scholarly journals Population Specific Adaptations in Venom Production to Abiotic Stressors in a Widely Distributed Cnidarian

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Y. Sachkova ◽  
Jason Macrander ◽  
Joachim M. Surm ◽  
Reuven Aharoni ◽  
Shelcie S. Menard-Harvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Nematostella Vectensis ◽  
Latitudinal Cline ◽  
Downregulated Gene ◽  
Abiotic Stressors ◽  
Antagonistic Interactions

AbstractNematostella vectensis is a sea anemone (Actiniaria, Cnidaria) inhabiting estuaries over a broad geographic range where environmental conditions such as temperatures and salinity vary widely. In cnidarians, antagonistic interactions with predators and prey are mediated by their venom, which may be metabolically expensive. In this study, we challenged Nematostella polyps with heat, salinity, UV light stressors and a combination of all three to determine how abiotic stressors impact toxin expression for individuals collected across this species’ range. Transcriptomics and proteomics revealed that the highly abundant toxin Nv1 was the most downregulated gene under heat stress conditions in multiple populations. Physiological measurements demonstrated that venom is metabolically costly to produce suggesting that downregulating venom expression under stressful conditions may be advantageous. Strikingly, under a range of abiotic stressors, individuals from different geographic locations along this latitudinal cline modulate venom production levels differently in a pattern reflecting local adaptation.

scholarly journals Some like it hot: population-specific adaptations in venom production to abiotic stressors in a widely distributed cnidarian

BMC Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Y. Sachkova ◽  
Jason Macrander ◽  
Joachim M. Surm ◽  
Reuven Aharoni ◽  
Shelcie S. Menard-Harvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uv Light ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Nematostella Vectensis ◽  
Latitudinal Cline ◽  
Abiotic Conditions ◽  
Abiotic Stressors ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Antagonistic Interactions

Abstract Background In cnidarians, antagonistic interactions with predators and prey are mediated by their venom, whose synthesis may be metabolically expensive. The potentially high cost of venom production has been hypothesized to drive population-specific variation in venom expression due to differences in abiotic conditions. However, the effects of environmental factors on venom production have been rarely demonstrated in animals. Here, we explore the impact of specific abiotic stresses on venom production of distinct populations of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis (Actiniaria, Cnidaria) inhabiting estuaries over a broad geographic range where environmental conditions such as temperatures and salinity vary widely. Results We challenged Nematostella polyps with heat, salinity, UV light stressors, and a combination of all three factors to determine how abiotic stressors impact toxin expression for individuals collected across this species’ range. Transcriptomics and proteomics revealed that the highly abundant toxin Nv1 was the most downregulated gene under heat stress conditions in multiple populations. Physiological measurements demonstrated that venom is metabolically costly to produce. Strikingly, under a range of abiotic stressors, individuals from different geographic locations along this latitudinal cline modulate differently their venom production levels. Conclusions We demonstrate that abiotic stress results in venom regulation in Nematostella. Together with anecdotal observations from other cnidarian species, our results suggest this might be a universal phenomenon in Cnidaria. The decrease in venom production under stress conditions across species coupled with the evidence for its high metabolic cost in Nematostella suggests downregulation of venom production under certain conditions may be highly advantageous and adaptive. Furthermore, our results point towards local adaptation of this mechanism in Nematostella populations along a latitudinal cline, possibly resulting from distinct genetics and significant environmental differences between their habitats.

scholarly journals A comprehensive genome-wide scan detects genomic regions related to local adaptation and climate resilience in Mediterranean domestic sheep

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Tsartsianidou ◽  
Enrique Sánchez-Molano ◽  
Vanessa Varvara Kapsona ◽  
Zoitsa Basdagianni ◽  
Dimitrios Chatziplis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Domestic Sheep ◽  
Chromosome 5 ◽  
Receptor Complexes ◽  
Genome Wide

