The Diversity of Venom: The Importance of Behavior and Venom System Morphology in Understanding Its Ecology and Evolution

Toxins, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 11(11), P. 666 - 666

Published: Nov. 14, 2019

Venoms are one of the most convergent animal traits known, and encompass a much greater taxonomic functional diversity than is commonly appreciated. This knowledge gap limits potential venom as model trait in evolutionary biology. Here, we summarize venoms relate this to what known about system morphology, modulation, pharmacology, with aim drawing attention importance these largely neglected aspects research. We find that animals have evolved at least 101 independent times play 11 distinct ecological roles addition predation, defense, feeding. Comparisons different systems suggest morphology strongly influences how achieve functions, hence an important consideration for understanding molecular evolution their toxins. Our findings also highlight need more holistic studies toxins they contain. Greater behavior, ecologically relevant toxin pharmacology will improve our toxins, likely facilitate exploration sources tools therapeutic agrochemical lead compounds.

Language: Английский

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Comprehensive Species Sampling and Sophisticated Algorithmic Approaches Refute the Monophyly of Arachnida

Molecular Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 39(2)

Published: Jan. 25, 2022

Deciphering the evolutionary relationships of Chelicerata (arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and allied taxa) has proven notoriously difficult, due to their ancient rapid radiation incidence elevated rates in several lineages. Although conflicting hypotheses prevail morphological molecular data sets alike, monophyly Arachnida is nearly universally accepted, despite historical lack support sets. Some phylotranscriptomic analyses have recovered arachnid monophyly, but these did not sample all living orders, whereas including orders failed recover Arachnida. To understand this conflict, we assembled a set 506 high-quality genomes transcriptomes, sampling with high occupancy rigorous approaches orthology inference. Our consistently nested placement crabs within paraphyletic This result was insensitive variation genes, complexity substitution models, alternative algorithmic species tree Investigation sources systematic bias showed that genes sites are enriched noise exhibit low information content. test impact data, generated 514-taxon matrix extant fossil Chelicerata, analyzed tandem matrix. Combined clade Merostomata (the marine Xiphosura, Eurypterida, Chasmataspidida), merostomates appeared results suggest convergence resulting from adaptations life terrestrial habitats driven perception paralleling history numerous other invertebrate groups.

Language: Английский

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Humidity sensors that alert mosquitoes to nearby hosts and egg-laying sites

Neuron, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 111(6), P. 874 - 887.e8

Published: Jan. 13, 2023

Language: Английский

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The evolution of insect biodiversity

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(19), P. R1299 - R1311

Published: Oct. 1, 2021

Language: Английский

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Phylogenomic interrogation resolves the backbone of the Pseudoscorpiones tree of life

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 139, P. 106509 - 106509

Published: May 24, 2019

Language: Английский

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Signaling Pathways That Regulate the Crustacean Molting Gland

Frontiers in Endocrinology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: June 21, 2021

A pair of Y-organs (YOs) are the molting glands decapod crustaceans. They synthesize and secrete steroid hormones (ecdysteroids) their activity is controlled by external internal signals. The YO transitions through four physiological states over molt cycle, which mediated molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH; basal state), mechanistic Target Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1; activated Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ)/Activin (committed ecdysteroid (repressed state) signaling pathways. MIH, produced in eyestalk X-organ/sinus gland complex, inhibits synthesis ecdysteroids. model for MIH organized into a cAMP/Ca

Language: Английский

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Genomic evolution and adaptation of arthropod-associated Rickettsia

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: March 9, 2022

Abstract Rickettsia species are endosymbionts hosted by arthropods and known to cause mild fatal diseases in humans. Here, we analyse the evolution diversity of 34 using a pangenomic meta-analysis (80 genomes/41 plasmids). Phylogenomic trees showed that spp. diverged into two Spotted Fever groups, Typhus group, Canadensis group Bellii may have inherited their plasmids from an ancestral plasmid persisted some strains or been lost others. The results suggested ancestors might infected Acari and/or Insecta probably persisting inside switching hosts. Pangenomic analysis revealed genus evolved through strong interplay between genome degradation/reduction expansion leading possible distinct adaptive trajectories. mainly shared evolutionary relationships with α-proteobacteria, also γ/β/δ-proteobacteria, cytophagia, actinobacteria, cyanobacteria, chlamydiia viruses, suggesting lateral exchanges several critical genes. These processes orchestrated abundance mobile genetic elements, especially groups. In this study, provided global genomic view intracellular help our understanding diversity, adaptation fitness.

Language: Английский

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The moulting arthropod: a complete genetic toolkit review

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(6), P. 2338 - 2375

Published: July 22, 2024

ABSTRACT Exoskeletons are a defining character of all arthropods that provide physical support for their segmented bodies and appendages as well protection from the environment predation. This ubiquitous yet evolutionarily variable feature has been instrumental in facilitating adoption variety lifestyles exploitation ecological niches across environments. Throughout radiation produced more than one million described modern species, adaptability afforded by segmentation exoskeletons led to diversity is unrivalled amongst animals. However, because limited extensibility exoskeleton chitin cuticle components, they must be periodically shed replaced with new larger ones, notably accommodate growing individuals encased within. Therefore, grow discontinuously undergoing periodic moulting events, which follow series steps preparatory pre‐moult phase ecdysis itself post‐moult maturation exoskeletons. Each event represents particularly vulnerable period an arthropod's life cycle, so processes tightly regulated meticulously executed ensure successful transitions normal growth development. Decades research representative foundation understanding mechanisms involved. Building on this, studies continue develop test hypotheses presence function molecular including neuropeptides, hormones, receptors, so‐called early, late, fate genes, arthropod diversity. Here, we review literature comprehensive overview status accumulated knowledge genetic toolkit governing moulting. From biosynthesis regulation ecdysteroid sesquiterpenoid factors involved hormonal stimulation responses remodelling, identify commonalities differences, highlighting major gaps, groups. We examine available evidence supporting current models how components operate together prepare for, execute, recover ecdysis, comparing reports Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, Hexapoda. Evidence generally highly taxonomically imbalanced, most based insect study systems. Biases also evident different phases processes, early triggers late effectors being least explored. Our synthesis contrasts reported observations reasonably plausible assumptions given taxonomic sampling, exposes weak or gaps need addressing. Encouragingly, advances genomics driving diversification tractable systems cataloguing putative toolkits previously under‐explored taxa. Analysis genome transcriptome data supported experimental investigations have validated “ultra‐conserved” core genes processes. The machinery likely evolved elaborations this conserved pathway backbone, but exploration needed characterise lineage‐specific changes novelties. Furthermore, linking these transformative innovations Arthropoda remains hampered untested assumptions. Promisingly however, emerging framework highlights avenues underlying genetics dynamic biology through complex physiology

Language: Английский

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An early Cambrian euarthropod with radiodont-like raptorial appendages

Nature, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 588(7836), P. 101 - 105

Published: Nov. 4, 2020

Language: Английский

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Snowballs in Africa: sectioning a long-lived Neoproterozoic carbonate platform and its bathyal foreslope (NW Namibia)

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 219, P. 103616 - 103616

Published: April 21, 2021

Language: Английский

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