Population History Shapes Responses to Different Temperature Regimes in Drosophila subobscura

Drosophila subobscura is considered a good model species for investigation of a population's ability to adapt and cope with climate changes. Decade long research has shown that inversion frequencies change in response to environmental factors indicating their role in adaptation to novel environments. The mechanisms behind organisms' responses to temperature are complex, involving changes in physiology, behavior, gene expression and regulation. On the other hand, a population's ability to respond to suboptimal conditions depends on standing genetic variation and population history. In order to elucidate the role of local adaptation in population response to the changing temperature, we investigated the response to temperature in D. subobscura individuals originating from two different altitudes by combining traditional cytogenetic techniques with assessing the levels of Hsp70 protein expression. Inversion polymorphism was assessed in the flies sampled from natural populations and in flies reared in laboratory conditions at three different temperatures after five and sixteen generations and Hsp70 protein expression profile in 12th generation flies at the basal level and after heat shock induction. Our results indicate that local adaptation and population history influence population response to the changing temperature.

Sex ratio and relatedness in the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population of Serbia

Background

Once a widespread species across the region of Southeast Europe, the Griffon vulture is now confined to small and isolated populations across the Balkan Peninsula. The population from Serbia represents its biggest and most viable population that can serve as an important reservoir of genetic diversity from which the birds can be used for the region's reintroduction programmes. The available genetic data for this valuable population are scarce and as a protected species that belongs to the highly endangered vulture group, it needs to be well described so that it can be properly managed and used as a restocking population. Considering the serious recent bottleneck event that the Griffon vulture population from Serbia experienced we estimated the overall relatedness among the birds from this population. Sex ratio, another important parameter that shows the vitality and strength of the population was evaluated as well.

Methods

During the annual monitoring that was performed in the period from 2013-2021, we collected blood samples from individual birds that were marked in the nests. In total, 169 samples were collected and each was used for molecular sexing while 58 presumably unrelated birds from different nests were used for inbreeding and relatedness analyses. The relatedness was estimated using both biparentally (10 microsatellite loci) and uniparentally (Cytb and D-loop I of mitochondrial DNA) inherited markers.

Results

The level of inbreeding was relatively high and on average it was 8.3% while the mean number of relatives for each bird was close to three. The sex ratio was close to 1:1 and for the analysed period of 9 years, it didn't demonstrate a statistically significant deviation from the expected ratio of 1:1, suggesting that this is a stable and healthy population. Our data suggest that, even though a relatively high level of inbreeding can be detected among the individual birds, the Griffon vulture population from Serbia can be used as a source population for restocking and reintroduction programmes in the region. These data combined with previously observed genetic differentiation between the populations from the Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas suggest that the introduction of foreign birds should be avoided and that local birds should be used instead.

Temperature-Specific and Sex-Specific Fitness Effects of Sympatric Mitochondrial and Mito-Nuclear Variation in Drosophila obscura

Simple Summary

Does variation in the mitochondrial DNA sequence influence the survival and reproduction of an individual? What is the purpose of genetic variation of the mitochondrial DNA between individuals from the same population? As a simple laboratory model, Drosophila species can give us the answer to this question. Creating experimental lines with different combinations of mitochondrial and nuclear genomic DNA and testing how successful these lines were in surviving in different experimental set-ups enables us to deduce the effect that both genomes have on fitness. This study on D. obscura experimentally validates theoretical models that explain the persistence of mitochondrial DNA variation within populations. Our results shed light on the various mechanisms that maintain this type of variation. Finally, by conducting the experiments on two experimental temperatures, we have shown that environmental variations can support mitochondrial DNA variation within populations.

