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

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Gene flow throughout the evolutionary history of a colour polymorphic and generalist clownfish

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(14)

Published: June 14, 2024

Abstract Even seemingly homogeneous on the surface, oceans display high environmental heterogeneity across space and time. Indeed, different soft barriers structure marine environment, which offers an appealing opportunity to study various evolutionary processes such as population differentiation speciation. Here, we focus Amphiprion clarkii (Actinopterygii; Perciformes), most widespread of clownfishes that exhibits highest colour polymorphism. Clownfishes can only disperse during a short pelagic larval phase before their sedentary adult lifestyle, might limit connectivity among populations, thus facilitating speciation events. Consequently, taxonomic status A . has been under debate. We used whole‐genome resequencing data 67 specimens spread Indian Pacific Oceans characterize species' structure, demographic history found from Indo‐Pacific Ocean following stepping‐stone dispersal gene flow was pervasive throughout its history. Interestingly, patterns differed noticeably Indonesian populations two at extreme sampling distribution (i.e. Maldives New Caledonia), exhibited more comparable despite geographic genetic distances. Our emphasizes how studies uncover intricate past wide‐ranging species with diverse phenotypes, shedding light complex nature concept paradigm.

Language: Английский

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Host-use Drives Convergent Evolution in Clownfish and Disentangles the Mystery of an Iconic Adaptive Radiation

Published: July 11, 2024

Abstract 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 venomous sea anemones is often thought to be key innovation that enabled clownfish However, this intuition has little empirical or theoretical support given our current knowledge clade. To date, no ecological variable been identified can explain niche partitioning, phenotypic evolution, species co-occurrence, thus, adaptive radiation group. Our synthetic work solves long-standing mystery by testing influence anemone host use divergence. We provide first major revision known clownfish-sea associations in over 30 years, accounting for biologically relevant way. gathered whole-genome data all 28 reconstructed fully supported tree Amphiprioninae. Integrating new into comparative phylogenomic approaches, we demonstrate time, drivers convergent evolution color pattern morphology. During group, clownfishes different regions associate same hosts have evolved phenotypes. Comparative genomics also reveals several genes under positive selection linked specialisation events. results identify as disentangles entire As one most recognizable animals planet an emerging model organism biological sciences, findings bear interpretation dozens prior studies will radically reshape research agendas these iconic organisms.

Language: Английский

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Specialization into Host Sea Anemones Impacted Clownfish Demographic Responses to Pleistocene Sea Level Changes

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 16, 2024

Abstract Fluctuating sea levels during the Pleistocene led to habitat loss and fragmentation, impacting evolutionary trajectories of reef fishes. Species with specialized ecological requirements or preferences, like clownfishes (Amphiprioninae), may have been particularly vulnerable due their intricate dependence on anemones. The diverse host specializations within this group likely contributed distinct responses sea-level fluctuations, differentially shaping recent histories. Leveraging a comprehensive genomic dataset, we reveal demographic patterns connectivity dynamics across multiple populations ten clownfish species under different specializations. Host-generalist demonstrated strong resilience perturbations, while those single hosts suffered dramatic bottlenecks linked fluctuations. Spatial analyses revealed significant role oceanic currents in genetic diversity landscapes. Dispersal barriers were driven by environmental variables, Coral Triangle emerging as hub diversity. Our results how associative behavior influences population dynamics, holding major implications for conservation such need consider mutualism anemones, host-specialists, ensure survival face climate threats. These findings extend broader principles conservation, improving our understanding species’ constraints changes over timescales.

Language: Английский

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