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Genome Evolution and the Future of Phylogenomics of Non-Avian Reptiles. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030471. [PMID: 36766360 PMCID: PMC9913427 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-avian reptiles comprise a large proportion of amniote vertebrate diversity, with squamate reptiles-lizards and snakes-recently overtaking birds as the most species-rich tetrapod radiation. Despite displaying an extraordinary diversity of phenotypic and genomic traits, genomic resources in non-avian reptiles have accumulated more slowly than they have in mammals and birds, the remaining amniotes. Here we review the remarkable natural history of non-avian reptiles, with a focus on the physical traits, genomic characteristics, and sequence compositional patterns that comprise key axes of variation across amniotes. We argue that the high evolutionary diversity of non-avian reptiles can fuel a new generation of whole-genome phylogenomic analyses. A survey of phylogenetic investigations in non-avian reptiles shows that sequence capture-based approaches are the most commonly used, with studies of markers known as ultraconserved elements (UCEs) especially well represented. However, many other types of markers exist and are increasingly being mined from genome assemblies in silico, including some with greater information potential than UCEs for certain investigations. We discuss the importance of high-quality genomic resources and methods for bioinformatically extracting a range of marker sets from genome assemblies. Finally, we encourage herpetologists working in genomics, genetics, evolutionary biology, and other fields to work collectively towards building genomic resources for non-avian reptiles, especially squamates, that rival those already in place for mammals and birds. Overall, the development of this cross-amniote phylogenomic tree of life will contribute to illuminate interesting dimensions of biodiversity across non-avian reptiles and broader amniotes.
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Esquerré D, Donnellan SC, Pavón-Vázquez CJ, Fenker J, Keogh JS. Phylogeography, historical demography and systematics of the world's smallest pythons (Pythonidae, Antaresia). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 161:107181. [PMID: 33892100 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Advances from empirical studies in phylogeography, systematics and species delimitation highlight the importance of integrative approaches for quantifying taxonomic diversity. Genomic data have greatly improved our ability to discern both systematic diversity and evolutionary history. Here we combine analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences, thousands of genome-wide SNPs and linear and geometric morphometrics on Antaresia, a clade of four currently recognised dwarf pythons from Australia and New Guinea (Antaresia childreni, A. stimsoni, A. maculosa and A. perthensis). Our integrative analyses of phylogenetics, population structure, species delimitation, historical demography and morphometrics revealed that the true evolutionary diversity is not well reflected in the current appraisal of the diversity of the group. We find that Antaresia childreni and A. stimsoni comprise a widespread network of populations connected by gene flow and without evidence of species-level divergence among them. However, A. maculosa shows considerable genetic structuring which leads us to recognise two subspecies in northeastern Australia and a new species in Torres Strait and New Guinea. These two contrasting cases of over and under estimation of diversity, respectively, illustrate the power of thorough integrative approaches into understanding evolution of biodiversity. Furthermore, our analyses of historical demographic patterns highlight the importance of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Cape York as origins of biodiversity in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Esquerré
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
| | | | - Carlos J Pavón-Vázquez
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Jéssica Fenker
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - J Scott Keogh
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
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Davis HR, Das I, Leaché AD, Karin BR, Brennan IG, Jackman TR, Nashriq I, Onn Chan K, Bauer AM. Genetically diverse yet morphologically conserved: Hidden diversity revealed among Bornean geckos (Gekkonidae:
Cyrtodactylus
). J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hayden R. Davis
- Department of Biology Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture University of Washington Seattle WA USA
- Department of Biology Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship Villanova University Villanova PA USA
| | - Indraneil Das
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Kota Samarahan Malaysia
| | - Adam D. Leaché
- Department of Biology Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture University of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - Benjamin R. Karin
- Department of Integrative Biology Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California Berkeley CA USA
| | - Ian G. Brennan
- Division of Ecology and Evolution Research School of Biology The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Todd R. Jackman
- Department of Biology Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship Villanova University Villanova PA USA
| | - Izneil Nashriq
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Kota Samarahan Malaysia
| | - Kin Onn Chan
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum National University of Singapore Singapore
| | - Aaron M. Bauer
- Department of Biology Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship Villanova University Villanova PA USA
