scholarly journals Is embryonic hypothermia tolerance common in birds?

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 20160967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Ming Zhao ◽  
Zhi-Ming Han ◽  
Yue-Hua Sun
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Avian Species ◽  
Coturnix Japonica ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Domestic Species ◽  
Avian Incubation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Incubation Temperatures

Avian incubation temperatures oscillate within narrow limits to ensure proper embryonic development. However, field observations and experimental studies have found that some species can tolerate very low incubation temperatures, either regularly or occasionally. We artificially incubated eggs from five domestic species, which represent a range of egg sizes, to examine whether a diversity of avian species could exhibit an unusual hypothermia tolerance, as observed in the field. We found that eggs of the chicken ( Gallus gallus domesticus ), pigeon ( Columba livia domestica ), Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ) and budgerigar ( Melopsittacus undulatus ) survived the incubation period and hatched after experiencing 10°C hypothermia for 6 h each day. However, embryos of white-rumped munia ( Lonchura striata ) died after 10 days of hypothermia. Our results showed that unusual hypothermia tolerance occurs in several avian species. This phenomenon might have been selected through the evolutionary history of birds. Future research should identify the importance of phylogeny, egg size and embryonic stage in tolerance to hypothermia.

Alcohol and Humans

2019 ◽  
pp. 196-206
Author(s):  
Kimberley J. Hockings ◽  
Robin I.M. Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of

Humans and alcohol have shared a very long history. In this final chapter, we highlight some of the key findings that emerge from the chapters in this book, in particular the evolutionary history of our adaptation to alcohol consumption and the social role that alcohol consumption plays, and has played, in human societies across the world. This raises a major contradiction in the literature, namely the fact that, despite this long history, the medical profession typically views alcohol as destructive. We draw attention to several avenues that would repay future research and how humans’ relationship with alcohol stands to change and evolve.

scholarly journals Adaptations for Pressure and Temperature in Dihydrofolate Reductases

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1706
Author(s):  
Ryan W. Penhallurick ◽  
Maya D. Durnal ◽  
Alliyah Harold ◽  
Toshiko Ichiye
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Bond ◽  
Dihydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Extreme Temperatures ◽  
Dihydrofolate Reductases ◽  
History Of ◽  
Moritella Profunda ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Enzymes from extremophilic microbes that live in extreme conditions are generally adapted so that they function under those conditions, although adaptations for extreme temperatures and pressures can be difficult to unravel. Previous studies have shown mutation of Asp27 in Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) to Glu27 in Moritella profunda (Mp). DHFR enhances activity at higher pressures, although this may be an adaptation for cold. Interestingly, MpDHFR unfolds at ~70 MPa, while Moritella yayanosii (My) was isolated at depths corresponding to ~110 MPa, indicating that MyDHFR might be adapted for higher pressures. Here, these adaptations are examined using molecular dynamics simulations of DHFR from different microbes in the context of not only experimental studies of activity and stability of the protein but also the evolutionary history of the microbe. Results suggest Tyr103 of MyDHFR may be an adaptation for high pressure since Cys103 in helix F of MpDHFR forms an intra-helix hydrogen bond with Ile99 while Tyr103 in helix F of MyDHFR forms a hydrogen bond with Leu78 in helix E. This suggests the hydrogen bond between helices F and E in MyDHFR might prevent distortion at higher pressures.

Cooperation in primates

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Albiach-Serrano
Keyword(s):  
Observational Studies ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Cooperative Behavior ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Methodological Difficulties

Observational studies have suggested that some nonhuman primates’ cooperative behavior may rely on their capacity to share goals and understand the role of their partners. Experimental studies have tried to find evidence for this under controlled conditions, investigating aspects like the degree of organization in different primate species and the individuals’ capacity to recognize and choose good partners, switch roles with them, and care about their outcomes. Often, the results have been mixed. Partly, this is because of the methodological difficulties inherent to empirical research. In this paper, I offer a critical, methodological review of the experimental studies done in the last years on nonhuman primates’ cooperation, I discuss their findings, and suggest possible solutions to some of the procedural problems. Hopefully, this will contribute to improve the design of future studies and therefore our knowledge about the evolutionary history of cooperation.

