Phenotypic traits of individuals in a long-term colony of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis (Diptera: Culicidae) show variable susceptibility to Plasmodium and suggest cryptic speciation

Acta Tropica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 224 ◽  
pp. 106129
Author(s):  
Nilton Barnabé Rodrigues ◽  
Luís Eduardo Martinez Villegas ◽  
Ana Paula Marques Duarte ◽  
Alessandra Silva Orfanó ◽  
Breno dos Anjos Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Cryptic Speciation ◽  
Variable Susceptibility

scholarly journals Functional and evolutionary trade-offs co-occur between two consolidated memory phases in Drosophila melanogaster

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1744) ◽  
pp. 4015-4023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Lagasse ◽  
Celine Moreno ◽  
Thomas Preat ◽  
Frederic Mery
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Memory Phase ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Benefits And Costs

Memory is a complex and dynamic process that is composed of different phases. Its evolution under natural selection probably depends on a balance between fitness benefits and costs. In Drosophila , two separate forms of consolidated memory phases can be generated experimentally: anaesthesia-resistant memory (ARM) and long-term memory (LTM). In recent years, several studies have focused on the differences between these long-lasting memory types and have found that, at the functional level, ARM and LTM are antagonistic. How this functional relationship will affect their evolutionary dynamics remains unknown. We selected for flies with either improved ARM or improved LTM over several generations, and found that flies selected specifically for improvement of one consolidated memory phase show reduced performance in the other memory phase. We also found that improved LTM was linked to decreased longevity in male flies but not in females. Conversely, males with improved ARM had increased longevity. We found no correlation between either improved ARM or LTM and other phenotypic traits. This is, to our knowledge, the first evidence of a symmetrical evolutionary trade-off between two memory phases for the same learning task. Such trade-offs may have an important impact on the evolution of cognitive capacities. On a neural level, these results support the hypothesis that mechanisms underlying these forms of consolidated memory are, to some degree, antagonistic.

scholarly journals Variance component analysis of body mass in a wild population of deer (Odocoileus virginianus): results from two decades of research

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Webb ◽  
Kenneth L. Gee ◽  
Randy W. DeYoung ◽  
Seth M. Harju
Keyword(s):  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Components Of Variance ◽  
Habitat Improvement ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Sources Of Variation

Context Long-term studies of large, vertebrate mammals using capture–recapture data are scarce, even though long-term ecological studies are requisite to understanding quantitative genetics and evolutionary processes that can be applied as part of management programs. Aims Objectives were to (1) partition components of variation in body mass to understand the differential effects of environmental variation on the sexes during ontogeny, to better prescribe habitat-improvement projects, and (2) estimate repeatability to assess potential for selection on body mass. Methods We used a 23-year dataset (1983–2005) of capture–recapture records of wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to estimate components of variance and repeatability of body mass. We used an animal-model approach that employed the use of general linear mixed models and restricted maximum likelihood to adjust for the effects of age (i.e. fixed effect), and to partition the total phenotypic variance into among-individual (i.e. the deer), permanent environmental (i.e. year of birth) and temporary environmental (i.e. year of measurement and residual) effects (all modelled as random effects). Key results We found that body mass increased with age in both sexes, repeatability of body mass was 0.595 for females and 0.716 for males, and among-individual variation was more influential on body mass than were permanent and temporary environmental effects combined. Year of birth was more important in males than females, but changed during the course of ontogeny for both sexes. Year of measurement did not influence post-rut body mass in males, but did contribute to variation in body mass of females. Conclusions These long-term data offer insights into the sources of variation that influence body mass of deer, which can be used to understand how environmental sources of variation influence phenotypic traits, and for developing management plans and making selection decisions. Implications Knowledge of repeatability (as an upper limit to heritability) can be used to make management decisions related to selection, culling and breeding, whereas understanding environmental effects can lead to better management recommendations (e.g. habitat-improvement projects).

scholarly journals Analysis of Differences in Gene Expression Associated with Variation in Biomass Composition in Sugarcane

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Virginie Perlo ◽  
Agnelo Furtado ◽  
Frikkie Botha ◽  
Robert Henry
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Biomass Composition ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Food Industries ◽  
Measurement And Analysis ◽  
Analysis Workflow ◽  
Relevant Explanation ◽  
Profiling Analysis ◽  
Second Generation Ethanol