Abstract Background The management of farm animal genetic resources and the adaptation of animals to climate change will probably have major effects on the long-term sustainability of the livestock sector. Genomic data harbour useful relevant information that needs to be harnessed for effectively managing genetic resources. In this paper, we report the genome characterization of the highly productive Mediterranean Chios dairy sheep and focus on genetic diversity measures related with local adaptation and selection and the genetic architecture of animal resilience to weather fluctuations as a novel adaptative trait linked to climate change. Results We detected runs of homozygosity (ROH) and heterozygosity (ROHet) that revealed multiple highly homozygous and heterozygous hotspots across the Chios sheep genome. A particularly highly homozygous region was identified on chromosome 13 as a candidate of directional genetic selection associated with milk traits, which includes annotated genes that were previously shown to be linked to local adaptation to harsh environmental conditions. Favourable heterozygosity related with a potentially protective role against livestock diseases and enhanced overall fitness was revealed in heterozygous-rich regions on sheep chromosomes 3, 10, 13 and 19. Furthermore, genomic analyses were conducted on sheep resilience phenotypes that display changes in milk production in response to weather variation. Sheep resilience to heat stress was a significantly heritable trait (h2 = 0.26) and genetically antagonistic to milk production. Genome-wide association and regional heritability mapping analyses revealed novel genomic markers and regions on chromosome 5 that were significantly associated with sheep resilience to climate change. Subsequently, an annotation analysis detected a set of genes on chromosome 5 that were associated with olfactory receptor complexes that could participate in heat stress mitigation through changes in respiration rate and respiratory evaporation. Other genes were grouped in previously reported biological processes relevant to livestock heat dissipation, including stress and immune response. Conclusions Our results may contribute to the optimal management of sheep genetic resources and inform modern selective breeding programmes that aim at mitigating future environmental challenges towards sustainable farming, while better balancing animal adaptation and productivity. Our results are directly relevant to the studied breed and the respective environmental conditions; however, the methodology may be extended to other livestock species of interest.

Expression of candidate genes for residual feed intake in tropically adapted Bos taurus and Bos indicus bulls under thermoneutral and heat stress environmental conditions

2021 ◽  
pp. 102998
Author(s):  
Bianca Vilela Pires ◽  
Nedenia Bonvino Stafuzza ◽  
Luara Afonso de Freitas ◽  
Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante ◽  
Ester Silveira Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Residual Feed Intake

Wetting and the physiological responses of grain-fed cattle in a heated environment

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Gaughan ◽  
M. Shane Davis ◽  
Terry L. Mader
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Metabolic Responses ◽  
Hot Days ◽  
Carry Over

A controlled crossover experimental design was used to determine the effect of altered water sprinkling duration on heifers subjected to heat stress conditions. Heifers were subjected to 3 days of thermoneutral conditions followed by 3 days of hot conditions accompanied by water sprinkling between 1300 and 1500 h (HOT1–3). Then on the following 2 days (HOT4–5), environmental conditions remained similar, but 3 heifers were sprinkled between 1200 and 1600 h (WET) and 3 were not sprinkled (NONWET). This was followed by a 1-day period (HOT6) in which environmental conditions and sprinkling regimen were similar to HOT1–3. Rectal temperature (RT) was collected hourly, and respiration rate (RR) was monitored every 2 h on HOT Days 2, 4, 5, and 6. Dry matter intake and rate of eating were also determined. Sprinkling reduced RR and RT (P < 0.01) of all heifers during HOT1–3. During HOT4–5, WET heifers had lower (P < 0.05) RT than NONWET from 1300 to 700 h and lower RR from 1400 to 2000 h. Dry matter intake of NONWET heifers was reduced by 30.6% (P < 0.05) during HOT4–5 and by 51.2% on HOT6. On HOT4–5 the dry matter intakes of WET heifers were similar to intakes under thermoneutral conditions. During HOT6, RT was again reduced following sprinkling in all heifers. Comparison of RT and RR of NONWET and WET heifers on HOT1–3 v. HOT6 revealed that under similar environmental conditions, NONWET heifers had increased RT, partially due to carry-over from HOT4–5. However, NONWET heifers had 40% lower feed intake but tended to have lower RR on HOT6 v. HOT1–3. Only RR of WET heifers was greater on HOT6, possibly a result of switching from a 4-h back to a 2-h sprinkling period, while maintaining a 62% greater intake (5.80 v. 3.58 kg/day) than NONWET heifers during this time. Results suggest that inconsistent cooling regimens may increase the susceptibility of cattle to heat stress and elicit different physiological and metabolic responses.

