 33391709 PMCID: PMC7771167 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether or not biogeographic rules dealing with spatial patterns of animal body sizes are valid for ectotherms is controversial. As the ectotherms grow all their lives, we explored the role of age and annual growth rate in body size variation in Phrynocephalus przewalskii in northern China. Morphological data were collected from 11 populations across a broad geographic gradient. Correlations between age, sex, climatic factors, and body size were analyzed using generalized linear model (GLM) and generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). GLM analysis indicated that the general body size of both sexes and the appendage size of females increased significantly with increasing temperature; however, the coefficient of determination was very small. GLMM analysis indicated that body size only correlated with age, whereas appendage size was affected by age, temperature, rainfall, and sunshine. Annual growth rates were positively correlated with temperature. We concluded that body size variation was mainly caused by age structure and plasticity of the growth rate in P. przewalskii and did not follow Bergmann's rule; however, females followed Allen's rule. Future studies to investigate the effect of energy restriction are needed to further understand the relationship between growth rate and body size. We also suggest that further studies on thermal advantage and sexual selection may be helpful to understand appendage size variation in P. przewalskii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental PollutionSchool of Life SciencesLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Yangyang Zhao
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental PollutionSchool of Life SciencesLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Rui Guo
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental PollutionSchool of Life SciencesLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
- College of life sciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Yue Qi
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental PollutionSchool of Life SciencesLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental PollutionSchool of Life SciencesLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Na Li
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental PollutionSchool of Life SciencesLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jin Y, Y C Brandt D, Li J, Wo Y, Tong H, Shchur V. Elevation as a selective force on mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes of the Phrynocephalus lizards in the Tibetan plateau. Curr Zool 2020; 67:191-199. [PMID: 33854537 PMCID: PMC8026157 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals living in extremely high elevations have to adapt to low temperatures and low oxygen availability (hypoxia), but the underlying genetic mechanisms associated with these adaptations are still unclear. The mitochondrial respiratory chain can provide >95% of the ATP in animal cells, and its efficiency is influenced by temperature and oxygen availability. Therefore, the respiratory chain complexes (RCCs) could be important molecular targets for positive selection associated with respiratory adaptation in high-altitude environments. Here, we investigated positive selection in 5 RCCs and their assembly factors by analyzing sequences of 106 genes obtained through RNA-seq of all 15 Chinese Phrynocephalus lizard species, which are distributed from lowlands to the Tibetan plateau (average elevation >4,500 m). Our results indicate that evidence of positive selection on RCC genes is not significantly different from assembly factors, and we found no difference in selective pressures among the 5 complexes. We specifically looked for positive selection in lineages where changes in habitat elevation happened. The group of lineages evolving from low to high altitude show stronger signals of positive selection than lineages evolving from high to low elevations. Lineages evolving from low to high elevation also have more shared codons under positive selection, though the changes are not equivalent at the amino acid level. This study advances our understanding of the genetic basis of animal respiratory metabolism evolution in extreme high environments and provides candidate genes for further confirmation with functional analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanting Jin
- College of Life Science, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Débora Y C Brandt
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3140, USA
| | - Jiasheng Li
- College of Life Science, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Yubin Wo
- College of Life Science, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Haojie Tong
- College of Life Science, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Vladimir Shchur
- International Laboratory of Statistical and Computational Genomics, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ma L, Liu P, Su S, Luo LG, Zhao WG, Ji X. Life-history consequences of local adaptation in lizards: Takydromus wolteri (Lacertidae) as a model organism. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shan Su
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lai-Gao Luo
- School of Biology and Food Engineering, Chuzhou University, Anhui, China
| | - Wen-Ge Zhao
- College of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiang Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Adaptive Evolution of the Eda Gene and Scales Loss in Schizothoracine Fishes in Response to Uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19102953. [PMID: 30262767 PMCID: PMC6213870 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19102953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizothoracine is the predominant wild fish subfamily of the Tibetan plateau (TP). Their scales, pharyngeal teeth and barbels have gradually regressed with increasing altitude. Schizothoracine have been divided into three groups: primitive, specialized and highly specialized. Ectodysplasin-A (Eda) has been considered as a major gene that contributes to the development of skin appendages. The present study cloned the Eda genes of 51 Schizothoracine fish species which represent the three groups and five Barbinae species. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that Eda may have acted as the genetic trigger for scale loss in the Schizothoracine. Furthermore, 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two deletions (18 bp and 6 bp in size), were also detected in the Eda coding sequence of the highly specialized group compared to the primitive group. The same SNPs and two indels result in four non-synonymous and two G-X-Y and 1 XY motif indels, which possibly contribute to significant structure changes in the Eda gene. The domain including (G-X-Y)n motif in the Eda gene is relatively conserved amongst teleosts. Based on the above results, we hypothesize that the evolution of Eda gene might be associated with the scale loss in Schizothoracine fishes in response to the phased uplift of the TP.
