Evolution and co-evolution of the suck behaviour, a postcopulatory female resistance trait that manipulates received ejaculate

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: March 26, 2025

Language: Английский

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Large-scale phylogenomics of the genus Macrostomum (Platyhelminthes) reveals cryptic diversity and novel sexual traits

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 166, P. 107296 - 107296

Published: Aug. 23, 2021

Free-living flatworms of the genus Macrostomum are small and transparent animals, representing attractive study organisms for a broad range topics in evolutionary, developmental, molecular biology. The includes model organism M. lignano which extensive resources available, recently there is growing interest extending work to additional species genus. These endeavours currently hindered because, even though >200 have been taxonomically described, phylogenetic information geographic sampling remain limited. We report on global campaign aimed at increasing taxon representation Specifically, we use transcriptome single-locus data generate phylogenomic hypotheses including 145 species. Across different methods alignments used, identify several consistent clades, while their exact grouping less clear, possibly due radiation early evolution. Moreover, uncover large undescribed diversity, with 94 studied likely being new science, multiple novel morphological traits. Furthermore, cryptic speciation challenging assemblage species, suggesting that markers prerequisite future work, describe distribution putative synapomorphies suggest taxonomic revisions based our finding. Our large-scale dataset now provides robust foundation comparative analyses morphological, behavioural evolution this

Language: Английский

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Frequent origins of traumatic insemination involve convergent shifts in sperm and genital morphology

Evolution Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 63 - 82

Published: Dec. 31, 2021

Traumatic insemination is a mating behavior during which the (sperm) donor uses traumatic intromittent organ to inject an ejaculate through epidermis of recipient, thereby frequently circumventing female genitalia. occurs widely across animals, but frequency its evolution, intermediate stages via it originates, and morphological changes that such shifts involve remain poorly understood. Based on observations in 145 species free-living flatworm genus

Language: Английский

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Genome and Karyotype Reorganization after Whole Genome Duplication in Free-Living Flatworms of the Genus Macrostomum

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 21(2), P. 680 - 680

Published: Jan. 20, 2020

The genus Macrostomum represents a diverse group of rhabditophoran flatworms with >200 species occurring around the world. Earlier we uncovered karyotype instability linked to hidden polyploidy in both M. lignano (2n = 8) and its sibling janickei 10), prompting interest organization close relatives. In this study, investigated chromosome two recently described closely related species, mirumnovem cliftonensis, explored laboratory lines cultures (DV1/10, 2n 10) more detail. We revealed that three four studied are characterized by instability, while cliftonensis showed stable 6 karyotype. Next, performed comparative cytogenetics these using fluorescent situ hybridization (FISH) set DNA probes (including microdissected generated from chromosomes, rDNA, telomeric DNA). To explore unusual 9 discovered mirumnovem, then chromosome-specific for all chromosomes species. Similar janickei, our findings suggest arose via whole genome duplication (WGD) followed considerable reshuffling. discuss possible evolutionary scenarios emergence reorganization karyotypes consider their suitability as promising animal models studying mechanisms regularities evolution after recent WGD.

Language: Английский

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Successful mating and hybridisation in two closely related flatworm species despite significant differences in reproductive morphology and behaviour

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: July 30, 2020

Abstract Reproductive traits are some of the fastest diverging characters and can serve as reproductive barriers. The free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano , its congener M. janickei closely related, but differ substantially in their male intromittent organ (stylet) morphology. Here, we examine whether these morphological differences accompanied by behavioural traits, could represent barriers to successful mating hybridization between two species. Our data shows that species many aspects behaviour. Despite differences, mate readily with each other heterospecific pairings. Although both have similar fecundity conspecific pairings, pairings revealed clear postmating barriers, few produced F1 hybrids. These hybrids had a stylet morphology was intermediate parental species, they were fertile. Finally, using choice experiment, show nearly two-fold higher rate caused it more conspecifics, leading assortative mating, while ended up heterospecifics. Thus, hybridize, possibly lead fitness costs for compared .

Language: Английский

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Variation in sex allocation plasticity in three closely related flatworm species

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(1), P. 26 - 37

Published: Aug. 16, 2019

Abstract Sex allocation (SA) theory for simultaneous hermaphrodites predicts an influence of group size on SA. Since can vary within individual's lifetime, this favor the evolution phenotypically plastic In emerging comparative context, we here report SA plasticity in three closely related Macrostomum flatworm species, namely janickei , cliftonensis and mirumnovem . For each experimentally raised worms sizes (isolated, pairs, octets) two enclosure (small large) all factorial combinations studied effects these factors different estimates addition, also evaluated whether isolated engage self‐fertilization. We found that species have SA, with M. being more than other as assessed by comparing standardized effect (a) presence/absence mating partners (b) strength sexual competition. Moreover, sperm production rate—but not morphology—is only self‐fertilized during our observation period. Our study suggests both diverge even between species.

Language: Английский

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The repeatable opportunity for selection differs between pre- and postcopulatory fitness components

Evolution Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 5(1), P. 101 - 114

Published: Dec. 25, 2020

In species with multiple mating, intense sexual selection may occur both before and after copulation. However, comparing the strength of pre- postcopulatory is challenging, because (i) processes are generally difficult to observe (ii) often-used opportunity for (

Language: Английский

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Mating behavior and reproductive morphology predict macroevolution of sex allocation in hermaphroditic flatworms

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Feb. 7, 2022

Abstract Background Sex allocation is the distribution of resources to male or female reproduction. In hermaphrodites, this concerns an individual’s resource to, for example, production gametes. Macroevolutionary studies across hermaphroditic plants have revealed that self-pollination rate and pollination mode are strong predictors sex allocation. Consequently, we expect similar factors such as selfing aspects reproductive biology, like mating behaviour intensity postcopulatory sexual selection, predict in animals. However, comparative work on animals limited. Here, study 120 species free-living flatworm genus Macrostomum . We ask how hypodermic insemination, a convergently evolved where sperm traumatically injected through partner’s epidermis, affects evolution also test commonly-made assumption investment into reproduction should trade-off. Finally, if morphological indicators selection (female genital complexity, copulatory organ length, length) can Results find repeated insemination predicts more female-biased (i.e., relative shift towards allocation). Moreover, transcriptome-based estimates heterozygosity reveal reduced hypodermically species, indicating behavior linked increased biparental inbreeding. Therefore, could represent syndrome. Furthermore, genus, gametes negatively related, larger longer sperm, male-biased Conclusions Selfing syndromes repeatedly originated plants. Remarkably, macroevolutionary pattern replicated flatworms shifts behavior. trade-off between reproduction, fundamental most theories Beyond that, no theory suggesting avenues future work. intense appear competition.

Language: Английский

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Genome assemblies of the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworms Macrostomum cliftonense and Macrostomum hystrix

G3 Genes Genomes Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(9)

Published: June 30, 2023

Abstract The free-living, simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworms of the genus Macrostomum are increasingly used as model systems in various contexts. In particular, lignano, only species this group with a published genome assembly, has emerged for study regeneration, reproduction, and stem-cell function. However, challenges have due to M. lignano being hidden polyploid, having recently undergone whole-genome duplication chromosome fusion events. This complex architecture presents significant roadblock application many modern genetic tools. Hence, additional genomic resources needed. Here, we present such cliftonense hystrix, which represent contrasting mating behaviors reciprocal copulation hypodermic insemination found genus. We use combination PacBio long-read sequencing Illumina shot-gun sequencing, along several RNA-Seq data sets, assemble annotate highly contiguous genomes both species. assemblies span ∼227 ∼220 Mb represented by 399 42 contigs respectively. Furthermore, high BUSCO completeness (∼84–85%), low rates (8.3–6.2%), k-mer multiplicity indicate that these do not suffer from same assembly ambiguities can be attributed karyology also show resources, prior offer an excellent foundation comparative research organisms.

Language: Английский

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Sperm competition favours intermediate sperm size in a hermaphrodite

Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 37(7), P. 829 - 838

Published: May 13, 2024

Abstract Sperm competition is a potent mechanism of postcopulatory sexual selection that has been found to shape reproductive morphologies and behaviours in promiscuous animals. Especially sperm size argued evolve response through its effect on longevity, motility, the ability displace competing sperm, ultimately fertilization success. Additionally, observed co-evolve with female morphology. Theoretical work predicts may select for longer but also favour shorter if trades-off number. In this study, we studied relationship between postmating success free-living flatworm, Macrostomum lignano. Specifically, used inbred isolines M. lignano varied investigate how translated into worms transfer deposit mating partner. Our results revealed hump-shaped individuals producing intermediate having highest competitiveness. This finding broadens our understanding evolution morphology by providing empirical support stabilizing under competition.

Language: Английский

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