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Mezzasalma M. First Cytogenetic Analysis of Hemidactylus mercatorius Gray, 1842 Provides Insights on Interspecific Chromosomal Diversification in the Genus Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Life (Basel) 2024; 14:181. [PMID: 38398689 PMCID: PMC10890220 DOI: 10.3390/life14020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This contribution provides the first karyotype description of Hemidactylus mercatorius and discusses the interspecific chromosome diversification in the genus. Chromosomal analysis was performed on samples from different Malagasy populations using standard karyotyping, Ag-NOR staining, and banding methods (sequential C-banding + Giemsa, + Chromomycin A3, +4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole). Irrespective of sex or sampling locality, H. mercatorius shows a karyotype of 2n = 42 with metacentric (1, 18-21), submetacentric (4), subtelocentric (5, 11), and acrocentric pairs (all the remaining pairs). There was no heteromorphic chromosome pair and no clear distinction between macro- and microchromosomes. NORs were localised close to the centromeres of a medium acrocentric pair (14). Heterochromatic blocks were identified on the telomeric and centromeric regions of most chromosome pairs. A comparison with the karyotype of H. mabouia highlights that the different morphology of several chromosome pairs clearly distinguishes the two species, contrasting the previously proposed synonymy. The differences between the karyotypes of H. mercatorius and H. mabouia concern the number of biarmed and acrocentric elements, suggesting the occurrence of several chromosome inversions. Considering all the available karyotype data on Hemidactylus and its sister genus Cyrtodactylus, it is possible to advance an evolutionary hypothesis on their chromosomal evolution, starting from a common ancestor with 2n = 48 and all acrocentric elements. From this ancestral condition, the karyotype diversification in the two genera has been prevalently characterised by a progressive accumulation of fusions and inversions which have reduced the total chromosome count and increased the number of biarmed chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Streicher JW, Guarino FM, Jones MEH, Loader SP, Odierna G, Cooper N. Microchromosome fusions underpin convergent evolution of chameleon karyotypes. Evolution 2023; 77:1930-1944. [PMID: 37288542 DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary shifts in chromosome compositions (karyotypes) are major drivers of lineage and genomic diversification. Fusion of ancestral chromosomes is one hypothesized mechanism for the evolutionary reduction of the total chromosome number, a frequently implied karyotypic shift. Empirical tests of this hypothesis require model systems with variable karyotypes, known chromosome features, and a robust phylogeny. Here we used chameleons, diverse lizards with exceptionally variable karyotypes ($2n=20\text{-}62$), to test whether chromosomal fusions explain the repeated evolution of karyotypes with fewer chromosomes than ancestral karyotypes. Using a multidisciplinary approach including cytogenetic analyses and phylogenetic comparative methods, we found that a model of constant loss through time best explained chromosome evolution across the chameleon phylogeny. Next, we tested whether fusions of microchromosomes into macrochromosomes explained these evolutionary losses using generalized linear models. Multiple comparisons supported microchromosome fusions as the predominant agent of evolutionary loss. We further compared our results to various natural history traits and found no correlations. As such, we infer that the tendency of microchromosomes to fuse was a quality of the ancestral chameleon genome and that the genomic predisposition of ancestors is a more substantive predictor of chromosome change than the ecological, physiological, and biogeographical factors involved in their diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Science Group, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Jeffrey W Streicher
- Science Group, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fabio M Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marc E H Jones
- Science Group, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
- Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Simon P Loader
- Science Group, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Natalie Cooper
- Science Group, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
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Mezzasalma M, Brunelli E, Odierna G, Guarino FM. Comparative cytogenetics of Hemorrhois hippocrepis and Malpolon monspessulanus highlights divergent karyotypes in Colubridae and Psammophiidae (Squamata: Serpentes). The European Zoological Journal 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2023.2180547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - E. Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - G. Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - F. M. Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Guarino FM, Andreone F, Mezzasalma M, Licata F, Puoti S, Santos B, Cocca W, Solofoniaina Fidy JF, Ndriantsoa SH, Noel J, Rakotonanahary TF, Harison RF, Odierna G, Crottini A. Life History Traits and Longevity of the Invasive Asian Common Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799) in Madagascar. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2099. [PMID: 37443897 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We analyzed the body length, age structure, and age at sexual maturity of the invasive Asian common toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus from different sites in Toamasina, east Madagascar. We used skeletochronology as a proxy for age estimation, while gonads were histologically analyzed to determine the age of sexual maturity. The analysis of pooled age data from three sites investigated in 2016 showed that both sexes were larger, although not older, than those of native populations. For the individuals from Madagascar, the males were significantly smaller and younger (mean ± SD, SVL: 71.4 ± 1.6 mm; age: 1.8 ± 0.7 years) than the females (SVL: 78.42 ± 1.9 mm; age: 2.7 ± 1.3 years), when the data were pooled, but when the data were analyzed separately for each of the three sites, similar results were obtained only for one site. The oldest recorded male and female were 3 and 6 years old, respectively. Gonadal histology showed that the males and females reach sexual maturity after the first and second years of age, respectively. Further studies are needed to understand if the larger size and faster growth rates observed in the invasive population of D. melanostictus in Madagascar are a consequence of more favorable environmental conditions with respect to the native range (e.g., the availability of larger trophic niches, a lack of competitors, and lower predatory pressure), and we suggest to extend the monitoring of these life history traits to understand how they might influence the invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Maria Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti, 36, I-10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST)-University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, I-87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Fulvio Licata
