TY - JOUR
T1 - Candidate genes involved in the evolution of viviparity
T2 - a RAD sequencing experiment in the lizard Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae)
AU - Cornetti, Luca
AU - Griffith, Oliver W.
AU - Benazzo, Andrea
AU - Panziera, Alex
AU - Whittington, Camilla M.
AU - Thompson, Michael B.
AU - Vernesi, Cristiano
AU - Bertorelle, Giorgio
PY - 2018/5
Y1 - 2018/5
N2 - Viviparity has evolved from oviparity at least 150 independent times in vertebrates. More than 80% of these transitions have occurred in squamate reptiles, where both reproductive modes are rarely seen in different populations of the same species. This condition (bimodal reproduction) is ideal for studying the physiological and morphological changes underpinning the evolution of reproductive mode, and their genetic determinants. Here we analysed the genomes of Zootoca vivipara populations with either oviparous or viviparous reproduction using a RAD sequencing approach. No signature of interbreeding between oviparous and viviparous individuals was found. We conservatively identified 22 annotated coding sequences in genes potentially associated with parity mode differences. Six of these genes are transcription regulators that are also expressed in reproductive tissues of mammals and reptiles, suggesting that changes in gene expression are important for the evolution of viviparity. Using a more inclusive approach based on contigs mapping in either coding or non-coding regions, 45 genes were identified. Twelve of these candidate genes are transcription regulators and four encode protease enzymes. We propose that the evolution of proteases may support morphological changes to the uterus during pregnancy. This study provides the foundation for further experimental studies of the genetic basis of parity mode in Z. vivipara.
AB - Viviparity has evolved from oviparity at least 150 independent times in vertebrates. More than 80% of these transitions have occurred in squamate reptiles, where both reproductive modes are rarely seen in different populations of the same species. This condition (bimodal reproduction) is ideal for studying the physiological and morphological changes underpinning the evolution of reproductive mode, and their genetic determinants. Here we analysed the genomes of Zootoca vivipara populations with either oviparous or viviparous reproduction using a RAD sequencing approach. No signature of interbreeding between oviparous and viviparous individuals was found. We conservatively identified 22 annotated coding sequences in genes potentially associated with parity mode differences. Six of these genes are transcription regulators that are also expressed in reproductive tissues of mammals and reptiles, suggesting that changes in gene expression are important for the evolution of viviparity. Using a more inclusive approach based on contigs mapping in either coding or non-coding regions, 45 genes were identified. Twelve of these candidate genes are transcription regulators and four encode protease enzymes. We propose that the evolution of proteases may support morphological changes to the uterus during pregnancy. This study provides the foundation for further experimental studies of the genetic basis of parity mode in Z. vivipara.
KW - evolutionary genomics
KW - gene–phenotype association
KW - oviparity
KW - population genetics
KW - reproductive strategies
KW - viviparity
KW - gene phenotype association
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047003116&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx069
DO - 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx069
M3 - Article
VL - 183
SP - 196
EP - 207
JO - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
JF - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
SN - 0024-4082
IS - 1
ER -