Sugarcane has a high potential to support second-generation ethanol production and environmentally friendly by-products for use in chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic and food industries. A crucial challenge for a long-term economic viability is to optimise the crop for production of a biomass composition that will ensure maximum economic benefit. Transcriptome data analysis provides a relevant explanation of phenotypic variances and gives a more accurate prediction of phenotypes than genomic information. This multi-omic approach, with an integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis may reveal details of biological mechanisms and pathways. A global view of transcriptional regulation and the identification differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites may help the feasibility of tailoring engineering targeted biosynthetic pathways to improve the production of these bio-products from sugarcane. We propose a profiling analysis workflow (pipeline) to generate empirical correlations between gene expression, metabolites, proteins and phenotypic traits and pathway analysis, with a highlight focus on data visualisation. This study of genetic variation in gene expression and correlations with metabolic and protein phenotype relies on high-throughput methodology, measurement and analysis of 360 samples, 24 commercial sugarcane cultivars with different phenotypic characteristics at 5 different development stages with 3 replicates.

scholarly journals Non-Toxin-Producing Bacillus cereus Strains Belonging to the B. anthracis Clade Isolated from the International Space Station

mSystems ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasthuri Venkateswaran ◽  
Nitin K. Singh ◽  
Aleksandra Checinska Sielaff ◽  
Robert K. Pope ◽  
Nicholas H. Bergman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Community Analysis ◽  
Microbial Community Analysis ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
International Space ◽  
Microbial Population Dynamics

ABSTRACT The International Space Station Microbial Observatory (Microbial Tracking-1) study is generating a microbial census of the space station’s surfaces and atmosphere by using advanced molecular microbial community analysis techniques supported by traditional culture-based methods and modern bioinformatic computational modeling. This approach will lead to long-term, multigenerational studies of microbial population dynamics in a closed environment and address key questions, including whether microgravity influences the evolution and genetic modification of microorganisms. The spore-forming Bacillus cereus sensu lato group consists of pathogenic (B. anthracis), food poisoning (B. cereus), and biotechnologically useful (B. thuringiensis) microorganisms; their presence in a closed system such as the ISS might be a concern for the health of crew members. A detailed characterization of these potential pathogens would lead to the development of suitable countermeasures that are needed for long-term future missions and a better understanding of microorganisms associated with space missions. In an ongoing Microbial Observatory investigation of the International Space Station (ISS), 11 Bacillus strains (2 from the Kibo Japanese experimental module, 4 from the U.S. segment, and 5 from the Russian module) were isolated and their whole genomes were sequenced. A comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of these isolates showed the highest similarity (>99%) to the Bacillus anthracis-B. cereus-B. thuringiensis group. The fatty acid composition, polar lipid profile, peptidoglycan type, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight profiles were consistent with the B. cereus sensu lato group. The phenotypic traits such as motile rods, enterotoxin production, lack of capsule, and resistance to gamma phage/penicillin observed in ISS isolates were not characteristics of B. anthracis. Whole-genome sequence characterizations showed that ISS strains had the plcR non-B. anthracis ancestral “C” allele and lacked anthrax toxin-encoding plasmids pXO1 and pXO2, excluding their identification as B. anthracis. The genetic identities of all 11 ISS isolates characterized via gyrB analyses arbitrarily identified them as members of the B. cereus group, but traditional DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) showed that the ISS isolates are similar to B. anthracis (88% to 90%) but distant from the B. cereus (42%) and B. thuringiensis (48%) type strains. The DDH results were supported by average nucleotide identity (>98.5%) and digital DDH (>86%) analyses. However, the collective phenotypic traits and genomic evidence were the reasons to exclude the ISS isolates from B. anthracis. Nevertheless, multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism analyses placed these isolates in a clade that is distinct from previously described members of the B. cereus sensu lato group but closely related to B. anthracis. IMPORTANCE The International Space Station Microbial Observatory (Microbial Tracking-1) study is generating a microbial census of the space station’s surfaces and atmosphere by using advanced molecular microbial community analysis techniques supported by traditional culture-based methods and modern bioinformatic computational modeling. This approach will lead to long-term, multigenerational studies of microbial population dynamics in a closed environment and address key questions, including whether microgravity influences the evolution and genetic modification of microorganisms. The spore-forming Bacillus cereus sensu lato group consists of pathogenic (B. anthracis), food poisoning (B. cereus), and biotechnologically useful (B. thuringiensis) microorganisms; their presence in a closed system such as the ISS might be a concern for the health of crew members. A detailed characterization of these potential pathogens would lead to the development of suitable countermeasures that are needed for long-term future missions and a better understanding of microorganisms associated with space missions.

