Whole snake genomes from eighteen families of snakes (Serpentes: Caenophidia) and their applications to systematics

Journal of Heredity, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 115(5), С. 487 - 497

Опубликована: Май 9, 2024

We present genome assemblies for 18 snake species representing families (Serpentes: Caenophidia): Acrochordus granulatus, Aparallactus werneri, Boaedon fuliginosus, Calamaria suluensis, Cerberus rynchops, Grayia smithii, Imantodes cenchoa, Mimophis mahfalensis, Oxyrhabdium leporinum, Pareas carinatus, Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Pseudoxenodon macrops, Pseudoxyrhopus heterurus, Sibynophis collaris, Stegonotus admiraltiensis, Toxicocalamus goodenoughensis, Trimeresurus albolabris, and Tropidonophis doriae. From these new assemblies, we extracted thousands of loci commonly used in systematic phylogenomic studies on snakes, including target-capture datasets composed ultraconserved elements (UCEs) anchored hybrid enriched (AHEs), as well traditional Sanger loci. Phylogenies inferred from the two were identical with each other strongly congruent previously published phylogenies. To show additional utility non-model genomes investigative evolutionary research, mined New Guinea island endemics our dataset (S. admiraltiensis T. doriae) ATP1a3 gene, a thoroughly researched indicator resistance to toad toxin ingestion by squamates. find that both snakes possess genotype despite their endemism Guinea, region absent any toads until human-mediated introduction Cane Toads 1930s. These substitutions suggest same bufotoxin Australian congenerics (Stegonotus australis mairii) which forage invasive Toads. Herein, short-read high-coverage genomes, improving deficit available squamate associated voucher specimens.

Язык: Английский

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VenomCap: An exon‐capture probe set for the targeted sequencing of snake venom genes

Molecular Ecology Resources, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 19, 2024

Abstract Snake venoms are complex mixtures of toxic proteins that hold significant medical, pharmacological and evolutionary interest. To better understand the genetic diversity underlying snake venoms, we developed VenomCap, a novel exon‐capture probe set targeting toxin‐coding genes from wide range elapid snakes, with particular focus on ecologically diverse medically important subfamily Hydrophiinae. We tested capture success VenomCap across 24 species, representing all major lineages. included phylogenomic probes in set, allowing us to compare performance between venom loci infer phylogenetic relationships. demonstrated VenomCap's ability recover exons ~1500 target markers, total known gene families, which includes dominant families found venoms. find results robust elapids sampled, especially among hydrophiines, respect measures (target matched, sensitivity, specificity missing data). As cost‐effective efficient alternative full genome sequencing, can dramatically accelerate sequencing analysis families. Overall, our tool offers model for genomic studies evolution be expanded comprehensive comparisons other venomous snakes.

Язык: Английский

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Hooding cobras can get ahead of other snakes in the ability to evoke human fear

The Science of Nature, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 112(1)

Опубликована: Дек. 4, 2024

Abstract Fear of snakes is common not only in humans but also other primates. Consequently, are salient stimuli associated with prioritized attention, early detection and emotional significance. This has been interpreted as an adaptive evolutionary response the primate brain to a risk envenoming by hidden snake. However, struggle between mammals one-sided. Humans carnivores regularly kill snakes, thus develop deterring defensive behaviour that may directly evoke enhanced fear. Here, we show depicted threatening posture evoked on average more fear than those resting posture. Significantly, African (Somali) European (Czech) respondents considerably agreed relative elicited various snakes. Nonetheless, all postures equally efficient. Threatening cobras were perceived top fear-evoking stimuli, even though most them considered very frightening effect can be attributed their conspicuous hooding which evolved into efficient warning signal for mammalian predators. Our result demonstrates effective ability human simple behavioural display—hooding. primarily explained evolution successfully exploited pre-existing cognitive mechanisms mammals. Whether ancestors cohabiting deadly venomous further improved uncertain, likely.

Язык: Английский

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Cobras originated in Asia and migrated to Africa

Nature India, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 3, 2024

Язык: Английский

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