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhang W, Li N, Tang X, Liu N, Zhao W. Changes in intestinal microbiota across an altitudinal gradient in the lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:4695-4703. [PMID: 29760909 PMCID: PMC5938461 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
High altitude is an important driving force in animal evolution. However, the effect of altitude on gut microbial communities in reptiles has not been examined in detail. Here, we investigated the intestinal microbiota of three populations of the lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii living at different altitudes using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla. Bacteroides, Odoribacter, and Parabacteroides were the most abundant genera. Significant differences in the intestinal microbiota composition were found among the three populations from different altitudes. The proportions of Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia decreased, whereas Bacteroides increased significantly with altitude. Greater abundance of Bacteroides at higher altitude led to the fractional increase in the phylum Bacteroides relative to other phyla. Hypoxia may be the main factor that caused intestinal microbiota variation in P. vlangalii along the altitude gradient. Overall, our study suggested that the community composition and structure of intestinal microbiota of the lizard P. vlangalii varied along altitudes, and such differences likely play a certain role in highland adaptation. Our findings warrant a further study that would determine whether ambient and body temperatures play a key role in the modulation of intestinal microbiota in reptiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Zhang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution School of Life Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Na Li
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution School of Life Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution School of Life Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Naifa Liu
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution School of Life Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution School of Life Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jin Y, Wo Y, Tong H, Song S, Zhang L, Brown RP. Evolutionary analysis of mitochondrially encoded proteins of toad-headed lizards, Phrynocephalus, along an altitudinal gradient. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:185. [PMID: 29510674 PMCID: PMC5840783 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4569-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Animals living at high altitude must adapt to environments with hypoxia and low temperatures, but relatively little is known about underlying genetic changes. Toad-headed lizards of the genus Phrynocephalus cover a broad altitudinal gradient of over 4000 m and are useful models for studies of such adaptive responses. In one of the first studies to have considered selection on mitochondrial protein-coding regions in an ectothermic group distributed over such a wide range of environments, we analysed nineteen complete mitochondrial genomes from all Chinese Phrynocephalus (including eight genomes sequenced for the first time). Initial analyses used site and branch-site model (program: PAML) approaches to examine nonsynonymous: synonymous substitution rates across the mtDNA tree. Results Ten positively selected sites were discovered, nine of which corresponded to subunits ND2, ND3, ND4, ND5, and ND6 within the respiratory chain enzyme mitochondrial Complex I (NADH Coenzyme Q oxidoreductase). Four of these sites showed evidence of general long-term selection across the group while the remainder showed evidence of episodic selection across different branches of the tree. Some of these branches corresponded to increases in altitude and/or latitude. Analyses of physicochemical changes in protein structures revealed that residue changes at sites that were under selection corresponded to major functional differences. Analyses of coevolution point to coevolution of selected sites within the ND4 subunit, with key sites associated with proton translocation across the mitochondrial membrane. Conclusions Our results identify mitochondrial Complex I as a target for environment-mediated selection in this group of lizards, a complex that frequently appears to be under selection in other organisms. This makes these lizards good candidates for more detailed future studies of molecular evolution. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4569-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanting Jin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yubin Wo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Haojie Tong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Sen Song
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixun Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Richard P Brown