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Wüster W, Thomson SA, O’shea M, Kaiser H. Confronting taxonomic vandalism in biology: conscientious community self-organization can preserve nomenclatural stability. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Self-published taxon descriptions, bereft of a basis of evidence, are a long-standing problem in taxonomy. The problem derives in part from the Principle of Priority in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which forces the use of the oldest available nomen irrespective of scientific merit. This provides a route to ‘immortality’ for unscrupulous individuals through the mass-naming of taxa without scientific basis, a phenomenon referred to as taxonomic vandalism. Following a flood of unscientific taxon namings, in 2013 a group of concerned herpetologists organized a widely supported, community-based campaign to treat these nomina as lying outside the permanent scientific record, and to ignore and overwrite them as appropriate. Here, we review the impact of these proposals over the past 8 years. We identified 59 instances of unscientific names being set aside and overwritten with science-based names (here termed aspidonyms), and 1087 uses of these aspidonyms, compared to one instance of preference for the overwritten names. This shows that when there is widespread consultation and agreement across affected research communities, setting aside certain provisions of the Code can constitute an effective last resort defence against taxonomic vandalism and enhance the universality and stability of the scientific nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Scott A Thomson
- Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Divisão de Vertebrados (Herpetologia), Avenida Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga, 04263-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Chelonian Research Institute, 401 South Central Avenue, Oviedo, FL 32765, USA
| | - Mark O’shea
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK
| | - Hinrich Kaiser
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Biology, Victor Valley College, 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395, USA
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Porter AF, Pettersson JHO, Chang WS, Harvey E, Rose K, Shi M, Eden JS, Buchmann J, Moritz C, Holmes EC. Novel hepaci- and pegi-like viruses in native Australian wildlife and non-human primates. Virus Evol 2020; 6:veaa064. [PMID: 33240526 PMCID: PMC7673076 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Flaviviridae family of positive-sense RNA viruses contains important pathogens of humans and other animals, including Zika virus, dengue virus, and hepatitis C virus. The Flaviviridae are currently divided into four genera-Hepacivirus, Pegivirus, Pestivirus, and Flavivirus-each with a diverse host range. Members of the genus Hepacivirus are associated with an array of animal species, including humans, non-human primates, other mammalian species, as well as birds and fish, while the closely related pegiviruses have been identified in a variety of mammalian taxa, also including humans. Using a combination of total RNA and whole-genome sequencing we identified four novel hepaci-like viruses and one novel variant of a known hepacivirus in five species of Australian wildlife. The hosts infected comprised native Australian marsupials and birds, as well as a native gecko (Gehyra lauta). From these data we identified a distinct marsupial clade of hepaci-like viruses that also included an engorged Ixodes holocyclus tick collected while feeding on Australian long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta). Distinct lineages of hepaci-like viruses associated with geckos and birds were also identified. By mining the SRA database we similarly identified three new hepaci-like viruses from avian and primate hosts, as well as two novel pegi-like viruses associated with primates. The phylogenetic history of the hepaci- and pegi-like viruses as a whole, combined with co-phylogenetic analysis, provided support for virus-host co-divergence over the course of vertebrate evolution, although with frequent cross-species virus transmission. Overall, our work highlights the diversity of the Hepacivirus and Pegivirus genera as well as the uncertain phylogenetic distinction between.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh F Porter
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - John H-O Pettersson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Wei-Shan Chang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Erin Harvey
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Karrie Rose
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman 2088, Australia
| | - Mang Shi
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - John-Sebastian Eden
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Buchmann
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Craig Moritz
- Research School of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Analysis, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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Ortiz-Baez AS, Eden JS, Moritz C, Holmes EC. A Divergent Articulavirus in an Australian Gecko Identified Using Meta-Transcriptomics and Protein Structure Comparisons. Viruses 2020; 12:v12060613. [PMID: 32512909 PMCID: PMC7354609 DOI: 10.3390/v12060613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of highly divergent RNA viruses is compromised by their limited sequence similarity to known viruses. Evolutionary information obtained from protein structural modelling offers a powerful approach to detect distantly related viruses based on the conservation of tertiary structures in key proteins such as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). We utilised a template-based approach for protein structure prediction from amino acid sequences to identify distant evolutionary relationships among viruses detected in meta-transcriptomic sequencing data from Australian wildlife. The best predicted protein structural model was compared with the results of similarity searches against protein databases. Using this combination of meta-transcriptomics and protein structure prediction we identified the RdRp (PB1) gene segment of a divergent negative-sense RNA virus, denoted Lauta virus (LTAV), in a native Australian gecko (Gehyra lauta). The presence of this virus was confirmed by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Lauta virus likely represents a newly described genus within the family Amnoonviridae, order Articulavirales, that is most closely related to the fish virus Tilapia tilapinevirus (TiLV). These findings provide important insights into the evolution of negative-sense RNA viruses and structural conservation of the viral replicase among members of the order Articulavirales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayda Susana Ortiz-Baez
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia; (A.S.O.-B.); (J-S.E.)
| | - John-Sebastian Eden
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia; (A.S.O.-B.); (J-S.E.)
- Centre for Virus Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Craig Moritz
- Research School of Biology & Centre for Biodiversity Analysis, The Australian National University, Acton ACT 6201, Australia;
| | - Edward C. Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia; (A.S.O.-B.); (J-S.E.)
- Correspondence:
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