Gastropod Evolutionary History

1985 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 157-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip W. Signor
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ecological Diversity ◽  
Prospective Students ◽  
Ecological Diversification ◽  
History Of ◽  
Evolutionary Success ◽  
Fossil Gastropods

If taxonomic richness or ecological diversity defines evolutionary success, then the gastropods must be placed among the most successful clades of all time. Today, the gastropods are the most speciose class of fossilizable marine invertebrates. They have a rich fossil record extending nearly to the base of the Phanerozoic, documenting an almost uninterrupted taxonomic and ecological diversification (Figure 1). Yet the snails have been often overlooked as a focus of evolutionary or paleoecological study. Classic evolutionary studies of gastropods, for example Fisher et al.'s (1964) study of Athleta or Gould's (1969) work on Poecilozonites, indicate no inherent deficiencies in the taxon and suggest a simple lack of attention. The purpose of this paper is to summarize some of the major features of the history of gastropod evolution, to review problems in the analysis of fossil gastropods, and to reiterate some long-standing questions about the evolution and relationships of ancient snails. The goal is not only to provide a useful guide for non-specialists facing the prospect of lecturing on the beasts, but also to direct prospective students to problems perhaps worthy of their future research effort.

Evolution of Plant NLRs: From Natural History to Precise Modifications

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 355-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Tamborski ◽  
Ksenia V. Krasileva
Keyword(s):  
Small Rnas ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Functional Specialization ◽  
Leucine Rich Repeat ◽  
Plant Immune System ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Common ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
Shed Light

Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) monitor the plant intracellular environment for signs of pathogen infection. Several mechanisms of NLR-mediated immunity arose independently across multiple species. These include the functional specialization of NLRs into sensors and helpers, the independent emergence of direct and indirect recognition within NLR subfamilies, the regulation of NLRs by small RNAs, and the formation of NLR networks. Understanding the evolutionary history of NLRs can shed light on both the origin of pathogen recognition and the common constraints on the plant immune system. Attempts to engineer disease resistance have been sparse and rarely informed by evolutionary knowledge. In this review, we discuss the evolution of NLRs, give an overview of previous engineering attempts, and propose how to use evolutionary knowledge to advance future research in the generation of novel disease-recognition capabilities.

scholarly journals Urbilaterian origin and evolution of sNPF-type neuropeptide signalling

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Alfonso Yañez-Guerra ◽  
Xingxing Zhong ◽  
Ismail Moghul ◽  
Thomas Butts ◽  
Cleidiane G. Zampronio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Peptide Ligands ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
History Of ◽  
Type Receptor ◽  
Signalling Systems

AbstractPhysiology and behaviour are controlled by neuropeptide signalling systems comprising peptide ligands and cognate receptors. Molecular phylogenetics combined with experimental identification of neuropeptide-receptor pairs has revealed that many neuropeptide signalling systems originated in the urbilaterian common ancestor of protostomes and deuterostomes. Neuropeptide-Y/neuropeptide-F (NPY/NPF)-type signalling is one such example, whereas NPY/NPF-related short-NPF (sNPF)-type signalling has hitherto only been identified in protostomes. Here we report the discovery of a neuropeptide (pQDRSKAMQAERTGQLRRLNPRF-NH2) that is the ligand for an sNPF-type receptor in a deuterostome, the starfish Asterias rubens (Phylum Echinodermata). Informed by phylogenetic analysis of sequence data, we conclude that the paralogous NPY/NPF-type and sNPF-type signalling systems originated in Urbilateria but NPY/NPF-type signalling was lost in echinoderms. Furthermore, we present evidence that sNPF-type peptides are orthologs of vertebrate prolactin-releasing peptides. Our findings demonstrate the importance of experimental studies on echinoderms for reconstructing the evolutionary history of neuropeptide signalling systems.

scholarly journals The essential genome of the crenarchaeal model Sulfolobus islandicus

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changyi Zhang ◽  
Alex P. R. Phillips ◽  
Rebecca L. Wipfler ◽  
Gary J. Olsen ◽  
Rachel J. Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Essential Genes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sulfolobus Islandicus ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
History Of ◽  
Gene Knockouts