Starlet Sea Anemone (Nematostella vectensis) 2021 Environmental Summary, Reptile & Aquatics, Stowers Institute for Medical Research v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane C. Miller ◽  
Diana P Baumann ◽  
M. Shane Merryman
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Medical Research ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Sea Anemone ◽  
Nematostella Vectensis ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Impact Research

The starlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis) is an emerging model organism, and we have maintained a colony at the Stowers Institute since 2007. Nematostella are known as a simple sea anemone, related to other cnidarians such as jellyfish and corals. Native to estuarine environments across the Atlantic coast of North America, from Novia Scotia to Florida, they encounter a variety of environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, salinity). Acknowledging that husbandry conditions and environmental parameters can impact research results we provide information about the housing, nutrition, maintenance, and health for our colony of Nematostella. This information will be applicable to any Nematostella housed in the facility in 2021.

scholarly journals The role of environment, local adaptation and past climate fluctuation on the amount and distribution of genetic diversity in the teosinte in Mexico

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Gasca-Pineda ◽  
Yocelyn T. Gutiérrez-Guerrero ◽  
Erika Aguirre-Planter ◽  
Luis E. Eguiarte
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Genetic Structure ◽  
Nuclear Microsatellite ◽  
Genetic Clusters ◽  
Assignment Analysis ◽  
Climate Fluctuation

AbstractWild maize, commonly known as teosinte, has a wide distribution in central Mexico and inhabits a wide range of environmental conditions. According to previous studies, the environment is a determinant factor for the amount and distribution of genetic diversity. In this study, we used a set of neutral markers to explore the influence of contemporary factors and historical environmental shifts on genetic diversity, including present and three historical periods. Using a set of 22 nuclear microsatellite loci, we genotyped 527 individuals from 29 localities. We found highly variable levels of genetic diversity (Z. m. parviglumis HE= 0.3646–0.7699; Z. m. mexicana HE= 0.5885–0.7671) and significant genetic structure among localities (average DEST= 0.4332). Also, we recovered significant values of heterozygote deficiency (average FIS= 0.1796) and variable levels of selfing (sg2=0.0–0.3090). The Bayesian assignment analysis yielded four genetic clusters dividing the sample into subspecies, that in turn, were separated into two clusters. Environmental conditions played a strong influence in the distribution of genetic diversity, as demographic analysis and changes in species range revealed by modeling analyses were consistent. We conclude that current genetic diversity in teosinte is the result of a mixture of local adaptation and genetic isolation along with historical environmental fluctuations.

Allele-Specific Expression and Evolution of Gene Regulation Underlying Acute Heat Stress Response and Local Adaptation in the Copepod Tigriopus californicus

2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 539-547
Author(s):  
Sumaetee Tangwancharoen ◽  
Brice X Semmens ◽  
Ronald S Burton
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
F1 Hybrids ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Heat Stress Response ◽  
Acute Heat Stress ◽  
Number Of Genes ◽  
Allele Specific

Abstract Geographic variation in environmental temperature can select for local adaptation among conspecific populations. Divergence in gene expression across the transcriptome is a key mechanism for evolution of local thermal adaptation in many systems, yet the genetic mechanisms underlying this regulatory evolution remain poorly understood. Here we examine gene expression in 2 locally adapted Tigriopus californicus populations (heat tolerant San Diego, SD, and less tolerant Santa Cruz, SC) and their F1 hybrids during acute heat stress response. Allele-specific expression (ASE) in F1 hybrids was used to determine cis-regulatory divergence. We found that the number of genes showing significant allelic imbalance increased under heat stress compared to unstressed controls. This suggests that there is significant population divergence in cis-regulatory elements underlying heat stress response. Specifically, the number of genes showing an excess of transcripts from the more thermal tolerant (SD) population increased with heat stress while that number of genes with an SC excess was similar in both treatments. Inheritance patterns of gene expression also revealed that genes displaying SD-dominant expression phenotypes increase in number in response to heat stress; that is, across loci, gene expression in F1’s following heat stress showed more similarity to SD than SC, a pattern that was absent in the control treatment. The observed patterns of ASE and inheritance of gene expression provide insight into the complex processes underlying local adaptation and thermal stress response.

scholarly journals Trait dimensionality explains widespread variation in local adaptation

