tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412035319674652242024-03-20T03:31:40.597+00:00Elmer LabAn evolutionary biology lab at the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine (University of Glasgow)
team lead: Prof. Kathryn R ElmerElmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-65909900918186769462024-02-29T15:50:00.013+00:002024-02-29T16:34:23.948+00:00NEW PAPER: Genomics of head and body shape parallelism in Arctic charr<p>Published today as free open access in <i><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.17305" target="_blank">Molecular Ecology</a></i>: </p><p><b>Genomic underpinnings of head and body shape in Arctic charr ecomorph pairs</b></p><p>Sam Fenton, Arne Jacobs, Colin Bean, Colin Adams & Kathryn Elmer</p><p>The appearance of repeated phenotypes across replicates in similar environments have been described as examples of parallel evolution. However, the genomic bases of these similar phenotypes is rarely elucidated and so whether the same genomic pathways are used to achieve these similar phenotypes across replicates is rarely known. Here we used the repeated divergence of benthivorous-planktivorous ecomorph pairs of Arctic charr to investigate the genomic underpinnings of head and body shape morphology across replicates. We found that only a small number of associated SNPs for each phenotype were shared across all four ecomorph pairs we investigated with selection on associated SNPs varying considerably across replicates. Overall, these results suggest that the genomic underpinnings of these phenotypes are highly variable across lakes. Using a QTL database of salmonid QTLs, we found that a small number of associated SNPs were found in/near regions associated with these phenotypes in other species suggesting that while there is high variability in the genomic bases, some regions may be key across different species. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW538xAmv_Nxrs23r9v9M5Gh2bLxsn0S5SrhPfC4X_I3xc5iyruzpZe5az9uxrFVwPxre-Osboe1o7tJJ5qJMNPa_t_HAiMgbTEgLfpwhGaBdaQb9nuHAZXd_tg6-HFc6UFu0QpkEJs09QbSWkBPiWw2hBoBqTf3aI_RbkqxtAkZ_7LYhHSqPlnzKqyI/s2264/Figure1_Phenotypic_PCA.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="body shape changes in charr pairs" border="0" data-original-height="2181" data-original-width="2264" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW538xAmv_Nxrs23r9v9M5Gh2bLxsn0S5SrhPfC4X_I3xc5iyruzpZe5az9uxrFVwPxre-Osboe1o7tJJ5qJMNPa_t_HAiMgbTEgLfpwhGaBdaQb9nuHAZXd_tg6-HFc6UFu0QpkEJs09QbSWkBPiWw2hBoBqTf3aI_RbkqxtAkZ_7LYhHSqPlnzKqyI/w320-h309/Figure1_Phenotypic_PCA.jpg" title="body shape changes in charr pairs" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is a thesis chapter for Sam Fenton, who has recently submitted his PhD for examination. Excellent work Sam! </p><br /><p><br /></p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-81395257069549274792024-01-24T15:56:00.011+00:002024-02-29T16:09:42.775+00:00New Paper: genetics of belly colour differences in common lizards<p> Just out free and open access in <i><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.17278" target="_blank">Molecular Ecology</a></i>, a paper led by Hans and Henrique to test the genetic basis of different ventral colourations and patterns in common lizards. Using samples from the hybrid zone where we have been studying reproductive mode, Henrique studied the gene expression (Honours thesis project) and Hans the GWAS and the colour phenotyping (NERC Postdoc). Now a bunch of new candidate genes that can be followed up for reptiles!</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Genetic basis and expression of ventral colour in polymorphic common lizards</b></p><p>Hans Recknagel, Henrique G. Leitão, Kathryn R. Elmer</p><div>Abstract</div><p>Colour is an important visual cue that can correlate with sex, behaviour, life history or ecological strategies, and has evolved divergently and convergently across animal lineages. Its genetic basis in non-model organisms is rarely known, but such information is vital for determining the drivers and mechanisms of colour evolution. Leveraging genetic admixture in a rare contact zone between oviparous and viviparous common lizards (<i>Zootoca vivipara</i>), we show that females (N = 558) of the two otherwise morphologically indistinguishable reproductive modes differ in their ventral colouration (from pale to vibrant yellow) and intensity of melanic patterning. We find no association between female colouration and reproductive investment, and no evidence for selection on colour. Using a combination of genetic mapping and transcriptomic evidence, we identified two candidate genes associated with ventral colour differentiation, DGAT2 and PMEL. These are genes known to be involved in carotenoid metabolism and melanin synthesis respectively. Ventral melanic spots were associated with two genomic regions, including a SNP close to protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) genes. Using genome re-sequencing data, our results show that fixed coding mutations in the candidate genes cannot account for differences in colouration. Taken together, our findings show that the evolution of ventral colouration and its associations across common lizard lineages is variable. A potential genetic mechanism explaining the flexibility of ventral colouration may be that colouration in common lizards, but also across squamates, is predominantly driven by regulatory genetic variation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCADHL2VfuymjvoT9Ygy3oDgW9EdZ2ikHelftUhE9_YSsQMudsonq7ctZbhgiAWaGqIHRZ3DSAH2ee-IyW5f7SFlHrKvB957xZc5qNmqQsGxjwxL5_mFzmf1kPvoAy-W28BhJlmZE-dEflo_gklT13BUp2TmuytzzfkzJghbu4dnrHeP9ExB_PkjX-QXU/s640/IMG_9584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCADHL2VfuymjvoT9Ygy3oDgW9EdZ2ikHelftUhE9_YSsQMudsonq7ctZbhgiAWaGqIHRZ3DSAH2ee-IyW5f7SFlHrKvB957xZc5qNmqQsGxjwxL5_mFzmf1kPvoAy-W28BhJlmZE-dEflo_gklT13BUp2TmuytzzfkzJghbu4dnrHeP9ExB_PkjX-QXU/w300-h400/IMG_9584.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-38994573295489437082023-11-11T11:23:00.002+00:002023-11-11T11:23:12.067+00:00Zoological Society of London award<p> I'm honoured to have been awarded the <a href="https://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/news/outstanding-contributions-science-and-conservation-recognised-zsl-awards" target="_blank">Zoological Society of London Scientific Medal</a> for 2023. </p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-6367323906312833312023-11-01T15:52:00.001+00:002024-02-29T15:55:46.401+00:00New paper: Glaciation history of Scotland and how it matters for animals<p>Published as free and open access in the <i><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14702541.2023.2231407" target="_blank">Scottish Geographical Journal </a></i></p><p><b>How glaciation impacted evolutionary history and contemporary genetic diversity of flora and fauna in the British Isles</b></p><p>Patterns of contemporary genetic diversity and differentiation are often strongly influenced by historical processes. In previously glaciated regions, the patterns of changing ice coverage during the last ice age would have had a major effect on contemporary diversity and differentiation but exploration of the impact of ice coverage remains poorly explored in evolutionary studies. In this paper, we reviewed our understanding of how ice coverage changed in the British Isles during the end of the last Ice Age (ca. 27,000-11,000 years ago). We then demonstrated the impact of these changing ice coverage on the diversity of numerous flora and fauna species both through it influenced the routes and timing of colonisation and through the isolation of populations into different glacial refugia during glacial conditions. We provide a number of case studies demonstrating the varying outcomes of glacial refugia on genetic differentiation, from species where refugia populations colonised different parts of the contemporary distribution to cases demonstrating the possible outcomes upon secondary contact between refugia populations. This review highlights the many ways glacial history has impacted contemporary patterns and demonstrates the need for its exploration in many evolutionary studies. </p><div>by Sam Fenton, Kathryn Elmer, Colin Bean, and Colin Adams</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFSPxpqlQjW5ol61h5UDHqFrhPjc7EG9YWvUYvwdIvTU4xKjn7DXikXUBYpJCoH8NbQMFS1iaUHegMQchDgIyVf3Tr8YNFCTWhkuOckrgEGjtN9xHWanhBl_e1IZFv4mvCRLqv790LGjzjYpEt0VGN5WR8PLWyC7oPnR7dbO_c8t05JPq40WrhoHd1KQ/s15376/Figure1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15376" data-original-width="7950" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFSPxpqlQjW5ol61h5UDHqFrhPjc7EG9YWvUYvwdIvTU4xKjn7DXikXUBYpJCoH8NbQMFS1iaUHegMQchDgIyVf3Tr8YNFCTWhkuOckrgEGjtN9xHWanhBl_e1IZFv4mvCRLqv790LGjzjYpEt0VGN5WR8PLWyC7oPnR7dbO_c8t05JPq40WrhoHd1KQ/w206-h400/Figure1.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-17410162610282555832023-10-02T11:27:00.006+01:002023-11-11T11:30:38.917+00:00Welcome to new PhD student<p>Welcome to our new PhD student Molly Uzzell, who has been awarded a position in the NorthWestBio Doctoral Training programme. Molly's project, co-supervised with Isabella Capellini in QU Belfast, will be on pre- & post-zygotic reproductive isolation in lizards, and the effects of hybridisation on reproductive success. Molly has been with us as a volunteer since undergrad, then honours and masters - looking forward to the next phase! </p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-51216176636161173422023-09-30T11:14:00.002+01:002023-11-11T11:19:56.613+00:00NERC Grant success<p> I'm thrilled to share that we have had a Pushing the Frontiers grant funded by NERC. The project is with co-Is Mike Ritchie and Oscar Gaggiotti at St Andrews, Maureen Bain in Glasgow, and Project Partners Jean-François Le Galliard and Pierre de