Mitogenomics of southern hemisphere blue mussels (Bivalvia: Pteriomorphia): Insights into the evolutionary characteristics of the Mytilus edulis complex

Marine blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) are widespread species that exhibit an antitropical distribution with five species occurring in the Northern Hemisphere (M. trossulus, M. edulis, M. galloprovincialis, M. californianus and M. coruscus) and three in the Southern Hemisphere (M. galloprovincialis, M. chilensis and M. platensis). Species limits in this group remain controversial, in particular for those forms that live in South America. Here we investigated structural characteristics of marine mussels mitogenomes, based on published F mtDNA sequences of Northern Hemisphere species and two newly sequenced South American genomes, one from the Atlantic M. platensis and another fr om the Pacific M. chilensis. These mitogenomes exhibited similar architecture to those of other genomes of Mytilus, including the presence of the Atp8 gene, which is missing in most of the other bivalves. Our evolutionary analysis of mitochondrial genes indicates that purifying selection is the predominant force shaping the evolution of the coding genes. Results of our phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of Pteriomorphia and fully resolved the phylogenetic relationships among its five orders. Finally, the low genetic divergence of specimens assigned to M. chilensis and M. platensis suggests that these South American marine mussels represent conspecific variants rather than distinct species.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

The hibernating South American marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides, displays torpor-sensitive microRNA expression patterns

When faced with adverse environmental conditions, the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides uses either daily or seasonal torpor to support survival and is the only known hibernating mammal in South America. As the sole living representative of the ancient Order Microbiotheria, this species can provide crucial information about the evolutionary origins and biochemical mechanisms of hibernation. Hibernation is a complex energy-saving strategy that involves changes in gene expression that are elicited in part by microRNAs. To better elucidate the role of microRNAs in orchestrating hypometabolism, a modified stem-loop technique and quantitative PCR were used to characterize the relative expression levels of 85 microRNAs in liver and skeletal muscle of control and torpid D. gliroides. Thirty-nine microRNAs were differentially regulated during torpor; of these, 35 were downregulated in liver and 11 were differentially expressed in skeletal muscle. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that the downregulated liver microRNAs were associated with activation of MAPK, PI3K-Akt and mTOR pathways, suggesting their importance in facilitating marsupial torpor. In skeletal muscle, hibernation-responsive microRNAs were predicted to regulate focal adhesion, ErbB, and mTOR pathways, indicating a promotion of muscle maintenance mechanisms. These tissue-specific responses suggest that microRNAs regulate key molecular pathways that facilitate hibernation, thermoregulation, and prevention of muscle disuse atrophy.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

A phylogenetic analysis of macroevolutionary patterns in fermentative yeasts

� 2016 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. When novel sources of ecological opportunity are available, physiological innovations can trigger adaptive radiations. This could be the case of yeasts (Saccharomycotina), in which an evolutionary novelty is represented by the capacity to exploit simple sugars from fruits (fermentation). During adaptive radiations, diversification and morphological evolution are predicted to slow-down after early bursts of diversification. Here, we performed the first comparative phylogenetic analysis in yeasts, testing the “early burst” prediction on species diversification and also on traits of putative ecological relevance (cell-size and fermentation versatility). We found that speciation rates are constant during the time-range we considered (ca., 150�millions of years). Phylogenetic signal of both traits was significant (but lower for cell-size), suggesting that lineages resemble each other in trait-values. Disparity analysis suggested accelerated evolution (diversification in trait values above Brownian Motion expectations) in cell-size. We also found a significant phylogenetic regression between cell-size and fermentation versatility (R 2 �=�0.10), which suggests correlated evolution between both traits. Overall, our results do not support the early burst prediction both in species and traits, but suggest a number of interesting evolutionary patterns, that warrant further exploration. For instance, we show that the Whole Genomic Duplication that affected a whole clade of yeasts, does not seems to have a statistically detectable phenotypic effect at our level of analysis. In this regard, further studies of fermentation under common-garden conditions combined with comparative analyses are warranted.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

The ecology and evolution of the monito del monte, a relict species from the southern South America temperate forests