scholarly journals A guide to using a multiple-matrix animal model to disentangle genetic and nongenetic causes of phenotypic variance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline E. Thomson ◽  
Isabel S. Winney ◽  
Oceane C. Salles ◽  
Benoit Pujol
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Additive Genetic Variance ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Recent Developments

AbstractNon-genetic influences on phenotypic traits can affect our interpretation of genetic variance and the evolutionary potential of populations to respond to selection, with consequences for our ability to predict the outcomes of selection. Long-term population surveys and experiments have shown that quantitative genetic estimates are influenced by nongenetic effects, including shared environmental effects, epigenetic effects, and social interactions. Recent developments to the “animal model” of quantitative genetics can now allow us to calculate precise individual-based measures of non-genetic phenotypic variance. These models can be applied to a much broader range of contexts and data types than used previously, with the potential to greatly expand our understanding of nongenetic effects on evolutionary potential. Here, we provide the first practical guide for researchers interested in distinguishing between genetic and nongenetic causes of phenotypic variation in the animal model. The methods use matrices describing individual similarity in nongenetic effects, analogous to the additive genetic relatedness matrix. In a simulation of various phenotypic traits, accounting for environmental, epigenetic, or cultural resemblance between individuals reduced estimates of additive genetic variance, changing the interpretation of evolutionary potential. These variances were estimable for both direct and parental nongenetic variances. Our tutorial outlines an easy way to account for these effects in both wild and experimental populations. These models have the potential to add to our understanding of the effects of genetic and nongenetic effects on evolutionary potential. This should be of interest both to those studying heritability, and those who wish to understand nongenetic variance.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates co-incubated with Acanthamoeba castellanii exhibit phenotypes similar to chronic cystic fibrosis isolates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Leong ◽  
Carla Lutz ◽  
Jonathan Williams ◽  
Yan Hong Poh ◽  
Benny Yeo Ken Yee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Human Neutrophils ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Chronic Infections

AbstractThe opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is ubiquitous in the environment, and in humans is capable of causing acute and chronic infections. P. aeruginosa, when co-incubated with the bacterivorous amoeba, Acanthamoeba castellanii, for extended periods, produced genetic and phenotypic variants. Sequencing of late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrated single nucleotide polymorphisms within genes that encode known virulence factors, and this correlated with a reduction in expression of virulence traits. Virulence towards the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, was attenuated in late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa compared to early stage amoeba-adapted and non-adapted counterparts. Late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa lost competitive fitness compared to non-adapted counterparts when grown in nutrient rich media. However, non-adapted P. aeruginosa were rapidly cleared by amoeba predation, whereas late-stage amoeba-adapted isolates remained in higher numbers 24 h after ingestion by amoeba. In addition, there was reduced uptake by macrophage of amoeba-adapted isolates and reduced uptake by human neutrophils as well as increased survival in the presence of neutrophils. Our findings indicate that the selection imposed by amoeba on P. aeruginosa resulted in reduced virulence over time. Importantly, the genetic and phenotypic traits possessed by late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa are similar to what is observed for isolates obtained from chronic cystic fibrosis infections. This notable overlap in adaptation to different host types suggests similar selection pressures among host cell types.Author SummaryPseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes both acute infections in plants and animals, including humans and also causes chronic infections in immune compromised and cystic fibrosis patients. This bacterium is commonly found in soils and water where bacteria are constantly under threat of being consumed by the bacterial predators, protozoa. To escape being killed, bacteria have evolved a suite of mechanisms that protect them from being consumed or digested. Here we examined the effect of long-term predation on the genotype and phenotypes expressed by P. aeruginosa. We show that long-term co-incubation with protozoa resulted in mutations in the bacteria that made them less pathogenic. This is particularly interesting as we see similar mutations arise in bacteria associated with chronic infections. Thus, predation by protozoa and long term colonization of the human host may represent similar environments that select for similar losses in gene functions.

scholarly journals Adaptation to an amoeba host leads to Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates with attenuated virulence

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Leong ◽  
Wee Han Poh ◽  
Jonathan Williams ◽  
Carla Lutz ◽  
M. Mozammel Hoque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
The Impact