Villemereuil in France and Hans Recknagel in Slovenia. This will support 4 years of research on sex-specific fitness landscapes in oviparous-viviparous lizards. </p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-61438942054006009032023-01-01T11:27:00.001+00:002023-11-11T11:27:42.602+00:00welcome to a new postdoc researcher<p> Warm welcome to our new and excellent postdoc Hongxin Xie! He's bringing lots of evolutionary and squamate expertise to contribute to our NERC project testing oviparity reversal</p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-76513822104233803422022-01-31T22:05:00.000+00:002023-01-31T22:07:07.618+00:00<p> in a collaboration with Amelie Crespel and Shaun Killen, we brought some genomics to an applied evolutionary question - is there evolutionary response to fisheries harvesting? We suspected that forces like size-selective harvest can have impact but what about environmental or demographic context? Open access paper <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2020833118" target="_blank">here</a>!<br /></p><p>Crespel A, Schneider K, Miller T, Rácz A, Jacobs A, Lindström J, Elmer KR, Killen SS (2021) Genomic basis of fishing-associated selection varies with population density. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 118, e2020833118.<br /></p><p>Significance: Fisheries-associated selection is recognized as one of the strongest
potential human drivers of contemporary evolution in natural
populations. The results of this study show that while simulated
commercial fishing techniques consistently remove fish with traits
associated with growth, metabolism, and social behavior, the specific
genes under fishing selection differ depending on the density of the
targeted population. This finding suggests that different fish
populations of varying sizes will respond differently to fishing
selection at the genetic level. Furthermore, as a population is fished
over time, the genes under selection may change as the population
diminishes. This could have repercussions on population resilience. This
study highlights the importance of selection but also environmental and
density effects on harvested fish populations.</p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-87251672952459595842021-11-02T21:53:00.005+00:002021-11-02T21:53:33.980+00:00Welcome to new lab members!<p>We welcome two new lab members for autumn 2021 - postdoc Morgane Bonade and PhD student Nic Strowbridge. </p><p>Morgane is working on the project 'do common lizards break Dollo's Law' by reversing back to oviparity? This is a NERC funded project that tests functionally - using genetic crosses, RNAseq, and phylogeny - some hypotheses put forward in our phylogenomic reconstruction that suggested reversal (open access paper <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790317308564?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">here in MPE</a>). </p><p>Nic is an IAPETUS2 doctoral training programme student working on convergent evolution of colouration and toxicity defence in salamanders, in collaboration with Mike Ritchie at St Andrews.</p><p><br /></p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-69435765765921835542021-10-21T08:31:00.003+01:002023-02-24T17:14:57.216+00:00New paper: Functional genetic basis of reproductive mode<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Our paper on the genetic basis of parity mode is now published.</span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">The functional genetic architecture of egg-laying and live-bearing reproduction in common lizards</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">H. Recknagel, M. Carruthers, A. Yurchenko, M. Nokhbatolfoghahai, N.A. Kamenos, M.M. Bain, K.R. Elmer</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Nature Ecology and Evolution</i> 2021</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SharedIt link: <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" href="https://rdcu.be/cy5S2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px none; color: #663399; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">https://rdcu.be/cy5S2</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="text-align: start;" /></span></p><div class="Basicms" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">All amniotes reproduce either by egg-laying (oviparity), which is ancestral to vertebrates, or by live-bearing (viviparity), which has evolved many times independently. However, the genetic basis of these parity modes has never been resolved and consequently its convergence across evolutionary scales is currently unknown. Here we leveraged natural hybridisations between oviparous and viviparous common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) to describe the functional genes and genetic architecture of parity mode and its key traits, eggshell and gestation length, and compared our findings across vertebrates. In these lizards, parity trait