A tenuis relationship: traditional taxonomy obscures systematics and biogeography of the ‘Acropora tenuis’ (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) species complex

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 202(1)

Опубликована: Июль 27, 2023

Abstract Molecular phylogenetics has fundamentally altered our understanding of the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography corals. Recently developed phylogenomic techniques have started to resolve species-level relationships in diverse ecologically important genus Acropora, providing a path taxonomy this notoriously problematic group. We used targeted capture dataset (2032 loci) investigate systematic within an Acropora clade containing putatively widespread species tenuis its relatives. Using maximum likelihood phylogenies genetic clustering single nucleotide polymorphisms from specimens, including topotypes, collected across Indo-Pacific, we show ≥ 11 distinct lineages clade, only four which correspond currently accepted species. Based on molecular, morphological geographical evidence, describe two new species; rongoi n. sp. tenuissima remove five additional nominal synonymy. Systematic revealed by molecular phylogeny are incongruent with traditional demonstrate that characters traditionally delineate boundaries infer evolutionary history homoplasies. Furthermore, much smaller ranges and, consequently, population sizes than thought, finding profound implications for conservation management reef

Язык: Английский

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Photosymbiosis shaped animal genome architecture and gene evolution as revealed in giant clams

Communications Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 8(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 4, 2025

Abstract Symbioses are major drivers of organismal diversification and phenotypic innovation. However, how long-term symbioses shape whole genome evolution in metazoans is still underexplored. Here, we use a giant clam ( Tridacna maxima ) to demonstrate symbiosis has left complex signatures an animal’s genome. Giant clams thrive oligotrophic waters by forming remarkable association with photosymbiotic dinoflagellate algae. Genome-based demographic inferences uncover tight correlation between T. global population change paleoclimate habitat shifts, revealing abiotic biotic factors may dictate microevolution. Comparative analyses reveal genomic features that be symbiosis-driven, including expansion contraction immunity-related gene families large proportion lineage-specific genes. Strikingly, about 70% the composed repetitive elements, especially transposable most likely resulting from symbiosis-adapted immune system. This work greatly enhances our understanding underlie metazoan diversification.

Язык: Английский

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Morphological stasis masks ecologically divergent coral species on tropical reefs

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 31(11), С. 2286 - 2298.e8

Опубликована: Апрель 2, 2021

Coral reefs are the epitome of species diversity, yet number described scleractinian coral species, framework-builders reefs, remains moderate by comparison. DNA sequencing studies rapidly challenging this notion exposing a wealth undescribed but evolutionary and ecological significance diversity largely unclear. Here, we present an annotated genome for one most ubiquitous corals in Indo-Pacific (Pachyseris speciosa) uncover, through comprehensive genomic phenotypic assessment, that it comprises morphologically indistinguishable ecologically divergent lineages. Demographic modeling based on whole-genome resequencing indicated morphological crypsis (across micro- macromorphological traits) was due to ancient stasis rather than recent divergence. Although lineages occur sympatrically across shallow mesophotic habitats, extensive genotyping using rapid molecular assay revealed differentiation their distributions. Leveraging "common garden" conditions facilitated overlapping distributions, assessed physiological quantitative skeletal traits demonstrated concurrent differentiation. Lastly, spawning observations genotyped colonies highlighted potential role temporal reproductive isolation limited admixture, with consistent signatures genes related morphogenesis reproduction. Overall, our findings demonstrate presence phenotypically without substantial provide new leads into mechanisms facilitating such More broadly, they indicate current taxonomic framework reef-building may be scratching surface relevant consequently limiting ability protect or restore effectively.

Язык: Английский

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Spatially varying selection between habitats drives physiological shifts and local adaptation in a broadcast spawning coral on a remote atoll in Western Australia

Science Advances, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 8(17)

Опубликована: Апрель 27, 2022

At the Rowley Shoals in Western Australia, prominent reef flat becomes exposed on low tide and stagnant water shallow atoll lagoons heats up, creating a natural laboratory for characterizing mechanisms of coral resilience to climate change. To explore these Acropora tenuis, we collected samples from lagoon slope habitats combined whole-genome sequencing, ITS2 metabarcoding, experimental heat stress, transcriptomics. Despite high gene flow across atoll, identified clear shifts allele frequencies between at relatively small linked genomic islands. Common garden stress assays showed corals be more resistant bleaching, RNA sequencing revealed marked differences baseline levels expression habitats. Our results provide new insight into complex change highlight potential spatially varying selection seascapes drive pronounced ecological divergence climate-related traits.

Язык: Английский

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Genetic approaches for increasing fitness in endangered species

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 37(4), С. 332 - 345

Опубликована: Янв. 10, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Disparate population and holobiont structure of pocilloporid corals across the Red Sea gradient demonstrate species‐specific evolutionary trajectories

Molecular Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 32(9), С. 2151 - 2173