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Simona Puoti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Bárbara Santos
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Walter Cocca
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | - Jean Noel
- Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group, BP 442, Toamasina 501, Madagascar
| | | | - Rodino Fetrarijahona Harison
- Institut Supérieur de Science, Environnement et Développement Durable (ISSEDD), Université de Toamasina, Toamasina 501, Madagascar
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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Mezzasalma M, Brunelli E, Odierna G, Guarino FM. Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus Blaesodactylus (Reptilia, Gekkonidae). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2068. [PMID: 37443866 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed a molecular and phylogenetic analysis and a comparative cytogenetic study with standard karyotyping, silver staining (Ag-NOR) and sequential C-banding + Giemsa, + fluorochromes on several Blaesodactylus samples. The phylogenetic inference retrieved two main clades, the first comprises B. victori, B. microtuberculatus and B. boivini, while the second includes B. sakalava, B. antongilensis and B. ambonihazo. The available samples of B. sakalava form two different clades (here named B. sakalava clade A and clade B), which probably deserve a taxonomic re-evaluation. We found a karyological variability in Blaesodactylus in terms of chromosome number (2n = 40-42), morphology, location of NORs, and heterochromatin distribution pattern. Blaesodactylus antongilensis and B. sakalava clade A and B showed a karyotype of 2n = 40 mostly telocentric chromosomes. Pairs 1 and 6 were metacentric in B. sakalava clade A and B, while pair 1 was composed of subtelocentric/submetacentric elements in B. antongilensis. In contrast, B. boivini displayed a karyotype with 2n = 42 only telocentric chromosomes. NORs were on the first chromosome pair in B. boivini, and on the second pair in B. antongilensis. Adding our data to those available from the literature on evolutionarily related species, we highlight that the chromosome diversification in the genus probably proceeded towards a progressive reduction in the chromosome number and the formation of metacentric elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Elvira Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Maria Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
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Ahmed AIM, Macirella R, Talarico F, Curcio V, Trotta G, Aiello D, Gharbi N, Mezzasalma M, Brunelli E. Short-term effects of the strobilurin fungicide dimoxystrobin on zebrafish gills: A morpho-functional study. Chemosphere 2023; 333:138914. [PMID: 37187376 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Strobilurins represent the most widely used class of fungicides nowadays andare considered relatively non-toxic to mammals and birds but highly toxic to aquatic biota. Dimoxystrobin is one of the novel strobilurins, recently included in the 3rd Watch List of the European Commission as available data indicate that it could pose a significant risk to aquatic species. As yet, the number of studies explicitly assessing the impact of this fungicide on terrestrial and aquatic species is extremely low, and the toxic effects of dimoxystrobin on fish have not been reported. Here we investigate for the first time the alterations induced by two environmentally relevant and very low concentrations of dimoxystrobin (6.56 and 13.13 μg/L) in the fish gills. morphological, morphometric, ultrastructural, and functional alterations have been evaluated using zebrafish as a model species. We demonstrated that even short-term exposure (96 h) to dimoxystrobin alters fish gills reducing the surface available for gas exchange and inducing severe alterations encompassing three reaction patterns: circulatory disturbance and both regressive and progressive changes. Furthermore, we revealed that this fungicide impairs the expression of key enzymes involved in osmotic and acid-base regulation (Na+/K+-ATPase and AQP3) and the defensive response against oxidative stress (SOD and CAT). The information presented here highlights the importance of combining data from different analytical methods for evaluating the toxic potential of currently used and new agrochemical compounds. Our results will also contribute to the discussion on the suitability of mandatory ecotoxicological tests on vertebrates before the introduction on the market of new compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalmoiz I M Ahmed
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Rachele Macirella
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Federica Talarico
- Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Vittoria Curcio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Trotta
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Donatella Aiello
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Naouel Gharbi
- Fish Biology and Aquaculture Group, Ocean and Environment Department, NORCE Norwegian Research Center, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Elvira Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
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Mezzasalma M, Brunelli E, Odierna G, Guarino FM. Evolutionary and Genomic Diversity of True Polyploidy in Tetrapods. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061033. [PMID: 36978574 PMCID: PMC10044425 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
True polyploid organisms have more than two chromosome sets in their somatic and germline cells. Polyploidy is a major evolutionary force and has played a significant role in the early genomic evolution of plants, different invertebrate taxa, chordates, and teleosts. However, the contribution of polyploidy to the generation of new genomic, ecological, and species diversity in tetrapods has traditionally been underestimated. Indeed, polyploidy represents an important pathway of genomic evolution, occurring in most higher-taxa tetrapods and displaying a variety of different forms, genomic configurations, and biological implications. Herein, we report and discuss the available information on the different origins and evolutionary and ecological significance of true polyploidy in tetrapods. Among the main tetrapod lineages, modern amphibians have an unparalleled diversity of polyploids and, until recently, they were considered to be the only vertebrates with closely related diploid and polyploid bisexual species or populations. In reptiles, polyploidy was thought to be restricted to squamates and associated with parthenogenesis. In birds and mammals, true polyploidy has generally been considered absent (non-tolerated). These views are being changed due to an accumulation of new data, and the impact as well as the different evolutionary and ecological implications of polyploidy in tetrapods, deserve a broader evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (E.B.)
| | - Elvira Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (E.B.)