genes were associated with progesterone-binding functions and enriched for tissue remodelling and immune system pathways. Viviparity involved more genes and complex gene networks than did oviparity. Angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth, and adrenoreceptor pathways were enriched in the viviparous female reproductive tissue, while pathways for transforming growth factor were enriched in the oviparous. Natural selection on these parity mode genes was evident genome-wide. Our comparison to seven independent origins of viviparity in mammals, squamates, and fish showed that genes active in pregnancy were related to immunity, tissue remodelling, and blood vessel generation. Therefore, our results suggest that pre-established regulatory networks are repeatedly recruited for viviparity and that these are shared at deep evolutionary scales.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span></div><div class="Basicms" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="Basicms" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">This work was supported by NERC, Genetics Society, and a Lord Kelvin-Adam Smith Univ Glasgow PhD studentship</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Big thanks to the many fieldwork helpers, young and old.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRfnQb48Yfy-EO9YzFaBmlZ9WEjs94iIDGbh4tk9UoYWt5vGBiV6ihpn23xRny-5RwDldQ4g59yd4tZCNPPM3DZxMXJji8zWXeM6u41b0ZjB68mXA6trlYS9JreHL1InKa9kg6eGFKYQ/s2048/IMG_4325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRfnQb48Yfy-EO9YzFaBmlZ9WEjs94iIDGbh4tk9UoYWt5vGBiV6ihpn23xRny-5RwDldQ4g59yd4tZCNPPM3DZxMXJji8zWXeM6u41b0ZjB68mXA6trlYS9JreHL1InKa9kg6eGFKYQ/s320/IMG_4325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">update: Lizards make the <a href="https://www.nature.com/natecolevol/volumes/5/issues/11" target="_blank">cover</a>, baby! <br /></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><p class="Head" style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 37.3333px; margin: 6pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.6667px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-13199081086376341002021-09-13T07:18:00.004+01:002021-10-21T09:19:48.033+01:00New project: Evolution of reproductive mode<p>We are back in the field and setting up a new experiment on reproductive mode evolution! Delays due to covid are behind us and I'm thrilled to be at CNRS Station for <a href="https://sete-moulis-cnrs.fr/fr/" target="_blank">Theoretical and Experimental Ecology</a> and starting our collaboration with ecology legend Jean Clobert. </p><p>First lizard pots are ready and lizards are arriving this week!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAxBKdlpvc1x2AmZsG6a6bQw4hsFD9qRfuw4dn-ItQOy5_90dY3jU83xwcZd6bxwlb6VKBEo0OEP5ASrekOXiMTwRil9EhYSwsDysPwBgch9h9hVgHbBYuOhtbpbQpPuXVM50xPu3Kiw/s2048/IMG_8101.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAxBKdlpvc1x2AmZsG6a6bQw4hsFD9qRfuw4dn-ItQOy5_90dY3jU83xwcZd6bxwlb6VKBEo0OEP5ASrekOXiMTwRil9EhYSwsDysPwBgch9h9hVgHbBYuOhtbpbQpPuXVM50xPu3Kiw/s320/IMG_8101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This is a <a href="http://gotw.nerc.ac.uk/list_full.asp?pcode=NE%2FV001728%2F1" target="_blank">NERC funded project</a> with Maureen Bain and Jean Clobert, and the collaboration of Hans Recknagel and new postdoc Morgane Bonade, to dig deeper into the functional development of oviparity in ancestral and derived lineages. Through this experiment we will directly tackle the thorny issue of putative reversal to oviparity ... do lizards break Dollo's Law?</p><p>Also perfect timing for some momentum, as our major paper on functional genomics of oviparity vs viviparity is in press. Free online at <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" href="https://rdcu.be/cy5S2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: #663399; font-family: Calibri, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">https://rdcu.be/cy5S2</a></p><p>more new soon!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-13581499302051101102021-09-05T21:27:00.005+01:002021-11-02T21:42:52.972+00:00New paper: reconstructing the history of viviparity in squamate reptiles<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Recently published in the <i>Journal of Evolutionary Biology</i> - </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Evolutionary origins of viviparity consistent with palaeoclimate and lineage diversification</b></span></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hans Recknagel, Nicholas Kamenos, Kathryn Elmer</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">freely available <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.13886" target="_blank">here</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a collaboration between evolutionary biology and Geography for reconstruction of palaeoclimate.