scholarly journals Evolution of Reproductive Life History in Mammals and the Associated Change of Functional Constraints

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 740
Author(s):  
Jiaqi Wu ◽  
Takahiro Yonezawa ◽  
Hirohisa Kishino

Phylogenetic trees based on multiple genomic loci enable us to estimate the evolution of functional constraints that operate on genes based on lineage-specific fluctuation of the evolutionary rate at particular gene loci, “gene–branch interactions”. Using this information as predictors, our previous work inferred that the common ancestor of placental mammals was nocturnal, insectivorous, solitary, and bred seasonally. Here, we added seven new continuous traits including lifespan, bodyweight, and five reproduction-related traits and inferred the coevolution network of 14 core life history traits for 89 mammals. In this network, bodyweight and lifespan are not directly connected to each other; instead, their correlation is due to both of them coevolving with gestation period. Diurnal mammals are more likely to be monogamous than nocturnal mammals, while arboreal mammals tend to have a smaller litter size than terrestrial mammals. Coevolution between diet and the seasonal breeding behavior test shows that year-round breeding preceded the dietary change to omnivory, while seasonal breeding preceded the dietary change to carnivory. We also discuss the evolution of reproductive strategy of mammals. Genes selected as predictors were identified as well; for example, genes function as tumor suppressor were selected as predictors of weaning age.

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne L. Isaac

Knowledge of life history and demography is essential for effective management of target species. Here, I describe life history and demographic traits of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) on Magnetic Island, north Queensland. Data were collected during monthly live-trapping sessions over three years (2001–2004). Density was ~100% higher than reported in most Australian populations, at 5 possums per hectare; losses from the population were more than compensated for by births and immigration. Age-specific survival differed between the sexes: male survival declined earlier and faster than female survival. Males were significantly heavier than females as adults and sexual dimorphism appears to arise through a faster growth rate in males following weaning. Age at maturity in females varied from 1 to 3 years; 61% of females produced their first young at age 2. Males became sexually mature at age 3. Breeding was seasonal, with >50% births occurring in April–May; a smaller birth peak in spring was due to some females producing a second young after they had successfully weaned a first. The Magnetic Island possum population appears to be more similar to New Zealand populations, in terms of their life history and demographics, than to other previously studied mainland Australian populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 15916-15921
Author(s):  
A.V. Abhijith ◽  
Shomen Mukherjee

The Western Ghats have a high level of anuran endemism.  Although there has been an extensive focus on their taxonomy, the ecology of most species are poorly known.  In this note we describe the reproductive life-history traits and breeding behavior of four species of endemic bush frogs, Pseudophilautus wynaadensis, Raorchestes akroparallagi, Raorchestes glandulosus, and Raorchestes ponmudi (Amphibia: Anura: Rachophoridae) from Wayanad region of Western Ghats.   


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 522
Author(s):  
Régis Santos ◽  
Wendell Medeiros-Leal ◽  
Osman Crespo ◽  
Ana Novoa-Pabon ◽  
Mário Pinho

With the commercial fishery expansion to deeper waters, some vulnerable deep-sea species have been increasingly captured. To reduce the fishing impacts on these species, exploitation and management must be based on detailed and precise information about their biology. The common mora Mora moro has become the main deep-sea species caught by longliners in the Northeast Atlantic at depths between 600 and 1200 m. In the Azores, landings have more than doubled from the early 2000s to recent years. Despite its growing importance, its life history and population structure are poorly understood, and the current stock status has not been assessed. To better determine its distribution, biology, and long-term changes in abundance and size composition, this study analyzed a fishery-dependent and survey time series from the Azores. M. moro was found on mud and rock bottoms at depths below 300 m. A larger–deeper trend was observed, and females were larger and more abundant than males. The reproductive season took place from August to February. Abundance indices and mean sizes in the catch were marked by changes in fishing fleet operational behavior. M. moro is considered vulnerable to overfishing because it exhibits a long life span, a large size, slow growth, and a low natural mortality.