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy (F.M.G.)
| | - Fabio Maria Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy (F.M.G.)
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Mezzasalma M, Capriglione T, Kupriyanova L, Odierna G, Pallotta MM, Petraccioli A, Picariello O, Guarino FM. Characterization of Two Transposable Elements and an Ultra-Conserved Element Isolated in the Genome of Zootoca vivipara (Squamata, Lacertidae). Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030637. [PMID: 36983793 PMCID: PMC10058329 DOI: 10.3390/life13030637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a considerable fraction of eukaryote genomes representing a major source of genetic variability. We describe two DNA sequences isolated in the lizard Zootoca vivipara, here named Zv516 and Zv817. Both sequences are single-copy nuclear sequences, including a truncation of two transposable elements (TEs), SINE Squam1 in Zv516 and a Tc1/Mariner-like DNA transposon in Zv817. FISH analyses with Zv516 showed the occurrence of interspersed signals of the SINE Squam1 sequence on all chromosomes of Z. vivipara and quantitative dot blot indicated that this TE is present with about 4700 copies in the Z. vivipara genome. FISH and dot blot with Zv817 did not produce clear hybridization signals. Bioinformatic analysis showed the presence of active SINE Squam 1 copies in the genome of different lacertids, in different mRNAs, and intronic and coding regions of various genes. The Tc1/Mariner-like DNA transposon occurs in all reptiles, excluding Sphenodon and Archosauria. Zv817 includes a trait of 284 bp, representing an amniote ultra-conserved element (UCE). Using amniote UCE homologous sequences from available whole genome sequences of major amniote taxonomic groups, we performed a phylogenetic analysis which retrieved Prototheria as the sister group of Metatheria and Eutheria. Within diapsids, Testudines are the sister group to Aves + Crocodylia (Archosauria), and Sphenodon is the sister group to Squamata. Furthermore, large trait regions flanking the UCE are conserved at family level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (G.O.)
| | - Teresa Capriglione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Larissa Kupriyanova
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 190121 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (G.O.)
| | | | - Agnese Petraccioli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Orfeo Picariello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio M. Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
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Belluardo F, Jesus Muñoz-Pajares A, Miralles A, Silvestro D, Cocca W, Mihaja Ratsoavina F, Villa A, Roberts SH, Mezzasalma M, Zizka A, Antonelli A, Crottini A. Slow and steady wins the race: Diversification rate is independent from body size and lifestyle in Malagasy skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Scincinae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023; 178:107635. [PMID: 36208694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Most of the unique and diverse vertebrate fauna that inhabits Madagascar derives from in situ diversification from colonisers that reached this continental island through overseas dispersal. The endemic Malagasy Scincinae lizards are amongst the most species-rich squamate groups on the island. They colonised all bioclimatic zones and display many ecomorphological adaptations to a fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle. Here we propose a new phylogenetic hypothesis for their diversification based on the largest taxon sampling so far compiled for this group. We estimated divergence times and investigated several aspects of their diversification (diversification rate, body size and fossorial lifestyle evolution, and biogeography). We found that diversification rate was constant throughout most of the evolutionary history of the group, but decreased over the last 6-4 million years and independently from body size and fossorial lifestyle evolution. Fossoriality has evolved from fully quadrupedal ancestors at least five times independently, which demonstrates that even complex morphological syndromes - in this case involving traits such as limb regression, body elongation, modification of cephalic scalation, depigmentation, and eyes and ear-opening regression - can evolve repeatedly and independently given enough time and eco-evolutionary advantages. Initial diversification of the group likely occurred in forests, and the divergence of sand-swimmer genera around 20 Ma appears linked to a period of aridification. Our results show that the large phenotypic variability of Malagasy Scincinae has not influenced diversification rate and that their rich species diversity results from a constant accumulation of lineages through time. By compiling large geographic and trait-related datasets together with the computation of a new time tree for the group, our study contributes important insights on the diversification of Malagasy vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Belluardo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal.