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It has long been argued that the origin of viviparity is related to cold climatic conditions. However this is challenging to disentangle correlation from causation, and response from cause. Also many studies have examined particular species groups but we have lacked the data so far to estimate a time tree in context of climate. Here led by Hans Recknagel in his interdisciplinary PhD studentship, we showed that stable and long-lasting cold climatic conditions are correlated with transitions to viviparity across squamates. Interestingly, this correlation of parity mode and palaeoclimate is mirrored by background diversification rate in squamates. Further, exploring patterns by simulations of a binary trait also showed a similar association with palaeoclimate. Overall this suggests that vivparity evolution cannot be separated from squamate lineage diversification. We suggest that parity mode transitions depend on environmental and intrinsic effects and that background diversification rate may be a factor in trait diversification more generally. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ultimately we need more genome-informed and mechanistic information about the basis of viviparity to better retrace its evolution, but these data are lacking.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><img alt="image" class="figure__image" data-lg-src="/cms/asset/e845fba7-8487-4239-bfc8-7a6346312cc5/jeb13886-fig-0002-m.jpg" height="400" loading="lazy" src="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/cms/asset/e845fba7-8487-4239-bfc8-7a6346312cc5/jeb13886-fig-0002-m.jpg" title="image" width="303" /></p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-79794384579066832542020-11-27T14:38:00.004+00:002021-11-02T21:25:45.036+00:00success with NERC standard grant and soon hiring<p> We were recently awarded a three year NERC grant to study the evolution and development of reproductive modes, with common lizards as a model organism</p><p>Check back early January if you are interested - we will be advertising for a postdoc soon!</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reproductive mode evolution and reversal demonstrate the genetic toolkits of egg-laying and live-bearing</b></p><p>Abstract: Laying eggs or giving birth to live young are two fundamentally different ways for females to produce their offspring. All birds, crocodilians, turtles, monotreme mammals (such as duck-billed platypus), and many lizards and snakes are egg-laying, as were most dinosaurs. In contrast, all placental mammals (like humans), marsupials, and some lizards and snakes are live-bearing. From studying embryos we know that many molecular and developmental aspects of these reproductive modes arose deep within the tree of life. For example, ancient egg-making structures are still retained within mammalian placenta, and the genes activated by pregnancy in lizards are the same as those activated by pregnancy in mammals and seahorses. Yet, clearly, substantial reproductive differences evolved between species; though it is not known how or why because the core genetic controls of these reproductive modes remain unknown. This major and obvious gap in our biological knowledge has persisted into the genomic era - where we can now study the entire DNA sequence of an organism - because we lacked an informative experimental model. Simply put, to test the genetic basis of traits that differ, the definitive experiment is to make a cross between the two different types. In the case of reproductive mode this is usual not possible, because species are too divergent to successfully breed. For example, no one can make a genetic cross of a platypus and a snake to test if the 'egg making DNA' is the same in both species. </p><p>Our proposal seeks to shed light on the genetic basis of these fundamental reproductive traits using an exceptional species: the humbly-named 'common lizard'. </p><p>To test long-standing ideas about the genetic basis of fundamental reproductive traits, we plan to do controlled functional studies of the different types found within these lizards and hybrid experimental crosses. By comparing the two lineages of egg-laying lizards we will be able to identify the genes necessary for egg-laying. This is due to the fact that the core genes should be found in the genomes of both and, if they are shared, these genes should be expressed in similar places and times. Mismatches will be evident and point to different bases. Then we will use computational approaches to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree of the 'egg-laying' (and 'live-bearing') genes across the history of the entire species and if oviparity evolved once or multiple times. This will reveal how changes in a species' DNA give rise to changes in reproductive mode. Because of the ancient origins and sharing of reproductive genes across species, the lessons learned from these lizards will provide new and valuable insights into the biology, reproductive health, and evolution of all vertebrates.