Abstract

The adaptive significance of sympatric mitochondrial (mtDNA) variation and the role of selective mechanisms that maintain it are debated to this day. Isofemale lines of Drosophila obscura collected from four populations were backcrossed within populations to construct experimental lines, with all combinations of mtDNA Cyt b haplotypes and nuclear genetic backgrounds (nuDNA). Individuals of both sexes from these lines were then subjected to four fitness assays (desiccation resistance, developmental time, egg-to-adult viability and sex ratio) on two experimental temperatures to examine the role of temperature fluctuations and sex-specific selection, as well as the part that interactions between the two genomes play in shaping mtDNA variation. The results varied across populations and fitness components. In the majority of comparisons, they show that sympatric mitochondrial variants affect fitness. However, their effect should be examined in light of interactions with nuDNA, as mito-nuclear genotype was even more influential on fitness across all components. We found both sex-specific and temperature-specific differences in mitochondrial and mito-nuclear genotype ranks in all fitness components. The effect of temperature-specific selection was found to be more prominent, especially in desiccation resistance. From the results of different components tested, we can also infer that temperature-specific mito-nuclear interactions rather than sex-specific selection on mito-nuclear genotypes have a more substantial role in preserving mtDNA variation in this model species.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Mitochondrial Cytb Gene, Phylogeny and Phylogeography of Protected Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) from Serbia

Once a widespread and common species across the region of southeast Europe, the Griffon vulture is now confined to small and isolated populations across the Balkan Peninsula. The population from Serbia with 290 couples represents its biggest and most viable population that can serve as an important reservoir of genetic diversity from which the birds can be used for the region’s reintroduction or recolonization programs. To estimate the level of genetic diversity, the mitochondrial Cytb gene from 58 unrelated birds sampled during the marking in the nests was sequenced and compared to the homologous Griffon vulture sequences available in publicly accessible online databases. Phylogeographic analysis based on Cytb sequences showed that the most frequent haplotype is found in all Griffon vulture populations and that each population possesses private haplotypes. Our data suggest that the Griffon vulture population from Serbia should be used as a source population for restocking and reintroduction programs in the region. The observed genetic differentiation between the populations from the Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas suggest that the introduction of foreign birds from remote populations should be avoided and that birds from indigenous or neighboring populations, if available, should be used instead.

Life History Traits in Two Drosophila Species Differently Affected by Microbiota Diversity under Lead Exposure

Simple Summary

Microbiota have a significant functional role in the life of the host, including immunity, lifespan and reproduction. Drosophila species are attractive model organisms for investigating microbiota diversity from different aspects due to their simple gut microbiota, short generation time and high fertility. Considering such an important role of the microbiota in the life of Drosophila, we investigated the extent to which lead (Pb), as one of the most abundant heavy metals in the environment, affects the microbiota and the fitness of this insect host. The results indicate that different factors, such as population origin and sex, may affect individual traits differently and this could be species-specific. In addition, there are members of microbiota that help the host to overcome environmental stress and they could play a key role in reducing the fitness cost in such situations. Studying the influence of microbiota on the adaptive response to heavy metals and the potential implications on overall host fitness is of great pertinence.

Abstract

Life history traits determine the persistence and reproduction of each species. Factors that can affect life history traits are numerous and can be of different origin. We investigated the influence of population origin and heavy metal exposure on microbiota diversity and two life history traits, egg-to-adult viability and developmental time, in Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila subobscura, grown in the laboratory on a lead (II) acetate-saturated substrate. We used 24 samples, 8 larval and 16 adult samples (two species × two substrates × two populations × two sexes). The composition of microbiota was determined by sequencing (NGS) of the V3–V4 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. The population origin showed a significant influence on life history traits, though each trait in the two species was affected differentially. Reduced viability in D. melanogaster could be a cost of fast development, decrease in Lactobacillus abundance and the presence of Wolbachia. The heavy metal exposure in D. subobscura caused shifts in developmental time but maintained the egg-to-adult viability at a similar level. Microbiota diversity indicated that the Komagataeibacter could be a valuable member of D. subobscura microbiota in overcoming the environmental stress. Research on the impact of microbiota on the adaptive response to heavy metals and consequently the potential tradeoffs among different life history traits is of great importance in evolutionary research.