| | - A Jesus Muñoz-Pajares
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Granada, Avenida de la Fuente Nueva S/N, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Aurélien Miralles
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Daniele Silvestro
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Ch. du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Walter Cocca
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Domaine Sciences et Technologies, Université d'Antananarivo, B.P. 906, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Andrea Villa
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sam Hyde Roberts
- SEED Madagascar, Unit 7, Beethoven Street 1A, W10 4LG London, UK; Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, 0X3 0BP Oxford, UK; Operation Wallacea, Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, PE23 4EX Spilsby, UK
| | - Marcello Mezzasalma
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Alexander Zizka
- Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexandre Antonelli
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AE Richmond, UK; Department of Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3RB Oxford, UK
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
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Mezzasalma M, Brunelli E, Odierna G, Guarino FM. Comparative cytogenetics on Zamenis lineatus and Elaphe quatuorlineata (Serpentes: Colubridae). Acta Herpetol 2022. [DOI: 10.36253/a_h-13467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Because of their peculiar genomic and chromosomal characteristics, reptiles are extraordinary model organisms to study karyotype and sex chromosome evolution, but despite the growing interest in their evolutionary cytogenetics, only a small fraction of species have a known karyotype. We performed a comparative cytogenetic analysis on Elaphe quatuorlineata and Zamenis lineatus, using classic and molecular techniques. We provide the karyotype of these two species and an assessment of their chromosomal features. Chromosome analysis was performed with standard karyotyping, C-banding, sequential C-banding + CMA3 + DAPI and Ag-NOR staining. On E. quatuorlineata, we also performed CMA3-methyl green staining and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization mapping NOR loci (NOR-FISH). Elaphe quatuorlineata and Z. lineatus show a very similar karyotype of 2n = 36, with 8 macro- and 10 microchromosome pairs, but differ in the morphology of the pair 8, which resulted submetacentric in the former and metacentric in the latter species. By comparing our data to those available from the literature on congeneric species, we analysed the occurrence of primitive and derivate chromosomal characters and provide cytotaxonomic insights, which further support the species status of Z. lineatus. In both species, the 4th pair was identified as the sex chromosome pair (ZZ/ZW) and NORs were localized on a microchromosome pair. We finally highlight in both genera Elaphe and Zamenis different stages of heterochromatinization of the W chromosome, in agreement with the progressive diversification model of sex chromosome as already shown in different reptile taxa.
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Curcio V, Macirella R, Sesti S, Ahmed AIM, Talarico F, Pizzolotto R, Tagarelli A, Mezzasalma M, Brunelli E. The role of exposure window and dose in determining lead toxicity in developing Zebrafish. Chemosphere 2022; 307:136095. [PMID: 35995187 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination is recognized worldwide as a serious threat to human health and wildlife, and reducing their emissions is a priority of international and EU actions. Due to its persistence, high bioaccumulation tendency, and toxicity properties, lead (Pb) is one of the heavy metals of greatest concern. Even at low concentrations, lead induces various clinical and subclinical conditions in both humans and animals, and it has been included in the priority list of hazardous substances. In the present study, we used zebrafish's early stages as a model, given their well-acknowledged predictive value in the risk assessment of chemicals. This study was designed to investigate the morphological and morphometric alterations induced by Pb during zebrafish's early development and disclose the putative effects stage- and/or dose-dependent. We examined injuries induced by two environmentally relevant and extremely low concentrations of Pb (2.5 μg/L and 5 μg/L) during two exposure windows: early (between 1 and 7 dpf) and late (between 2 and 8 dpf). We clearly demonstrated that the incidence and severity of morphological abnormalities increased with increasing Pb dose and exposure time in both early and late-exposed groups. Furthermore, we revealed that malformation severity was significantly higher in the early exposed group than in the late exposure group at all exposure times and for both tested doses, thus highlighting the high sensitivity of zebrafish during the initial stages of development. The information presented in this paper emphasizes the effectiveness of morphological biomarkers in unveiling threatening situations and supports the role of zebrafish embryos and larvae in risk assessment and environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Curcio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Rachele Macirella
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Settimio Sesti
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Abdalmoiz I M Ahmed
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Federica Talarico
- Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Roberto Pizzolotto
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Antonio Tagarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università Della Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Elvira Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
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Fioravanti T, Maio N, Latini L, Splendiani A, Guarino FM, Mezzasalma M, Petraccioli A, Cozzi B, Mazzariol S, Centelleghe C, Sciancalepore G, Pietroluongo G, Podestà M, Caputo Barucchi V. Nothing is as it seems: genetic analyses on stranded fin whales unveil the presence of a fin-blue whale hybrid in the Mediterranean Sea (Balaenopteridae). The European Zoological Journal 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2022.2063426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T. Fioravanti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - N. Maio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - L. Latini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - A. Splendiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - F. M. Guarino