</p><p><br /></p><p>PI: Kathryn R Elmer (IBAHCM)</p><p>co-I Maureen Bain (IBAHCM-Vet School)</p><p>Project Parter: Jean Clobert (CNRS Moulis)</p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-17633871249287412372020-11-27T14:32:00.002+00:002020-11-27T14:32:31.881+00:00PhD opportunities for autumn 2021<p> We have several PhD opportunities through competition in the IAPETUS programme. Please see <a href="http://elmerlab.blogspot.com/p/opportunities.html">Opportunities</a> page</p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-40598251524115182020-11-03T16:30:00.006+00:002020-11-03T16:30:46.313+00:00New paper: cryptic diversity in Chinese minnows<p> from his time as a visiting PhD student in our lab group, Li Chao has published an excellent paper on cryptic diversity and its taxonomic implications. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Cryptic species in White Cloud Mountain minnow, Tanichthys albonubes: Taxonomic and conservation implications</b></p><p><i>Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution</i></p><p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106950">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106950</a></p><p>Chao Li, Shuying Jiang. Kevin Schneider. Jinjin Jin, Hungdu Lin, JunjieWang, Kathryn R.Elmer, Jun Zhao</p><p>Abstract: Cryptic species describe two or more species that had mistakenly been considered to be a single species, a phenomenon that has been found throughout the tree of life. Recognizing cryptic species is key to estimating the real biodiversity of the world and understanding evolutionary processes. Molecular methods present an unprecedented opportunity for biologists to question whether morphologically similar populations are actually cryptic species. The minnow <i>Tanichthys albonubes</i> is a critically endangered freshwater fish and was classified as a second-class state-protected animal in China. Previous studies have revealed highly divergent lineages with similar morphological characters in this species. Herein, we tested for cryptic species across the ranges of all known wild populations of this minnow. Using multilocus molecular (one mitochondrial gene, two nuclear genes and 13 microsatellite loci) and morphological data for 230 individuals from eight populations, we found deep genetic divergence among these populations with subtle morphological disparity. Morphological examination found variance among these populations in the number of branched anal-fin rays. Based on genetic data, we inferred eight monophyletic groups that were well supported by haplotype network and population clustering analyses. Species delimitation methods suggested eight putative species in the <i>T. albonubes</i> complex. Molecular dating suggested that these cryptic species diverged in the period from the Pliocene to the Pleistocene. Based on these findings, we propose the existence of seven cryptic species in the <i>T. albonubes</i> complex. Our results highlight the need for a taxonomic revision of <i>Tanichthys</i>. What is more, the conservation status of and conservation strategies for the <i>T. albonubes</i> complex should be reassessed as soon as possible.</p>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-33901386160299464892020-11-03T16:24:00.002+00:002020-11-03T16:24:56.510+00:00New paper: Intraspecific variation and structuring of phenotype in a lake-dwelling species are driven by lake size and elevation<p> Research from now-FSBI PhD student Peter Koene, from his masters project in Glasgow - </p><p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blaa137">https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blaa137</a></p><h2 class="abstract-title" id="209380860" scrollto-destination="209380860" style="background-color: #eff2f7; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25rem; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 1.5rem 1.2rem 0.9rem; vertical-align: baseline;">Abstract</h2><section class="abstract" style="background-color: #eff2f7; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 1.2rem 1.7rem; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="chapter-para" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The fragmented, heterogeneous and relatively depauperate ecosystems of recently glaciated lakes present contrasting ecological opportunities for resident fish. Across a species, local adaptation may induce diverse and distinct phenotypic responses to various selection pressures. We tested for intraspecific phenotypic structuring by population in a common native lake-dwelling fish species across a medium-scale geographic region with considerable variation in lake types. We investigated potential lake-characteristic drivers of trophic morphology. Using geometric morphometric techniques, we quantified the head shapes of 759 adult brown trout (<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Salmo