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lu S, Xin Y, Tang X, Yue F, Wang H, Bai Y, Niu Y, Chen Q. Differences in Hematological Traits between High- and Low-Altitude Lizards (Genus Phrynocephalus). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125751. [PMID: 25955247 PMCID: PMC4425549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phrynocephalus erythrurus (Lacertilia: Agamidae) is considered to be the highest living reptile in the world (about 4500-5000 m above sea level), whereas Phrynocephalus przewalskii inhabits low altitudes (about 1000-1500 m above sea level). Here, we report the differences in hematological traits between these two different Phrynocephalus species. Compared with P. przewalskii, the results indicated that P. erythrurus own higher oxygen carrying capacity by increasing red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and hematocrit (Hct) and these elevations could promote oxygen carrying capacity without disadvantage of high viscosity. The lower partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) of P. erythrurus did not cause the secondary alkalosis, which may be attributed to an efficient pulmonary system for oxygen (O2) loading. The elevated blood-O2 affinity in P. erythrurus may be achieved by increasing intrinsic O2 affinity of isoHbs and balancing the independent effects of potential heterotropic ligands. We detected one α-globin gene and three β-globin genes with 1 and 33 amino acid substitutions between these two species, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that amino acids substitutions in β-globin chains could lead to the elimination of hydrogen bonds in T-state Hb models of P. erythrurus. Based on the present data, we suggest that P. erythrurus have evolved an efficient oxygen transport system under the unremitting hypobaric hypoxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Songsong Lu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ying Xin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Feng Yue
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yucheng Bai
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yonggang Niu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Michael DR, Banks SC, Piggott MP, Cunningham RB, Crane M, MacGregor C, McBurney L, Lindenmayer DB. Geographical variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism in an Australian lizard, Boulenger's Skink (Morethia boulengeri). PLoS One 2014; 9:e109830. [PMID: 25337999 PMCID: PMC4206273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecogeographical rules help explain spatial and temporal patterns in intraspecific body size. However, many of these rules, when applied to ectothermic organisms such as reptiles, are controversial and require further investigation. To explore factors that influence body size in reptiles, we performed a heuristic study to examine body size variation in an Australian lizard, Boulenger's Skink Morethia boulengeri from agricultural landscapes in southern New South Wales, south-eastern Australia. We collected tissue and morphological data on 337 adult lizards across a broad elevation and climate gradient. We used a model-selection procedure to determine if environmental or ecological variables best explained body size variation. We explored the relationship between morphology and phylogenetic structure before modeling candidate variables from four broad domains: (1) geography (latitude, longitude and elevation), (2) climate (temperature and rainfall), (3) habitat (vegetation type, number of logs and ground cover attributes), and (4) management (land use and grazing history). Broad phylogenetic structure was evident, but on a scale larger than our study area. Lizards were sexually dimorphic, whereby females had longer snout-vent length than males, providing support for the fecundity selection hypothesis. Body size variation in M. boulengeri was correlated with temperature and rainfall, a pattern consistent with larger individuals occupying cooler and more productive parts of the landscape. Climate change forecasts, which predict warmer temperature and increased aridity, may result in reduced lizard biomass and decoupling of trophic interactions with potential implications for community organization and ecosystem function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damian R. Michael
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Sam C. Banks
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Maxine P. Piggott
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Ross B. Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Mason Crane
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Christopher MacGregor
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Lachlan McBurney
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and National Environment Research Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kuo CC, Wang CF, Tsai JI, Feng FL, Huang KW. Altitudinal variation in body size in Abacarus panticis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae). Ecol Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-013-1090-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|