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - M. Mezzasalma
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - A. Petraccioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - B. Cozzi
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’ Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - S. Mazzariol
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’ Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - C. Centelleghe
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’ Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - G. Sciancalepore
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’ Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - G. Pietroluongo
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’ Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - M. Podestà
- Sezione di Zoologia dei Vertebrati, Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, 2012, Milano, Italy
| | - V. Caputo Barucchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Andreone F, Odierna G, Guarino FM, Crottini A. Comparative cytogenetics on eight Malagasy Mantellinae (Anura, Mantellidae) and a synthesis of the karyological data on the subfamily. Comp Cytogenet 2022; 16:1-17. [PMID: 35211250 PMCID: PMC8857137 DOI: 10.3897/compcytogen.v16.i1.76260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We performed a molecular and cytogenetic analysis on different Mantellinae species and revised the available chromosomal data on this group to provide an updated assessment of its karyological diversity and evolution. Using a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA, we performed a molecular taxonomic identification of the samples that were used for cytogenetic analyses. A comparative cytogenetic analysis, with Giemsa's staining, Ag-NOR staining and sequential C-banding + Giemsa + CMA + DAPI was performed on eight species: Gephyromantis sp. Ca19, G.striatus (Vences, Glaw, Andreone, Jesu et Schimmenti, 2002), Mantidactylus (Chonomantis) sp. Ca11, M. (Brygoomantis) alutus (Peracca, 1893), M. (Hylobatrachus) cowanii (Boulenger, 1882), Spinomantispropeaglavei "North" (Methuen et Hewitt, 1913), S.phantasticus (Glaw et Vences, 1997) and S. sp. Ca3. Gephyromantisstriatus, M. (Brygoomantis) alutus and Spinomantispropeaglavei "North" have a karyotype of 2n = 24 chromosomes while the other species show 2n = 26 chromosomes. Among the analysed species we detected differences in the number and position of telocentric elements, location of NOR loci (alternatively on the 6th, 7th or 10th pair) and in the distribution of heterochromatin, which shows species-specific patterns. Merging our data with those previously available, we propose a karyotype of 2n = 26 with all biarmed elements and loci of NORs on the 6th chromosome pair as the ancestral state in the whole family Mantellidae. From this putative ancestral condition, a reduction of chromosome number through similar tandem fusions (from 2n = 26 to 2n = 24) occurred independently in Mantidactylus Boulenger, 1895 (subgenus Brygoomantis Dubois, 1992), Spinomantis Dubois, 1992 and Gephyromantis Methuen, 1920. Similarly, a relocation of NORs, from the putative primitive configuration on the 6th chromosome, occurred independently in Gephyromantis, Blommersia Dubois, 1992, Guibemantis Dubois, 1992, Mantella Boulenger, 1882 and Spinomantis. Chromosome inversions of primitive biarmed elements likely generated a variable number of telocentric elements in Mantellanigricans Guibé, 1978 and a different number of taxa of Gephyromantis (subgenera Duboimantis Glaw et Vences, 2006 and Laurentomantis Dubois, 1980) and Mantidactylus (subgenera Brygoomantis, Chonomantis Glaw et Vences, 1994, Hylobatrachus Laurent, 1943 and Ochthomantis Glaw et Vences, 1994).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti 36, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Maria Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
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Mezzasalma M, Guarino FM, Odierna G. Lizards as Model Organisms of Sex Chromosome Evolution: What We Really Know from a Systematic Distribution of Available Data? Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1341. [PMID: 34573323 PMCID: PMC8468487 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lizards represent unique model organisms in the study of sex determination and sex chromosome evolution. Among tetrapods, they are characterized by an unparalleled diversity of sex determination systems, including temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) and genetic sex determination (GSD) under either male or female heterogamety. Sex chromosome systems are also extremely variable in lizards. They include simple (XY and ZW) and multiple (X1X2Y and Z1Z2W) sex chromosome systems and encompass all the different hypothesized stages of diversification of heterogametic chromosomes, from homomorphic to heteromorphic and completely heterochromatic sex chromosomes. The co-occurrence of TSD, GSD and different sex chromosome systems also characterizes different lizard taxa, which represent ideal models to study the emergence and the evolutionary drivers of sex reversal and sex chromosome turnover. In this review, we present a synthesis of general genome and karyotype features of non-snakes squamates and discuss the main theories and evidences on the evolution and diversification of their different sex determination and sex chromosome systems. We here provide a systematic assessment of the available data on lizard sex chromosome systems and an overview of the main cytogenetic and molecular methods used for their identification, using a qualitative and quantitative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (F.M.G.); (G.O.)
- CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661 Vairaõ, Portugal
| | - Fabio M. Guarino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (F.M.G.); (G.O.)
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (F.M.G.); (G.O.)