Highly contiguous assemblies of 101 drosophilid genomes

Over 100 years of studies in Drosophila melanogaster and related species in the genus Drosophila have facilitated key discoveries in genetics, genomics, and evolution. While high-quality genome assemblies exist for several species in this group, they only encompass a small fraction of the genus. Recent advances in long-read sequencing allow high-quality genome assemblies for tens or even hundreds of species to be efficiently generated. Here, we utilize Oxford Nanopore sequencing to build an open community resource of genome assemblies for 101 lines of 93 drosophilid species encompassing 14 species groups and 35 sub-groups. The genomes are highly contiguous and complete, with an average contig N50 of 10.5 Mb and greater than 97% BUSCO completeness in 97/101 assemblies. We show that Nanopore-based assemblies are highly accurate in coding regions, particularly with respect to coding insertions and deletions. These assemblies, along with a detailed laboratory protocol and assembly pipelines, are released as a public resource and will serve as a starting point for addressing broad questions of genetics, ecology, and evolution at the scale of hundreds of species.

Sex-specific effects of sympatric mitonuclear variation on fitness in Drosophila subobscura

Background

A number of recent studies have shown that the pattern of mitochondrial DNA variation and evolution is at odds with a neutral equilibrium model. Theory has suggested that selection on mitonuclear genotypes can act to maintain stable mitonuclear polymorphism within populations. However, this effect largely relies upon selection being either sex-specific or frequency dependent. Here, we use mitonuclear introgression lines to assess differences in a series of key life-history traits (egg-to-adult developmental time, viability, offspring sex-ratio, adult longevity and resistance to desiccation) in Drosophila subobscura fruit flies carrying one of three different sympatric mtDNA haplotypes.

Results

We found functional differences between these sympatric mtDNA haplotypes, but these effects were contingent upon the nuclear genome with which they were co-expressed. Further, we demonstrate a significant mitonuclear genetic effect on adult sex ratio, as well as a sex × mtDNA × nuDNA interaction for adult longevity.

Conclusions

The observed effects suggest that sex specific mitonuclear selection contributes to the maintenance of mtDNA polymorphism and to mitonuclear linkage disequilibrium in this model system.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0421-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Adaptive Role of Inversion Polymorphism of Drosophila subobscura in Lead Stressed Environment

Local adaptation to environmental stress at different levels of genetic polymorphism in various plants and animals has been documented through evolution of heavy metal tolerance. We used samples of Drosophila subobscura populations from two differently polluted environments to analyze the change of chromosomal inversion polymorphism as genetic marker during laboratory exposure to lead. Exposure to environmental contamination can affect the genetic content within a particular inversion and produce targets for selection in populations from different environments. The aims were to discover whether the inversion polymorphism is shaped by the local natural environments, and if lead as a selection pressure would cause adaptive divergence of two populations during the multigenerational laboratory experiment. The results showed that populations retain signatures from past contamination events, and that heavy metal pollution can cause adaptive changes in population. Differences in inversion polymorphism between the two populations increased over generations under lead contamination in the laboratory. The inversion polymorphism of population originating from the more polluted natural environment was more stable during the experiment, both under conditions with and without lead. Therefore, results showed that inversion polymorphism as a genetic marker reflects a strong signature of adaptation to the local environment, and that historical demographic events and selection are important for both prediction of evolutionary potential and long-term viability of natural populations.

Within-population genetic effects of mtDNA on metabolic rate in Drosophila subobscura

A growing body of research supports the view that within-species sequence variation in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is functional, in the sense that it has important phenotypic effects. However, most of this empirical foundation is based on comparisons across populations, and few studies have addressed the functional significance of mtDNA polymorphism within populations. Here, using mitonuclear introgression lines, we assess differences in whole-organism metabolic rate of adult Drosophila subobscura fruit flies carrying either of three different sympatric mtDNA haplotypes. We document sizeable, up to 20%, differences in metabolic rate across these mtDNA haplotypes. Further, these mtDNA effects are to some extent sex specific. We found no significant nuclear or mitonuclear genetic effects on metabolic rate, consistent with a low degree of linkage disequilibrium between mitochondrial and nuclear genes within populations. The fact that mtDNA haplotype variation within a natural population affects metabolic rate, which is a key physiological trait with important effects on life-history traits, adds weight to the emergent view that mtDNA haplotype variation is under natural selection and it revitalizes the question as to what processes act to maintain functional mtDNA polymorphism within populations.