The arboreal marsupial monito del monte (genus Dromiciops, with two recognized species) is a paradigmatic mammal. It is the sole living representative of the order Microbiotheria, the ancestor lineage of Australian marsupials. Also, this marsupial is the unique frugivorous mammal in the temperate rainforest, being the main seed disperser of several endemic plants of this ecosystem, thus acting as keystone species. Dromiciops is also one of the few hibernating mammals in South America, spending half of the year in a physiological dormancy where metabolism is reduced to 10% of normal levels. This capacity to reduce energy expenditure in winter contrasts with the enormous energy turnover rate they experience in spring and summer. The unique life history strategies of this living Microbiotheria, characterized by an alternation of life in the slow and fast lanes, putatively represent ancestral traits that permitted these cold-adapted mammals to survive in this environment. Here, we describe the ecological role of this emblematic marsupial, summarizing the ecophysiology of hibernation and sociality, updated phylogeographic relationships, reproductive cycle, trophic relationships, mutualisms, conservation, and threats. This marsupial shows high densities, despite presenting slow reproductive rates, a paradox explained by the unique characteristics of its three-dimensional habitat. We finally suggest immediate actions to protect these species that may be threatened in the near future due to habitat destruction and climate change.Fil: Fontúrbel, Francisco E.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Franco, Lida M.. Universidad de Ibagué; ColombiaFil: Bozinovic, Francisco. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Quintero Galvis, Julian F.. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Mejías, Carlos. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Amico, Guillermo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Miriam Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Sabat, Pablo. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Sánchez Hernández, Juan C.. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; EspañaFil: Watson, David M.. Charles Sturt University; AustraliaFil: Saenz Agudelo, Pablo. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Nespolo, Roberto F.. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chil

Exploring the evolution of multicellularity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under bacteria environment: An experimental phylogenetics approach

© 2018 Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. There have been over 25 independent unicellular to multicellular evolutionary transitions, which have been transformational in the complexity of life. All of these transitions likely occurred in communities numerically dominated by unicellular organisms, mostly bacteria. Hence, it is reasonable to expect that bacteria were involved in generating the ecological conditions that promoted the stability and proliferation of the first multicellular forms as protective units. In this study, we addressed this problem by analyzing the occurrence of multicellularity in an experimental phylogeny of yeasts (Sacharomyces cerevisiae) a model organism that is unicellular but can generate multicellular clusters under some conditions. We exposed a single ancestral population to periodic divergences, coevolving with a cocktail of environmental bacteria that were inoculated to the environment of the ancestor, and compared to a control (no bacteria). We quantified culturable microorganisms to the level of genera, finding up to 20 taxa (all bacteria) that competed with the yeasts during diversification. After 600 generations of coevolution, the yeasts produced two types of multicellular clusters: clonal and aggregative. Whereas clonal clusters were present in both treatments, aggregative clusters were only present under the bacteria treatment and showed significant phylogenetic signal. However, clonal clusters showed different properties if bacteria were present as follows: They were more abundant and significantly smaller than in the control. These results indicate that bacteria are important modulators of the occurrence of multicellularity, providing support to the idea that they generated the ecological conditions-promoting multicellularity.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Mitogenomics of electric rays: evolutionary considerations within Torpediniformes (Batoidea; Chondrichthyes)

© 2016 The Linnean Society of London Torpediniformes (electric rays) is a relatively diverse group of benthic coastal elasmobranchs found in all shallow tropical to temperate waters around the world. Despite its ecological and evolutionary importance, the inter-relationships within this lineage of cartilaginous fishes and its phylogenetic position within Batoidea remain controversial. In this study, we report the first complete sequences of two tropical electric rays, Narcine bancroftii and Narcine brasiliensis, using a combination of 454 and Sanger sequencing technologies. These species are a common bycatch of artisanal fishery communities on the north-east Caribbean coast of Colombia and are considered Critically Endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature classification system. Overall, the two newly sequenced mitogenomes exhibit similarities in size, transcriptional orientation, gene order, and nucleotide composition in comparison to other batoids. Based on the concatenated alignment of protein-coding genes, our phylogenetic analyses support the hypothesis that electric rays are closely related to thornback rays (Platyrhinidae), forming a clade in a sister position to a group containing the remaining three batoid orders. Within Torpediniformes, our results reject the nonmonophyletic hypothesis of the genus Narcine reported in previous morphological and molecular studies.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Genomic diversity and demographic history of the Dromiciops genus (Marsupialia: Microbiotheriidae)

Three orders represent the South American fauna of marsupials. Of these, Microbiotheria was until recently known as a monotypic genus with the only surviving species Dromiciops gliroides (monito del monte). The recent proposal of a new Dromiciops species (Dromiciops bozinovici), together with new information on the origin and diversification of living microbioterians has changed the prevailing paradigm around the evolutionary history of these emblematic marsupials. Here, we used a RADseq approach to test for evidence of admixture and past or current gene flow among both species of Dromiciops and evaluate the genetic structure within D. gliroides. We analyzed 127 samples of Dromiciops distributed across the known distribution range of both species. We also inferred the joint demographic history of these lineages, thus corroborating the status of D. bozinovici as a distinct species. Demographic history reconstruction indicated that D. bozinovici diverged from D. gliroides around 4my ago and has remained isolated and demographically stable ever since. In contrast, D. gliroides is subdivided into three subclades that experienced recent expansions and moderate gene flow among them (mostly from north to south). Furthermore, genetic distances among populations within D. gliroides were significantly correlated with geographic distances. These results suggest that some of the D. gliroides populations would have survived in glacial refuges, with posterior expansions after ice retreat. Our results have important implications for the systematics of the genus and have profound conservation consequences for the new species, especially considering the fragmentation level of the temperate rainforest.Fil: Quintero Galvis, Julian F.. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chile. Millenium Institute for Integrative Biology; ChileFil: Saenz Agudelo, Pablo. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Amico, Guillermo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Miriam Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Shafer, Aaron B. A.. Trent University (trent University);Fil: Nespolo, Roberto F.. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chile. Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. Millenium Institute for Integrative Biology; Chile. Millennium Nucleus of Patagonian Limit of Life; Chil