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Guarino FM, Di Nocera F, Galiero G, Iaccarino D, Giglio S, Madeo E, Pollaro F, Mezzasalma M, Iavarone I, Odierna G, Petraccioli A, Maio N, Lockyer CH. Age estimation and growth of striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba stranded along the coasts of south-western Italy. The European Zoological Journal 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2021.1892218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. M. Guarino
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - F. Di Nocera
- Dipartimento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico del Mezzogiorno, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - G. Galiero
- Dipartimento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico del Mezzogiorno, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - D. Iaccarino
- Dipartimento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico del Mezzogiorno, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - S. Giglio
- Marine Animal Rescue Effort (MARE) Association, Montepaone (Cosenza), Italy
| | - E. Madeo
- Marine Animal Rescue Effort (MARE) Association, Montepaone (Cosenza), Italy
| | - F. Pollaro
- Centro Studi Ecosistemi Marini Mediterranei, Pioppi (Pollica, Salerno), Italy
| | - M. Mezzasalma
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairaõ, Portugal
| | - I. Iavarone
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - G. Odierna
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - A. Petraccioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - N. Maio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Sidhom M, Said K, Chatti N, Guarino FM, Odierna G, Petraccioli A, Picariello O, Mezzasalma M. Karyological and bioinformatic data on the common chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon. Data Brief 2020; 30:105640. [PMID: 32420428 PMCID: PMC7215088 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The data presented in this paper stand as supplementary information of the associated article “Karyological characterization of the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) provides insights on the evolution and diversification of sex chromosomes in Chamaeleonidae” [1]. This work provides (i) raw experimental data on the karyology of the common chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon and (ii) the results of bioinformatic analysis on sex-specific and repeated DNA sequences found in the same species. The karyological information here presented includes traditional staining method (Giemsa staining) and sequential C-banding + fluorochromes performed on Tunisian samples of the species. The sequence data include the alignments of the isolated DNA sequences with homologous sequences found in squamate Short Read Archives (SRAs) and the results of searches in public nucleic acid databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Sidhom
- Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Avenue Taher Hadded (B.P 74) Monastir 5000, Tunisie
| | - Khaled Said
- Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Avenue Taher Hadded (B.P 74) Monastir 5000, Tunisie
| | - Noureddine Chatti
- Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Avenue Taher Hadded (B.P 74) Monastir 5000, Tunisie
| | - Fabio M Guarino
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Agnese Petraccioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Orfeo Picariello
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marcello Mezzasalma
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
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Maria Guarino F, Di Nocera F, Pollaro F, Galiero G, Iaccarino D, Iovino D, Mezzasalma M, Petraccioli A, Odierna G, Maio N. Skeletochronology, age at maturity and cause of mortality of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta stranded along the beaches of Campania (south-western Italy, western Mediterranean Sea). HERPETOZOA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e47543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Information on demographic and life-history traits of endangered vertebrate species, such as sea turtles, is crucial for planning management and conservation actions. We applied skeletochronology of phalanges to estimate the age of loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta, found dead stranded along the beaches of Campania (western Mediterranean) from 2013 to 2017. To obtain maturity data, we examined gonads from a subsample of 7 males and 11 females. Overall, curved carapace length (CCL) ranged from 5.6 to 90.8 cm, but for most turtles (89%) it was 50–79.9 cm. Predominance of stranded females (62%) was recorded. Ten out of the eighteen histologically examined gonads allowed estimating maturity. Based on the lines of arrested growth counting, the estimated age of the examined specimens ranged from 0 (hatchling) to 26 years. The modal age was 14 years for males and 17 years for females. The smallest male with spermatogenetic activity had a CCL of 65 cm and was estimated to be 16 years old. The smallest female with follicular development stage, characterising the transition towards adulthood, had a CCL of 69.5 cm and was estimated to be 20 years old. Anthropogenic factors were responsible for 36% of the mortality of individuals, followed by parasitic/infective pathologies (20%).
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Sidhom M, Said K, Chatti N, Guarino FM, Odierna G, Petraccioli A, Picariello O, Mezzasalma M. Karyological characterization of the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) provides insights on the evolution and diversification of sex chromosomes in Chamaeleonidae. ZOOLOGY 2020; 141:125738. [PMID: 32291142 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2019.125738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chameleons display high karyological diversity in chromosome number (from 2n = 20 to 62), morphology, heterochromatin distribution and location of specific chromosomal markers, making them unique study models in evolutionary cytogenetics. However, most available cytogenetic data are limited to the description of the chromosome number and morphology. Concerning sex chromosomes, our knowledge is limited to ZZ/ZW and Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W systems in the genus Furcifer and the isolation of sex-linked, male-specific, sequences in Chamaeleo calyptratus, but the putative XY chromosomes have still to be identified in Chamaeleo and the conservation of male heterogamety in the genus needs confirmation from other species. In this study we performed a molecular and a cytogenetic analysis on C. chamaeleon, using standard, banding methods and molecular cytogenetics to provide a throughout karyological characterization of the species and to identify and locate the putative XY chromosomes. We confirm that the chromosome formula of the species is 2n = 24, with 12 metacentric macrochromosomes, 12 microchromosomes and NORs on the second chromosome pair. Heterochromatin was detected as weak C-bands on centromeric regions, differently from what was previously reported for C. calyptratus. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed the occurrence of interspersed telomeric signals on most macrochromosomes, suggesting that ancient chromosome fusions may have led to a reduction of the chromosome number. Using a combination of molecular and FISH analyses, we proved that male specific Restriction site-Associated DNA sequences (RADseq) isolated in C. calyptratus are conserved in C. chamaeleon and located the putative XY chromosomes on the second chromosome pair. We also identified different transposable elements in the focal taxa, which are highly interspersed on most chromosome pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Sidhom
- Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Avenue Taher Hadded (B.P 74), Monastir, 5000, Tunisia
| | - Khaled Said
- Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Avenue Taher Hadded (B.P 74), Monastir, 5000, Tunisia
| | - Noureddine Chatti
- Laboratoire de Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Avenue Taher Hadded (B.P 74), Monastir, 5000, Tunisia
| | - Fabio M Guarino
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Agnese Petraccioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Orfeo Picariello
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marcello Mezzasalma
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK.