Population specific fitness response of Drosophila subobscura to lead pollution

Differences in heavy metal tolerance among separate populations of the same species have often been interpreted as local adaptation. Persistence of differences after removing the stressor indicates that mechanisms responsible for the increased tolerance were genetically determined. Drosophila subobscura Collin (Diptera: Drosophilidae) populations were sampled from two localities with different history of heavy metal pollution, and reared for eight generations in the laboratory on a standard medium and on media with different concentrations of lead (Pb). To determine whether flies from different natural populations exposed to the Pb-contaminated media in the laboratory show population specific variability in fitness components over generations, experimental groups with different concentrations of lead were assayed in three generations (F2 , F5 , and F8 ) for fecundity, developmental time, and egg-to-adult viability. On the contaminated medium, fecundity was reduced in later generations and viability was increased, irrespective of the environmental origin of populations. For both populations, developmental time showed a tendency of slowing down on media with lead. Faster development was observed in later generations. Preadaptation to contamination, meaning higher fecundity, higher viability, and faster egg to adult development in all studied generations, was found in D. subobscura originating from the locality with a higher level of heavy metal pollution.

Synergistic effect of Gentiana lutea L. on methyl methanesulfonate genotoxicity in the Drosophila wing spot test

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gentiana lutea L., the yellow gentian, is herb known for its pharmacological properties, with a long tradition of use for the treatment of a variety of diseases including the use as a remedy for digestion, also in food products and in bitter beverages. The aim of the present study is to evaluate, for the first time, genotoxicity of gentian alone, and its antigenotoxicity against methyl methanesulfonate (MMS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The water infusion of the underground part of gentian were evaluated in vivo using the Drosophila wing spot test, at the dose commonly used in traditional medicine. For antigenotoxic study two types of treatment with gentian and MMS were performed: chronic co-treatment, as well as post-treatment with gentian after acute exposure with MMS.

RESULTS

Water infusion of gentian alone did not exhibit genotoxicity. The results of co- and post-treatment experiments with gentian show that gentian enhanced the frequency of mutant clones over the values obtained with MMS alone, instead of reducing the genotoxicity of MMS, for 22.64% and 27.13% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This result suggests a synergism of gentian with MMS, and indicates that water infusion of gentian used in traditional medicine may have particular effects with regard to genotoxicity indicating careful use.

Seasonal and spatial occurrence of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase variability in Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) populations

Previous results indicate that glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase variability represents the adaptation of Ixodes ricinus L. (Acari: Ixodidae) to fluctuations of environmental conditions, particularly to temperature. Analysis of crucial polymorphisms in I. ricinus Gpdh gene was done by the restriction method, and three different haplotypes were obtained (GPDH441 1, GPDH441 2, and GPDH441 3), corresponding to GPDH alleles detected by allozyme electrophoresis. Differences in GPDH441 haplotype and genotype frequencies were found between samples from open and forest habitats. Significant seasonal variations of GPDH441 haplotype and genotype frequencies were detected in samples from the open habitats. No seasonal variations were observed at forest localities, probably because of the less pronounced amplitude of environmental factors. The possible role of host availability was discussed as an important factor that affects seasonal dynamics and genetic composition of tick populations.

Absence of linkage disequilibria between chromosomal arrangements and mtDNA haplotypes in natural populations of Drosophila subobscura from the Balkan Peninsula