The biogeography of Dromiciops in southern South America: Middle Miocene transgressions, speciation and associations with Nothofagus

The current distribution of the flora and fauna of southern South America is the result of drastic geological events that occurred during the last 20 million years, including marine transgressions, glaciations and active vulcanism. All these have been associated with fragmentation, isolation and subsequent expansion of the biota, south of 35°S, such as the temperate rainforest. This forest is mostly dominated by Nothofagus trees and is the habitat of the relict marsupial monito del monte, genus Dromiciops, sole survivor of the order Microbiotheria. Preliminary analyses using mtDNA proposed the existence of three main Dromiciops lineages, distributed latitudinally, whose divergence was initially attributed to recent Pleistocene glaciations. Using fossil-calibrated dating on nuclear and mitochondrial genes, here we reevaluate this hypothesis and report an older (Miocene) biogeographic history for the genus. We performed phylogenetic reconstructions using sequences from two mitochondrial DNA and four nuclear DNA genes in 159 specimens from 31 sites across Chile and Argentina. Our phylogenetic analysis resolved three main clades with discrete geographic distributions. The oldest and most differentiated clade corresponds to that of the northern distribution (35.2°S to 39.3°S), which should be considered a distinct species (D. bozinovici, sensu D'Elía et al. 2016). According to our estimations, this species shared a common ancestor with D. gliroides (southern clades) about ~13 million years ago. Divergence time estimates for the southern clades (39.6°S to 42.0°S) ranged from 9.57 to 6.5 Mya. A strong genetic structure was also detected within and between clades. Demographic analyses suggest population size stability for the northern clade (D. bozinovici), and recent demographic expansions for the central and southern clades. All together, our results suggest that the diversification of Dromiciops were initiated by the Middle Miocene transgression (MMT), the massive marine flooding that covered several lowlands of the western face of Los Andes between 37 and 48°S. The MMT resulted from an increase in global sea levels at the Miocene climatic optimum, which shaped the biogeographic origin of several species, including Nothofagus forests, the habitat of Dromiciops.Fil: Quintero Galvis, Julian F.. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Saenz Agudelo, Pablo. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Celis Diez, Juan L.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Amico, Guillermo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Miriam Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Shafer, Aaron B.A.. Trent University; CanadáFil: Nespolo, Roberto F.. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chile. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chil

Strategies of biochemical adaptation for hibernation in a South American marsupial Dromiciops gliroides: 1. Mitogen-activated protein kinases and the cell stress response

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Hibernation is a period of torpor and heterothermy that is typically associated with a strong reduction in metabolic rate, global suppression of transcription and translation, and upregulation of various genes/proteins that are central to the cellular stress response such as protein kinases, antioxidants, and heat shock proteins. The current study examined cell signaling cascades in hibernating monito del monte, Dromiciops gliroides, a South American marsupial of the Order Microbiotheria. Responses to hibernation by members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, and their roles in coordinating hibernator metabolism were examined in liver, kidney, heart and brain of control and versus hibernating (4. days continuous torpor) D. gliroides. The targets evaluated included key protein kinases in their activated phosphorylated forms (p-ERK/MAPK 1/2, p-MEK1, p-MSK1, p-p38, p-JNK) and related target proteins (p-CREB 2, p-ATF2, p-c-Jun and p-p53). Liver exhibited a strong coordinated response by MAPK members to hibernation with significant increases in protein phosphorylation levels of p-MEK1, p-ERK/MAPK1/2, p-MSK1, p-JNK and target proteins c-Jun, and p-ATF2, all combining to signify a strong activation of MAPK signaling during hibernation. Kidney also showed activation of MAPK cascades with significant increases in p-MEK1, p-ERK/MAPK1/2, p-p38, and p-c-Jun levels in hibernating animals. By contrast, responses by heart and brain indicated reduced MAPK pathway function during torpor with reduced phosphorylation of targets including p-ERK/MAPK 1/2 in both tissues as well as lower p-p38 and p-JNK content in heart. Overall, the data indicate a vital role for MAPK signaling in regulating the cell stress response during marsupial hibernation.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex