Mitogenomic Characterization and Phylogenetic Placement of African Hind, Cephalopholis taeniops: Shedding Light on the Evolution of Groupers (Serranidae: Epinephelinae)

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(3), P. 1822 - 1822

Published: Feb. 2, 2024

The global exploration of evolutionary trends in groupers, based on mitogenomes, is currently underway. This research extensively investigates the structure and variations Cephalopholis species along with their phylogenetic relationships, focusing specifically taeniops from Eastern Atlantic Ocean. generated mitogenome spans 16,572 base pairs exhibits a gene order analogous to that ancestral teleost’s, featuring 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNAs), 22 transfer (tRNAs), an AT-rich control region. C. displays AT bias (54.99%), aligning related species. majority PCGs initiate start codon ATG, exceptions being COI (GTG) atp6 (TTG). relative synonymous usage analysis revealed maximum abundance leucine, proline, serine, threonine. nonsynonymous/synonymous ratios were <1, which indicates strong negative selection among all In taeniops, prevalent RNAs display conventional cloverleaf secondary structures, except for tRNA-serine (GCT), lacks dihydrouracil (DHU) stem. A comparative examination conserved domains sequence blocks across various noteworthy length nucleotide diversity. Maximum likelihood, neighbor-joining, Bayesian analyses, employing concatenated combination + rRNAs, distinctly separate species, including taeniops. Overall, these findings deepen our understanding relationships serranid emphasizing significance structural considerations mitogenomic analyses.

Language: Английский

---

A Confidence Scoring Procedure for eDNA Metabarcoding Records and Its Application to a Global Marine Fish Dataset

Environmental DNA, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 7(2)

Published: March 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is changing the way biodiversity surveyed in many types of ecosystems. eDNA surveys are now commonly performed and integrated into monitoring programs public databases. Although it widely recognized that records require interpretation light taxonomy biogeography, there remains a range perceptions about how thoroughly should be evaluated which ones reported. Here, we present modular procedure, available as an R script, uses set five steps to assess confidence species‐level by assigning them score from 0 5. This procedure includes evaluations known geographic distribution each taxon, taxonomic resolution marker used, regional completeness reference database, diversification rate, map taxon. We tested on large‐scale marine fish dataset (572 samples) covering 15 ecoregions worldwide, poles tropics, using teleo mitochondrial 12S ribosomal gene. Our analysis revealed broad variation average among regions, with highest scores occurring along European Eastern Atlantic coasts. Generalized linear models applied record covariates highlighted significant influences latitude species richness low (< 2.5). The polar regions notably displayed high proportions scores, probably due limited databases marker. conclude only (> 2.5) medium (2.5) relatively low‐confidence correspond further investigation may after inspection ensure high‐quality records.

Language: Английский

---

Host use drives convergent evolution in clownfish

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(17)

Published: April 25, 2025

Clownfishes (Amphiprioninae) are a fascinating example of marine radiation. From central Pacific ancestor, they quickly colonized the coral reefs Indo-Pacific and diversified independently on each side Indo-Australian Archipelago. Their association with sea anemones has been proposed to be key innovation that enabled clownfish However, this intuition little empirical or theoretical support given our current knowledge group. To date, no ecological variable identified explain niche partitioning, phenotypic evolution, species co-occurrence, thus, adaptive aspect group’s Our study solves long-standing mystery by testing influence anemone host use divergence. We provide major revision known clownfish-sea associations, accounting for biologically relevant aspects associations. gathered whole-genome data all 28 reconstructed fully supported tree Amphiprioninae. Integrating into comparative genomic approaches, we demonstrate drivers convergent evolution in color pattern morphology. During diversification group, clownfishes different regions associate same hosts have evolved similar phenotypes. Comparative genomics also reveals several genes under positive selection linked specialization events. findings reveal plays crucial role driving diversification. This highlights how strong mutualistic interaction can promote entire clades influencing their phenotypes, defining geographic distribution, ultimately contributing evolutionary success.

Language: Английский

---

Differences in Colour Pattern, Behaviour and Gene Expression in the Brain Suggest Divergent Camouflage Strategies in Sympatric Reef Fish Species

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 29, 2025

ABSTRACT Camouflage is a critical survival strategy that helps to evade predation and increase hunting success. Background matching disruptive colouration are different camouflage strategies subject selective pressures can drive divergence in their associated traits such as colour pattern behaviour. This study tested whether two closely related reef fish species ( Hypoplectrus spp.) with distinct patterns exhibit predator escape responses differential gene expression the brain indicative of divergent strategies. Combining field laboratory experiments, we show barred hamlets, characterised by colouration, dynamic responses, while black darker had preference for hiding. The behavioural differences between these seem be limited since other behaviours activity or sociability did not differ. Importantly, observed were accompanied transcriptomic brains, particularly regions perception looming threats less so region involved conditioning. Differential diencephalon suggests enhanced neuronal plasticity which might allow rapid adjustments response, hamlets exhibited upregulation genes linked immune response oxygen transport optic tectum. Overall, our findings suggest utilise strategies, contribute maintenance thereby influence speciation diversification sympatric fishes.

Language: Английский

---

Diving into the diversity of colour patterns in reef fishes

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(4)

Published: Jan. 21, 2024

Colours and associated patterns are probably some of the most obvious phenotypic traits in animals reef teleost fishes often cited as a textbook example for illustrating this type diversity. Even if it is well established that colour play central role ecology evolution fishes, we still lack necessary toolkits to fully grasp mechanisms driving diversification trait. On one hand, genotyping power seems now limitless thanks current DNA sequencing technologies. Today, entire genomes can be easily produced large sets species. other description quantification their variation across might highly challenging. In cover manuscript issue Molecular Ecology, Coulmance et al. (2023) introduced an innovative approach extracting quantifying major pattern elements present hamlets ( Hypoplectrus spp., Serranidae), recent fish radiation from Caribbean. Then, they intelligently used quantified trait genome‐wide association study (GWAS). Interestingly, using method required no priori knowledge, were able recover well‐established marks (e.g., vertical bars) highlight less expected dark light gradient on ventral part caudal anal fins), which show strong peaks linkage group (LG) 12 04. Beyond demonstration potential new quantitative analysis combined with GWAS, findings offer perspectives our understanding intrinsic extrinsic factors generating outstanding diversity world.

Language: Английский

---