Опубликована: Март 3, 2023

Abstract Global habitat degradation heightens the need to better understand patterns of genetic connectivity and diversity marine biota across geographical ranges guide conservation efforts. Corals Red Sea are subject pronounced environmental differences, but studies so far suggest that animal populations largely connected, excepting evidence for a break between northern‐central southern regions. Here, we investigated population structure holobiont assemblage two common pocilloporid corals, Pocillopora verrucosa Stylophora pistillata , Sea. We found little differentiation in P. except southernmost site. Conversely, S. exhibited complex with within‐reef regional differentiation, line differences their reproductive mode ( is broadcast spawner brooder). Analysis genomic loci under positive selection identified 85 sites (18 which were coding sequences) distinguished from remainder population. By comparison, 128 (24 residing local adaptation at various sites. Functional annotation underlying proteins revealed putative roles response stress, lipid metabolism, transport, cytoskeletal rearrangement, ciliary function (among others). Microbial assemblages both coral species showed pervasive association microalgal symbionts genus Symbiodinium (former clade A) bacteria Endozoicomonas significant according host genotype environment. The disparity even closely related (family Pocilloporidae) highlights multispecies investigations role environment shaping evolutionary trajectories. It further emphasizes importance networks reef reserves achieve variants critical future survival ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Environmental specialization and cryptic genetic divergence in two massive coral species from the Florida Keys Reef Tract

Molecular Ecology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 30(14), С. 3468 - 3484

Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2021

Abstract Broadcast‐spawning coral species have wide geographical ranges spanning strong environmental gradients, but it is unclear how much spatially varying selection these gradients actually impose. Strong divergent might present a considerable barrier for demographic exchange between disparate reef habitats. We investigated whether the cross‐shelf gradient associated with in two common species, Montastraea cavernosa and Siderastrea siderea , Florida Keys. To this end, we generated de novo genome assembly M. used 2bRAD to genotype 20 juveniles adults of both from each three zones identify signatures occurring within single generation. Unexpectedly, was found be composed four genetically distinct lineages, gene flow them still ongoing highly reduced 13.0%–54.7% genome. Each includes sympatric lineages that are only deep (20 m) habitat, while other almost exclusively on shallower reefs (3–10 m). The “shallow” also specialized either nearshore or offshore: comparison adult juvenile cohorts indicates migrants more than twice as likely die before reaching adulthood local recruits. S. among most ecologically successful Keys Reef Tract, work offers important insight into genomic background specialization may part explain their resilience broad range.

Язык: Английский

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Intrapopulation adaptive variance supports thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral

Communications Biology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 5(1)

Опубликована: Май 19, 2022

Abstract Coral holobionts are multi-species assemblages, which adds significant complexity to genotype-phenotype connections underlying ecologically important traits like coral bleaching. Small scale heterogeneity in bleaching is ubiquitous the absence of strong environmental gradients, provides adaptive variance needed for long-term persistence reefs. We used RAD-seq, qPCR and LC-MS/MS metabolomics characterize host genomic variation, symbiont community biochemical correlates two phenotypes vertically transmitting Montipora capitata . Phenotype was driven by symbiosis state genetic variance. documented 5 gene ontologies that were significantly associated with both binary phenotype composition, representing functions confer a via host-symbiont interactions. bred these corals show communities broadly conserved bulk-crosses, resulting higher survivorship under temperature stress juveniles, but not larvae, from tolerant parents. Using select re-sequence approach, we document numerous selected heat stress, some (cell signaling, antioxidant activity, pH regulation) have unique selection dynamics larvae thermally These data may an advantage climate change if interact influence phenotype.

Язык: Английский

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Cryptic diversity and spatial genetic variation in the coral Acropora tenuis and its endosymbionts across the Great Barrier Reef

Evolutionary Applications, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 16(2), С. 293 - 310

Опубликована: Июнь 20, 2022

Genomic studies are uncovering extensive cryptic diversity within reef-building corals, suggesting that evolutionarily and ecologically relevant is highly underestimated in the very organisms structure coral reefs. Furthermore, endosymbiotic algae host species can confer adaptive responses to environmental stress may represent additional axes of genetic variation not constrained by taxonomic divergence cnidarian host. Here, we examine a common widespread, coral, Acropora tenuis, its associated along entire expanse Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We use SNPs derived from genome-wide sequencing characterize organelles zooxanthellate endosymbionts (genus Cladocopium). discover three distinct sympatric clusters hosts, whose distributions appear with latitude inshore-offshore reef position. Demographic modelling suggests history taxa ranges 0.5 1.5 million years ago, preceding GBR's formation, has been characterized low-to-moderate ongoing inter-taxon gene flow, consistent occasional hybridization introgression typifying evolution. Despite this differentiation host, A. tenuis share symbiont pool, dominated genus Cladocopium (Clade C). plastid strongly identity but varies location relative shore: inshore colonies contain lower on average have greater differences between as compared communities offshore colonies. Spatial patterns could reflect local selective pressures maintaining holobiont across an gradient. The strong influence environment (but identity) community composition supports notion responds habitat assist adaptation corals future change.

Язык: Английский

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Pervasive tandem duplications and convergent evolution shape coral genomes

Genome biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 24(1)

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2023

Over the last decade, several coral genomes have been sequenced allowing a better understanding of these symbiotic organisms threatened by climate change. Scleractinian corals are reef builders and central to ecosystems, providing habitat great diversity species.In frame Tara Pacific expedition, we assemble two genomes, Porites lobata Pocillopora cf. effusa, with vastly improved contiguity that allows us study functional organization genomes. We annotate their gene catalog report relatively higher number than found in other public genome sequences, 43,000 32,000 genes, respectively. This finding is explained high tandemly duplicated accounting for almost third predicted genes. show genes originate from multiple distinct duplication events throughout lineage. They contribute amplification families, mostly related immune system disease resistance, which suggest be functionally linked host resilience.At large, importance inform biology reef-building provide novel avenues understand screen differences stress resilience.

Язык: Английский

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