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Petrone P, Graziano V, Sastri C, Sauvage T, Mezzasalma M, Paternoster M, Guarino FM. Dental fluorosis in the Vesuvius towns in AD 79: a multidisciplinary approach. Ann Hum Biol 2019; 46:388-392. [PMID: 31274338 DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2019.1640791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Endemic fluorosis induced by high concentrations of fluoride in groundwater and soils is a major health problem in several countries, particularly in volcanic areas.Aim: To evaluate the occurrence of dental fluorosis resulting from exposure to high levels of environmental fluoride in 79 AD Herculaneum and close Vesuvius towns.Subjects and methods: The occurrence of dental fluorosis from teeth of the Herculaneum victims of the 79 AD eruption and some individuals from Pompeii (14-37 AD) and Nocera Inferiore (Salerno, IV sec. AD) was detected by means of Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission technique (PIGE).Results: A clinical and analytical scenario of dental fluorosis resulted from the extreme high fluorine tooth content detected in teeth from Herculaneum and the Vesuvius area inhabitants. The adoption of PIGE technique has proved to be particularly effective in showing moderate as well as milder forms of dental fluorosis, otherwise not clearly detectable by clinical and histological analysis.Conclusions: Morphological, histological and elemental analysis of teeth of the 79 AD Herculaneum population show that in this area fluorosis occurred since Roman times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Petrone
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Graziano
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | - Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mariano Paternoster
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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Guarino FM, Crottini A, Mezzasalma M, Randrianirina JE, Andreone F. A skeletochronological estimate of age and growth in a large riparian frog from Madagascar (Anura, Mantellidae, Mantidactylus). HERPETOZOA 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e35576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterized the body size (as snout-vent length), age, sexual size dimorphism, and growth rate in a population of one of the larger riparian frog from Madagascar (Mantidactylusgrandidieri) from a rainforest patch close to Vevembe, SE Madagascar. We identified a significant female-biased sexual size dimorphism. Age was estimated using phalangeal skeletochronology and was significantly higher in females than in males. Modal age class turned out to be 4 years in both sexes but a large percentage of adult females (75%) fell in the 5–6 years-old classes, while no male exceeded 4 years. We here report M.grandidieri as a medium-long-lived anuran species. Von Bertalanffy’s model showed similar growth trajectories between the sexes although the growth coefficient in females (k = 0.335) was slightly but not significantly higher than in males (k = 0.329).
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Petraccioli A, Guarino FM, Kupriyanova L, Mezzasalma M, Odierna G, Picariello O, Capriglione T. Isolation and Characterization of Interspersed Repeated Sequences in the Common Lizard, Zootoca vivipara, and Their Conservation in Squamata. Cytogenet Genome Res 2019; 157:65-76. [PMID: 30836364 DOI: 10.1159/000497304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) displays characteristic cytogenetic, reproductive, molecular, and biogeographic variability. This species comprises oviparous and viviparous populations with disjunct distribution and sex chromosome polymorphisms, from simple ZZ/ZW to complex Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W systems with different morphologies of the W chromosome. In this study, we used the primers SINE A and SINE B and a newly designed primer pair to (1) obtain information on the presence and distribution of transposable elements (TEs) in 8 squamate families and (2) assess the chromosomal location of SINE Squam elements in Z. vivipara. PCR amplification with SINE A and SINE B produced single or multiple products in different Z. vivipara populations, subsequently used to design the SINE-Zv primers. Using the newly designed SINE-Zv primers, we identified 2 sequences of about 700 and 300 bp (SINE-Zv 700 and SINE-Zv 300) in all the investigated populations of Z. vivipara. Fluorescence in situ hybridizations showed a preferential localization of SINE-Zv sequences in the peritelomeric regions of almost all chromosomes, with the exception of the W. Both sequences contained a distinct segment of SINE Squam2. SINE-Zv 700 appeared to be restricted to Z. vivipara, while SINE-Zv 300 contained a partial Gypsy sequence that is highly conserved among Squamata and showed high identity values (72-93%) with several transcripts from different species. Using the same primers, we also highlighted the presence of another highly conserved Gypsy-like fragment in snakes which displayed significant similarity with the stomatin-like protein 2 of colubrids. Our results suggest that SINEs and the Gypsy-like elements are widely distributed among squamates and may have played an active role in their genomic evolution and differentiation.