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1802) ◽  
pp. 20141570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailene MacPherson ◽  
Paul A. Hohenlohe ◽  
Scott L. Nuismer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Reciprocal Transplant ◽  
Population Growth Rates ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

All species are locked in a continual struggle to adapt to local ecological conditions. In cases where species fail to locally adapt, they face reduced population growth rates, or even local extinction. Traditional explanations for limited local adaptation focus on maladaptive gene flow or homogeneous environmental conditions. These classical explanations have, however, failed to explain variation in the magnitude of local adaptation observed across taxa. Here we show that variable levels of local adaptation are better explained by trait dimensionality. First, we develop and analyse mathematical models that predict levels of local adaptation will increase with the number of traits experiencing spatially variable selection. Next, we test this prediction by estimating the relationship between dimensionality and local adaptation using data from 35 published reciprocal transplant studies. This analysis reveals a strong correlation between dimensionality and degree of local adaptation, and thus provides empirical support for the predictions of our model.

Behavioural effects of yearling grain-finished heifers exposed to differing environmental conditions and growth-promoting agents

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Mader ◽  
J. B. Gaughan ◽  
W. M. Kreikemeier ◽  
A. M. Parkhurst
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Cold Stress ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Adverse Environmental Conditions ◽  
Growth Promotants

Two groups of 108 Angus cross yearling heifers were utilised to determine the effects of growth-promoting agents on behaviour, when utilised under thermoneutral, hot and cold environmental conditions. Pens of heifers were observed throughout the day for feed intake pattern via bunk score, panting (hot), degree of bunching and shivering (cold). For cattle that were exposed to cold stress, feed intake was greater earlier in the day, with the majority of the feed consumed by 1500 hours and little or no feed consumed at night, while the opposite trend occurred under heat stress. Nearly 46% of the pens containing heat-stressed heifers had greater than 50% of their feed remaining in the bunk at 1900 hours. Pens of heifers exposed to thermoneutral conditions had a tendency to show elevated panting scores at 0700 hours, while heifers exposed to hot conditions did not, indicating some acclimation to heat stress had already taken place for the heifers exposed to hot conditions. Panting score did not appear to be affected by growth-promoting treatment. Under cold stress, 100% of the cattle displayed bunching behaviour throughout the day, while under hot and thermoneutral conditions, maximum bunching (25 to 30%) occurred at 1500 hours. Within an environmental condition, trenbolone acetate cattle tended to bunch more under thermoneutral and hot conditions, particularly in the morning, when compared with other treatment groups; control and oestrogen-treated cattle tended to bunch less under the same conditions, regardless of the time of day. Although data were inconclusive as to overall effects of growth promotants on mitigating cold stress, shivering scores were increased with a more aggressive growth-promoting treatment (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that if growth promotants, which are used in feedlot cattle, impact cattle exposed to adverse environmental conditions, then they tend to be more effective at mitigating heat stress than cold stress.

scholarly journals Effect of Temperature-Humidity-Index on Milk Performances of Local Born Holstein Dairy Cows Under Saharan Climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-36
Author(s):  
Lazoumi Ouarfli ◽  
Abdelmadjid Chehma
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Temperature Humidity Index ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Humidity Index ◽  
Milking Frequency

Abstract The objective is to study the effect of heat stress on milk yield (MY) relative to milking records (n=18178) of native Holsteins (n=187), in the region of Ghardaia, according to periods of HS, using the temperature-humidity index (THI). With THI >72 during 07 months in the study area, which significantly (P<0.001) decrease the MY (-15.5% corresponding to 21.73 kg). Also, calving periods led to a significant drop (P < 0.001) in overall MY (7030.35 kg) of the order of (-14.6%), and over the lactation length (353.43 d), which explains 41% of the variations in MY. In addition, the non-significant effect (P=0.212) of the lactation range on the increase in MY, moreover, the lactation length shows a non-significant (P = 0.108) decrease (-4.68%) during heat stress (HS). Furthermore, the significant effect (P <0.001) of the interaction (Milking frequency × THI) on MY, when THI variates from < 74 to > 84, with regression of (-16.82% and -08.82%) of the MF (2X and 3X), respectively. Again, the NH cow is less sensitive to hyperthermia, so THI explains only 2% of the variation in MY levels. Thus, NH in arid regions have the ability to acclimatize to Saharan environmental conditions.

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