Additional file 1: Table S1. of Phenotypic integration mediated by hormones: associations among digit ratios, body size and testosterone during tadpole development

Results of the symmetry tests between right and left measurements in Leptodactylus frogs; d.f. = degrees of freedom. Table S2. Mean and standard deviation for Sexual Dimorphism Indexes (SDI) of SVL and the 2D:4D ratio, calculated for different localities of Leptodactylus podicipinus; codes within parentheses indicate the Brazilian state of each locality. Figure S1. Localization of each natural population sampled for measurements in adults. Localities where both species were collected: 1) Humaitá (AM) and 6) São José do Rio Preto (SP). Localities where L. podicipinus was collected: 2) Porto Velho (RO), 3) São José do Rio Claro (MT), 4) Corumbá (MS), and 5) Uberlândia (MG). (PDF 355 kb

Best linear models testing the effects of aridity index (logQ) and elongation groups (EgroupPC) on the morphological component (morphPC).

<p>Significant values (P<0.05) are indicated with an asterisk (*).</p

Relationships between aridity index (logQ) and body elongation (given by morphPC) in gymnophthalmid lizards.

<p>MorphPC = morphological principal component. Symbols represent elongation groups: triangles correspond to the more-elongated species, and squares indicate less-elongated species.</p

Variable loadings resulting from a phylogenetic Principal Component Analysis (PCA) performed on the morphometric variables measured in gymnophthalmids.

<p>MorphPC = morphological principal component.</p

SMC6 is an essential gene in mice, but a hypomorphic mutant in the ATPase domain has a mild phenotype with a range of subtle abnormalities

Smc5-6 is a highly conserved protein complex related to cohesin and condensin involved in the structural maintenance of chromosomes. In yeasts the Smc5-6 complex is essential for proliferation and is involved in DNA repair and homologous recombination. siRNA depletion of genes involved in the Smc5-6 complex in cultured mammalian cells results in sensitivity to some DNA damaging agents. In order to gain further insight into its role in mammals we have generated mice mutated in the Smc6 gene. A complete knockout resulted in early embryonic lethality, demonstrating that this gene is essential in mammals. However, mutation of the highly conserved serine-994 to alanine in the ATP hydrolysis motif in the SMC6 C-terminal domain, resulted in mice with a surprisingly mild phenotype. With the neo gene selection marker in the intron following the mutation, resulting in reduced expression of the SMC6 gene, the mice were reduced in size, but fertile and had normal lifespans. When the neo gene was removed, the mice had normal size, but detailed phenotypic analysis revealed minor abnormalities in glucose tolerance, haematopoiesis, nociception and global gene expression patterns. Embryonic fibroblasts derived from the ser994 mutant mice were not sensitive to killing by a range of DNA damaging agents, but they were sensitive to the induction of sister chromatid exchanges induced by ultraviolet light or mitomycin C. They also accumulated more oxidative damage than wild-type cells. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.</p

Thyroid state in serum of progeroid and naturally aged mice.

<p>Serum T4 (A) and T3 (B) concentrations in 7-, 12-, 15-, and 18-day-old WT (squares) and XAA (Csbm/m/Xpa-/-) mice (circles) (n = 3/group). Serum T4 (C) and T3 (D) concentrations in 4-, and 18-week-old WT (black bars) and MAA (Ercc1-/Δ-7) (white bars) mice (n = 3/group). Serum T4 and T3 concentrations in 26-, 104-, and 130-week-old WT male mice (n = 3-4/group) (E). Serum TSH levels in 15-day old WT and XAA (Csbm/m/Xpa-/-) mice (F) and in 26-, 104-, and 130-week-old WT male mice (G). Values represent mean ± SE per group. * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001; # P = 0.054.</p

Thyroid state in brains of progeroid and naturally aged mice.

<p>Homogenates of whole brain or hemispheres were used. T4 (A) and T3 (B) concentrations in brains of 7-, 12-, 15-, and 18-day-old WT (squares) and XAA (Csbm/m/Xpa-/-) mice (n = 3/group). Activities of D2 (C) and D3 (D) brains of 7-, 12-, 15-, and 18-day-old WT and XAA (Csbm/m/Xpa-/-) mice (n = 3/group). T4 (E) and T3 (F) concentrations and D3 activity (G) in brains of 4-, and 18-week-old WT (black bars) and MAA (Ercc-/Δ-7) (white bars) mice (n = 3/group). It was not possible to measure D2 activity due to technical constraints. Values represent mean ± SE per group. * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001.</p

Thyroid state in skeletal muscle of progeroid and naturally aged mice.

<p>T3 concentrations (A) and activities of D2 (B) and D3 (C) in muscle of 15-day-old WT and XAA (Csbm/m/Xpa-/-) mice (n = 3/group). T4 (D) and T3 (E) concentrations and activities of D2 (F) and D3 (G) in muscle of 18-week-old WT and MAA (Ercc1-/Δ-7) mice (n = 3/group). T4 (H) and T3 (I) concentrations and activities of D2 (J) and D3 (K) in muscle of 26-, 104-, and 130-week-old WT mice (n = 3-5/group). Values represent mean ± SE per group. * P < 0.05</p

Schematic representation of the survival response.

<p>Several types of stress (e.g. DNA damage and aging) can trigger a differential response in various tissues. This response ensures decreased TH signalling in liver and kidney, while it preserves TH signalling in brain, muscle and heart.</p

Liver D1 and D3 activity in DEHP-treated WT mice.

<p>Activities of D1 (A) and D3 (B) in 10-wk-old WT animals after exposure or not to subtoxic doses of the pro-oxidant DEHP for 2, 12 and 39 weeks. Values represent mean ± SE per group (n = 5). * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01.</p