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Mezzasalma M, Andreone F, Aprea G, Glaw F, Odierna G, Guarino FM. When can chromosomes drive speciation? The peculiar case of the Malagasy tomato frogs (genus Dyscophus). ZOOL ANZ 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Pallotta MM, Turano M, Ronca R, Mezzasalma M, Petraccioli A, Odierna G, Capriglione T. Brain Gene Expression is Influenced by Incubation Temperature During Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) Development. J Exp Zool (Mol Dev Evol ) 2017; 328:360-370. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mimmo Turano
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Napoli Federico II; Napoli Italy
| | - Raffaele Ronca
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Napoli Federico II; Napoli Italy
| | | | - Agnese Petraccioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Napoli Federico II; Napoli Italy
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Napoli Federico II; Napoli Italy
| | - Teresa Capriglione
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Napoli Federico II; Napoli Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Andreone F, Glaw F, Petraccioli A, Odierna G, Guarino FM. A karyological study of three typhlopid species with some inferences on chromosome evolution in blindsnakes (Scolecophidia). ZOOL ANZ 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Mezzasalma M, Andreone F, Aprea G, Glaw F, Odierna G, Guarino FM. Molecular phylogeny, biogeography and chromosome evolution of Malagasy dwarf geckos of the genusLygodactylus(Squamata, Gekkonidae). ZOOL SCR 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gennaro Aprea
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - Frank Glaw
- Department of Herpetology; Zoologische Staatssammlung; München Germany
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - Fabio M. Guarino
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Visone V, Petraccioli A, Odierna G, Capriglione T, Guarino FM. Non-random accumulation of LINE1-like sequences on differentiated snake W chromosomes. J Zool (1987) 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - V. Visone
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - A. Petraccioli
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - G. Odierna
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - T. Capriglione
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - F. M. Guarino
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Dall'Asta A, Loy A, Cheylan M, Lymberakis P, Zuffi MAL, Tomović L, Odierna G, Guarino FM. A sisters’ story: comparative phylogeography and taxonomy ofHierophis viridiflavusandH. gemonensis(Serpentes, Colubridae). ZOOL SCR 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Univerisità degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Via Cinthia, 80126, Napoli Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Trieste; Via dei Tominz 4, 34139, Trieste Italy
| | - Anna Loy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory; University of Molise; Contrada Fonte Lappone; 86170, Pesche Italy
| | - Marc Cheylan
- EPHE - UMR 5175 Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive; Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier France
| | - Petros Lymberakis
- Natural History Museum of Crete; University of Crete; Knossou Ave. 71409, Crete, Irakleio Greece
| | - Marco A. L. Zuffi
- Museum of Natural History; University of Pisa; Via Roma 79, 56011, Calci Italy
| | - Ljiljana Tomović
- Faculty of Biology; University of Belgrade; Studentski trg 16, 11000, Belgrade Serbia
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Napoli Federico II; Via Cinthia, 80126, Napoli, Naples Italy
| | - Fabio M. Guarino
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Univerisità degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Via Cinthia, 80126, Napoli Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Andreone F, Branch WR, Glaw F, Guarino FM, Nagy ZT, Odierna G, Aprea G. Chromosome evolution in pseudoxyrhophiine snakes from Madagascar: a wide range of karyotypic variability. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Via Cinthia Naples Italy
| | - Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali; Via Giolitti, 36 I-10123 Torino Italy
| | - William R. Branch
- Department of Zoology; Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; PO Box 77000 Port Elizabeth 6031 South Africa
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München; Münchhausenstraße 21 81247 München Germany
| | - Fabio M. Guarino
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Via Cinthia Naples Italy
| | - Zoltán T. Nagy
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences; JEMU Rue Vautier 29 1000 Brussels Belgium
| | - Gaetano Odierna
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Via Cinthia Naples Italy
| | - Gennaro Aprea
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Via Cinthia Naples Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Maio N, Guarino FM. To Move or Not to Move: Cranial Joints in European Gekkotans and Lacertids, an Osteological and Histological Perspective. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2013; 297:463-72. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.22827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Maio
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Napoli Federico II; Naples Italy
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Mezzasalma M, Maria Guarino F, Crottini A, Andreone F, de Pous P. Age structure and growth in a population of Pelobates varaldii (Anura, Pelobatidae) from northwestern Morocco. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2011. [DOI: 10.1163/017353711x605678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAge structure and growth in the Moroccan spadefoot toad, Pelobates varaldii were estimated by skeletochronology and reported for the first time for a population living in NW Morocco. Snout vent length and body mass did not significantly differ between the sexes, although females appeared larger and heavier than males. Age ranged 2-7 years in males (mean age±SD: 4.5±1.2, n = 66) and 2-10 years in females (4.7±2.4, n = 20). The difference in age was not significant between the sexes. The modal age was 5 years for males and 3 years for females. The age distributions significantly differed between the sexes. Von Bertalanffy growth curves showed a similar profile between the sexes although growth coefficient was higher in males than in females. Longevity and growth rates of P. varaldii were compared with those of other species of the genus Pelobates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Mezzasalma
- 1Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio Maria Guarino
- 2Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy;,
| | - Angelica Crottini
- 3CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Franco Andreone
- 4Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti, 36, I-10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Philip de Pous
- 5School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK, Society for the Preservation of Herpetological Diversity, Oude Molstraat 2E, 2513 BB, Den Haag, The Netherlands
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