AbstractSulfolobus islandicus is a model experimental system in the TACK superphylum of the Archaea, a key lineage in the evolutionary history of cell biology. Here we report a genome-wide identification of the repertoire of genes essential to S. islandicus growth in culture. We confirm previous targeted gene knockouts, uncover the non-essentiality of functions assumed to be essential to the Sulfolobus cell, including the proteinaceous S-layer, and highlight key essential genes whose functions are yet to be determined. Phyletic distributions illustrate the potential transitions that have occurred during the evolution of this contemporary archaeal cell and highlight the sets of genes that may have been associated with each transition. We use this comparative context as a lens to focus future research on archaea-specific uncharacterized essential genes for which future functional data would provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of the contemporary cell.

scholarly journals Chemical communication and ecology in Eupnoi harvestmen

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Escalante
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Communication ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
Chemical Signals ◽  
Chemical Defenses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Alarm Signals ◽  
History Of

Communication via chemical signals and cues is a widespread modality in animals. Producing, transmitting, receiving and processing chemical compounds impose important challenges. Nonetheless, certain arthropods rely almost exclusively on this channel for intra- and inter-specific communication. Through a preliminary literature review, I summarize here the morphological, behavioral and evolutionary implications of chemical communication in harvestmen (the arachnid order Opiliones), with particular emphasis in one group: the Eupnoi or “Daddy Long-legs”. This group has a unique secretory gland that opens in an ozopore in their dorsum. While relying mostly on short-range olfaction and contact chemoreception using different setae, some harvestmen are known to use chemicals in defense, alarm, spatial marking, recruitment, or reproduction. I then propose future research direction on the mechanisms of production and the evolutionary history of these traits. Specific questions can include (1) are chemical signals used as alarm pheromones in Eupnoi aggregations? (2) Do harvestmen rely on chemicals to mark their traditional roosting sites? If so, what are the chemicals involved and how do those differ from the ones used as alarm signals? Also, (3) what are the specific functions of the chemical communication during in female-male communication and multi-specific roosting aggregations? And (4) to what extent the use of chemical defenses imposes a trade-off with other defense mechanisms such as ‘playing dead’ or voluntarily releasing legs. Overall, these harvestmen provide a unique opportunity to test comprehensive and interdisciplinary hypotheses to understand the evolution of chemical communication, as well as the importance of chemical ecology on species diversification in arthropods.

scholarly journals Evolutionary history of mammalian UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1 and UGT2 families: the emergence of UGT2B subfamily in eutherians after the diversification of flowering plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke K. Kawai ◽  
Kasumi Sano ◽  
Yoshinori Ikenaka ◽  
Shouta M.M. Nakayama ◽  
Mitsuki Kondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Xenobiotic Metabolism ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Number Of Genes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Udp Glucuronosyltransferase ◽  
Cretaceous Period

AbstractThe UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) gene family is responsible for the transfer of glucuronic acid to exogenous and endogenous chemicals. Based on the highly diversified number of genes, the mammalian UGT1A and UGT2B subfamily genes are believed to be involved in the conjugation reactions of xenobiotic metabolism. However, it is speculated that the UGT2 family genes are not involved in the xenobiotic metabolism of avian species due to the less diverse number of genes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the evolutionary history of mammalian UGT1 and UGT2 family genes and determine when the diversification of UGT2B genes occurred. We also attempted to identify the main factors responsible for the diversification of UGT genes. By examining the genomic information and feeding habits of 67 species representing each mammalian family, we discovered that the UGT2B genes emerged in the Eutheria on or after Cretaceous period and that their number were higher in plant-eating mammals (herbivore or omnivore) than in carnivorous mammals. We also found that the UGT2B genes in some herbivorous mammals underwent positive selection. In contrast, the diversity of the UGT1 family genes was inherited from the common ancestor of birds and mammals. Thus, our findings suggest that the emergence of angiosperms (flowering plants) and the occurrence of “animal–plant warfare” influenced the evolution of this gene family involved in the xenobiotic metabolism of eutherians. Furthermore, future research investigating the marsupials and birds that do not possess UGT2B genes is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the metabolism of chemical substances in these species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document