trutta</span> L.) from 28 lakes and reservoirs across Scotland. Multivariate statistical analyses showed that almost all populations differed from one another. Trout from larger and deeper lakes had deeper, but shorter heads, and smaller eyes. Higher elevation lakes were associated with fish with shorter heads and jaws. Within-population shape variation also differed by population, and was positively correlated with lake surface area and depth. Trout within reservoirs differed subtly from those in natural lakes, having larger eyes, shorter jaws and greater variability. This study documents an extraordinary morphological variation between and within populations of brown trout, and demonstrates the role of the extrinsic environment in driving phenotypic structuring over a medium-scale and varied geographic area.</p></section>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-39124860619048045052020-07-21T13:19:00.004+01:002020-11-27T14:15:24.469+00:00POSTDOC POSITION AVAILABLE<div>CLOSED </div><div><br /></div><div>Postdoc: UGlasgow.GenomicsReproductiveMode</div><div><br /></div><div>We have a research opportunity open at the University of Glasgow's Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM) working in the Evolutionary Analysis Group and the research team of Kathryn Elmer (http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/staff/kathrynelmer/) in collaboration with Oscar Gaggiotti at University of St Andrews (https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/oscar-eduardo-gaggiotti(43985656-390b-478e-b9a7-05fe88181e46).html_ The project is primarily based at Glasgow and research periods based at St Andrews are supported.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are seeking a motivated, creative and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher for a project on the genomic basis of oviparous and viviparous reproductive modes, funded by The Leverhulme Trust. This project will apply advanced statistical analyses to population-wide whole genome sequences to identify regions of the genome that show signals of response to selection, the molecular targets of that selection (genes, gene functions, and biological pathways), and genetic units fundamental to egg-laying vs live-bearing. The research model is the common lizard, which is a fascinating and unusual species because it is reproductively bimodal. </div><div><br /></div><div>A strong track record of genetic and evolutionary research is necessary, and on vertebrates is a benefit. Bioinformatic experience with NGS data and expertise in whole genome analysis is preferred. Skills in quantitative trait mapping, comparative genomics, ecological and/or population genomics, statistics, and phylogenetics are also valuable. Lab work and fieldwork skills are not strictly required but would be advantageous. Team working and positive attitude are a must. Candidates must have completed their PhD by the start of contract. International applicants will be eligible for a UK work visa. We welcome a diversity of applicants!</div><div><br /></div><div>The position is for 3 years, with start date reasonably flexible. The position is open at grade 6 (early career postdoc) or grade 7 (experienced postdoc).</div><div><br /></div><div>IBAHCM is a stimulating and interactive research environment with a wealth of opportunities for discussion, collaboration and cutting edge research in evolution, ecology, and disease. The University of Glasgow ranks in the world's top 100 universities. The University and IBAHCM are both recognised with Athena SWAN awards. The city of Glasgow is lively and cultural, and sits on the doorstep of the great outdoors of the Scottish Highlands, islands, and coast.</div><div><br /></div><div>The official job description and application requirements are available on the University of Glasgow homepage under current vacancies; http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/jobs/vacancies/ at job reference 039224</div><div><br /></div><div>**The advertisement closes 7 August 2020.** </div><div><br /></div><div>Informal inquiries in advance are very welcome</div><div><br /></div>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-20526420252811329452020-04-14T21:19:00.002+01:002020-11-03T16:26:00.189+00:00New paper: Parallel evolution of Arctic charr across divergent lineages"Parallelism in eco-morphology and gene expression despite variable evolutionary and genomic backgrounds in a Holarctic fish" is in press with <i>PLoS Genetics</i>. data available on Enlighten. <br />