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa , is ubiquitous in the environment, and in humans is capable of causing acute or chronic infections. In the natural environment, predation by bacterivorous protozoa represents a primary threat to bacteria. Here, we determined the impact of long-term exposure of P. aeruginosa to predation pressure. P. aeruginosa persisted when co-incubated with the bacterivorous Acanthamoeba castellanii for extended periods and produced genetic and phenotypic variants. Sequencing of late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrated single nucleotide polymorphisms within genes that encode known virulence factors and this correlated with a reduction in expression of virulence traits. Virulence towards the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans , was attenuated in late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa compared to early-stage amoeba-adapted and non-adapted counterparts. Further, late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa showed increased competitive fitness and enhanced survival in amoeba as well as in macrophage and neutrophils. Interestingly, our findings indicate that the selection imposed by amoeba resulted in P. aeruginosa isolates with reduced virulence and enhanced fitness, similar to those recovered from chronic cystic fibrosis infections. Thus, predation by protozoa and long-term colonization of the human host may represent similar environments that select for similar losses of gene function. Importance Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes both acute infections in plants and animals, including humans, and chronic infections in immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients. This bacterium is commonly found in soils and water where bacteria are constantly under threat of being consumed by bacterial predators, e.g. protozoa. To escape being killed, bacteria have evolved a suite of mechanisms that protect them from being consumed or digested. Here, we examine the effect of long-term predation on the genotypes and phenotypes expressed by P. aeruginosa . We show that long term co-incubation with protozoa resulted in mutations that resulted in P. aeruginosa becoming less pathogenic. This is particularly interesting as we see similar mutations arise in bacteria associated with chronic infections. Importantly, the genetic and phenotypic traits possessed by late-stage amoeba-adapted P. aeruginosa are similar to what is observed for isolates obtained from chronic cystic fibrosis infections. This notable overlap in adaptation to different host types suggests similar selection pressures amongst host cell types as well as similar adaptation strategies.

scholarly journals Updating salamander datasets with phenotypic and stomach content information for two mainland Speleomantes

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Lunghi ◽  
Fabio Cianferoni ◽  
Simone Giachello ◽  
Yahui Zhao ◽  
Raoul Manenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Large Dataset ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Plethodontid Salamanders ◽  
Content Information ◽  
Term Monitoring ◽  
Long Term Studies

AbstractEuropean plethodontid salamanders (genus Speleomantes; formerly Hydromantes) are a group of eight strictly protected amphibian species which are sensitive to human-induced environmental changes. Long-term monitoring is highly recommended to evaluate their status and to assess potential threats. Here we used two low-impact methodologies to build up a large dataset on two mainland Speleomantes species (S. strinatii and S. ambrosii), which represents an update to two previously published datasets, but also includes several new populations. Specifically, we provide a set of 851 high quality images and a table gathering stomach contents recognized from 560 salamanders. This dataset offers the opportunity to analyse phenotypic traits and stomach contents of eight populations belonging to two Speleomantes species. Furthermore, the data collection performed over different periods allows to expand the potential analyses through a wide temporal scale, allowing long-term studies.

scholarly journals Differences in survival and phenotypic traits of curly birch preserved by heterovegetative propagation: a case study from Central-East Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Sarvašová ◽  
Róbert Sedmák ◽  
Denisa Sedmáková ◽  
Ivan Lukáčik
Keyword(s):  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Stem Growth ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Wood Structure ◽  
Growth Forms ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Commercial Potential ◽  
Long Term Study

AbstractCurly birch (Betula pendula Roth. var. carelica [Merklin] Hämet-Ahti) is a disappearing representative of the Betula genus facing a regeneration failure in a large part of its natural distribution in Europe. The unique long-term study of clonal replications originating in heterogeneous environments enabled the evaluation of long-term survival and phenotypic stability of progenies in seed orchard to assess the conservation and commercial potential of heterovegetative propagation. Seventy-eight geographic sources (95 clone origins) representing the south distribution edge in East-Central Europe were analysed for species variation in survival, growth form, bark colour, and stem quality of parent trees and their vegetative progeny, and the effects of four parental site origin characteristics. The survival rate was 73% after 28–33 years of growth. Retention of curly-grained wood was high, the curly-grained wood structure is heritable and thus clonally efficiently achievable (only 3.5% of grafted individuals showed no occurrence of figured wood structure). The phenotypic expression of curliness manifested on the trunks as bulges, stem growth forms (tree/shrub) and stem technical quality showed a lower degree of stability (coincidence) between the parent trees and heterovegatively propagated progenies. Despite this, the conservation potential of seed orchard is very high, especially when stabilization of the stem growth forms affecting the survival and commercial value of progenies can be probably achieved by a more careful selection of scions. Overall, heterovegetative orchards seem to be a very promising method for the long-term conservation of curly birch populations, which, in addition to their great biological and ecological value, have considerable commercial potential.

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