The genetic structure of Drosophila subobscura from the Balkan Peninsula was studied with respect to restriction site polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA in populations from the Derventa River Gorge and Sicevo Gorge (Serbia). To investigate the role of cytonuclear interactions in shaping mitochondrial DNA variability in natural populations of this species, the study was complemented with the analysis of linkage disequilibria between mitochondrial haplotypes and chromosomal inversion arrangements. Similar to other populations of D. subobscura, two main haplotypes (I and II) were found, as well as a series of less common ones. The frequencies of haplotypes I and II accounted for 25.8% and 71.0%, respectively, in the population from the Derventa River Gorge, and for 32.4% and 58.1%, respectively, in the population from Sicevo Gorge. One of the haplotypes harbored a large insertion (2.7 kb) in the A+T rich region. The frequency distribution of both haplotypes did not depart from neutrality. Contrary to prior studies, we did not detect any significant linkage disequilibrium between the two most frequent mtDNA haplotypes and any of the chromosomal arrangements in either of the populations. We conclude that linkage disequilibrium is not a general occurrence in natural populations of D. subobscura, and we discuss how transient coadaptations, ecologically specific selective pressures, and demographics could contribute to population-specific patterns of linkage disequilibrium.

[Potential risk factors for developing diabetes mellitus type 2]

INTRODUCTION

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common multifactorial genetic syndrome, which is determined by several genes and environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of risk factors for developing diabetes type 2 among diabetic individuals and to compare the presence of risk factors among diabetic individuals with and without positive family history for type 2 diabetes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was conducted in Cuprija during the period from February to June 2002. The case group included 137 individuals having diagnosis type 2 diabetes. The control group included 129 subjects having the following diagnoses: hypertension, angina pectoris, chronic obstructive lung disease, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer. All participants were interviewed at the Medical Center Cuprija using structural questionnaire. The data were collected regarding demographic characteristics, exposure to various chemical and physical agents, stress, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and family history of diabetes. In the statistical analysis chi square test was used.

RESULTS

The diabetic individuals were statistically significantly older (40 and more years old) (p = 0.000), and they came from rural areas more frequently (p = 0.006) than the individuals without diabetes. Significantly more diabetics had lower educational level (p = 0.000) and they were agriculture workers and housewives significantly more frequently (p = 0.000) than nondiabetic individuals. Furthermore, obesity (p = 0.000) and physical inactivity (p = 0.003) were significantly more frequent among the diabetic individuals than the nondiabetics. The diabetic individuals had significantly (p = 0.000) more numbers of relatives with diabetes mellitus type 2 than the nondiabetics. The diabetic individuals with positive family history of diabetes were significantly older (p = 0.021) and more frequently from urban areas (p = 0.018) than the diabetic individuals without the positive family history of diabetes. Also they were significantly less exposed to physical agents (p = 0.004).

DISCUSSION

In our study, like in many others, age, place of residence, education, occupation, obesity, physical inactivity, positive family history of diabetes type 2 and exposure to physical agents were identified as potential risk factors for diabetes type 2.

CONCLUSION

Different risk factors are probably responsible for developing type 2 diabetes among individuals with and without positive family history of type 2 diabetes.

Effect of a permanent magnetic field on wing size parameters in Drosophila melanogaster

The width and length variability of both D. melanogaster wings were measured in samples of flies after two and six generations under a permanent magnetic field of 35 mT. While in earlier generations under exposure sexes differ in the size response, later they both show a decrease in the wing size under the magnetic field exposure if compared to the control. The bilateral asymmetry in wings as a potential indicator of developmental instability does not increase significantly under exposure. The ecological and adaptive implications of the change of the magnetic intensity as an environmental factor generating stress in populations is discussed.

Adaptive significance of amylase polymorphism in Drosophila. I. The geographical pattern of allozyme polymorphism at the amylase locus in Drosophila subobscura

Allelic variation at the Amy locus was studied in eight natural populations from the central and northern range of D. subobscura, and the geographical pattern of Amy polymorphism over the range of this species was described. Even though regional and local differences in gene frequencies were found, in general the same alleles occur at high, intermediate and low frequencies, in nearly all populations. There are no significant differences in allele frequencies, but there is significant difference in the degree of heterozygosity among groups of populations from the northern, central and southern range. An analysis of population subdivision indicates that heterogeneity within populations is higher than between populations. Genetic distance values indicate that there is a variable degree of geographical differentiation between local populations. Variability within and between continental and insular populations is also discussed.