Ecology ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 2218-2231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nat B. Frazer ◽  
J. Whitfield Gibbons ◽  
Judith L. Greene

1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEFFRY I. FASICK ◽  
THOMAS W. CRONIN ◽  
DAVID M. HUNT ◽  
PHYLLIS R. ROBINSON

To assess the dolphin's capacity for color vision and determine the absorption maxima of the dolphin visual pigments, we have cloned and expressed the dolphin opsin genes. On the basis of sequence homology with other mammalian opsins, a dolphin rod and long-wavelength sensitive (LWS) cone opsin cDNAs were identified. Both dolphin opsin cDNAs were expressed in mammalian COS-7 cells. The resulting proteins were reconstituted with the chromophore 11-cis-retinal resulting in functional pigments with absorption maxima (λmax) of 488 and 524 nm for the rod and cone pigments respectively. These λmax values are considerably blue shifted compared to those of many terrestrial mammals. Although the dolphin possesses a gene homologous to other mammalian short-wavelength sensitive (SWS) opsins, it is not expressed in vivo and has accumulated a number of deletions, including a frame-shift mutation at nucleotide position 31. The dolphin therefore lacks the common dichromatic form of color vision typical of most terrestrial mammals.


1973 ◽  
Vol 71 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvio Celso Goncalves da Costa ◽  
Samuel B. Pessoa ◽  
Neize de Moura Pereira ◽  
Tania Colombo

The main object of the present paper is to furnish a brief account to the knowledgement of Protozoa parasitic in common Brazilian frog of the genus Leptodactylus for general students in Zoology and for investigators that use this frog as a laboratory animal. Hepatozoon leptodactyli (Haemogregarina leptodactyli) was found in two species of frogs - Leptodactylus ocellatus and L. pentadactylus - in which develop schizogony whereas sporogony occurs in the leech Haementeria lutzi as was obtainded in experimental conditions. Intracellular forms have been found in peripheral circulation, chiefly in erythrocytes, but we have found them in leukocytes too. Tissue stages were found in frog, liver, lungs, spleen, gut, brain and heart. The occurence of hemogregarine in the Central Nervous System was recorded by Costa & al,(13) and Ball (2). Some cytochemical methods were employed in attempt to differentiate gametocytes from trophozoites in the peripheral blood and to characterize the cystic membrane as well. The speorogonic cycle was developed in only one specie of leech. A brief description of the parasite is given.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Rani Erum

Anti-Muslim emotions are not new for the world. It was present since the rise of Islam. West was furious after facing Muslims in battle ground and constantly defeated by those who were less equipped but obtained high morals. Initially they were frightened due to the novelty and unique approach of faith and its execution, therefore, they try to fabricate the original manuscripts, making false stories and molesting the last prophet’s life history. Islamophobia transformed after 9/11 and become more intensified and dangerous. It effected the common men worldwide without any boundaries. The respective research is based on the fact that hatred is the negative notion whether it related with nobility or wicked perception. It creates harmful effects on human psychology which subsequently created abusive mindset and actions. When any form of ideology identified as phobia means uncontrolled envy combine with the concept and turn it into a form of frenzied connotation. The fight between East and West was ancient which now convert among religions particularly Islam and others. The research is intend to provide the journey of anti-Islamism from past to present as well its significant elements and its present state. It also discusses the future prospects of clash of religions.  


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhsen Hammoud ◽  
Charles Morphy Santos ◽  
Joao Paulo Gois

Current side-by-side phylogenetic trees comparison frameworks face two issues: (1) accepting binary trees as input, and (2) assuming input trees having identical or highly overlapping taxa. We present a task abstraction of the problem of side-by-side comparison of two phylogenetic trees and propose a set-based measure for detailed structural comparison between two phylogenetic trees, which can be non-binary and not highly overlapping. iPhyloC is an interactive web-based framework including automatic identification of the common taxa in both trees, comparing input trees in several modes, intuitive design, high usability, scalability to large trees, and cross-platform support. iPhyloC was tested in hypothetical and real biological examples.


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