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<a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1008658">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1008658</a><div><br /><div>Abstract</div><div>Understanding the extent to which ecological divergence is repeatable is essential for predicting responses of biodiversity to environmental change. Here we test the predictability of evolution, from genotype to phenotype, by studying parallel evolution in a salmonid fish, Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus), across eleven replicate sympatric ecotype pairs (benthivorous-planktivorous and planktivorous-piscivorous) and two evolutionary lineages. We found considerable variability in eco-morphological divergence, with several traits related to foraging (eye diameter, pectoral fin length) being highly parallel even across lineages. This suggests repeated and predictable adaptation to environment. Consistent with ancestral genetic variation, hundreds of loci were associated with ecotype divergence within lineages of which eight were shared across lineages. This shared genetic variation was maintained despite variation in evolutionary histories, ranging from postglacial divergence in sympatry (ca. 10-15kya) to pre-glacial divergence (ca. 20-40kya) with postglacial secondary contact. Transcriptome-wide gene expression (44,102 genes) was highly parallel across replicates, involved biological processes characteristic of ecotype morphology and physiology, and revealed parallelism at the level of regulatory networks. This expression divergence was not only plastic but in part genetically controlled by parallel cis-eQTL. Lastly, we found that the magnitude of phenotypic divergence was largely correlated with the genetic differentiation and gene expression divergence. In contrast, the direction of phenotypic change was mostly determined by the interplay of adaptive genetic variation, gene expression, and ecosystem size. Ecosystem size further explained variation in putatively adaptive, ecotype-associated genomic patterns within and across lineages, highlighting the role of environmental variation and stochasticity in parallel evolution. Together, our findings demonstrate the parallel evolution of eco-morphology and gene expression within and across evolutionary lineages, which is controlled by the interplay of environmental stochasticity and evolutionary contingencies, largely overcoming variable evolutionary histories and genomic backgrounds.</div></div>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-90729057401806971012020-03-01T21:22:00.000+00:002020-04-14T21:42:58.702+01:00New paper: Colour genes under selection in colourful salamanders<br />
Burgon, J.D., Vieites, D.R., Jacobs, A., Weidt, S.K., Gunter, H.M., Steinfartz, S., Burgess, K., Mable, B.K. and Elmer, K.R., 2020. Functional colour genes and signals of selection in colour polymorphic salamanders. Molecular Ecology. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/mec.15411" target="_blank">in press</a> online early<br />
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Led by PhD student James Burgon, this paper is a favourite! a project started with colleagues in Scotland, Germany and Spain, coming from plans that were long in the pipeline. A new set of colour candidate genes for amphibians.<br />
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Abstract</div>
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Colouration has been associated with multiple biologically relevant traits that drive adaptation and diversification in many taxa. However, despite the great diversity of colour patterns present in amphibians the underlying molecular basis is largely unknown. Here, we leverage insight from a highly colour‐variable lineage of the European fire salamander (<i>Salamandra salamandra bernardezi</i>) to identify functional associations with striking variation in colour morph and pattern. The three focal colour morphs—ancestral black‐yellow striped, fully yellow, and fully brown—differed in pattern, visible colouration, and cellular composition. From population genomic analyses of up to 4,702 loci, we found no correlations of neutral population genetic structure with colour morph. However we identified 21 loci with genotype‐phenotype associations, several of which relate to known colour genes. Further, we inferred response to selection at up to 142 loci between the colour morphs, again including several that relate to colouration genes. By transcriptomic analysis across all different combinations, we found 196 differentially expressed genes between yellow, brown, and black skin, 63 of which are candidate genes involved in animal colouration. The concordance across different statistical approaches and ‘omic datasets provide several lines of evidence for loci linked to functional differences between colour morphs, including TYR, CAMK1, and PMEL. We found little association between colour morph and the metabolomic profile of its toxic compounds from the skin secretions. Our research suggests that current ecological and evolutionary hypotheses for the origins and maintenance of these striking colour morphs may need to be revisited.<br />
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Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-85838437007044646182020-01-26T21:26:00.000+00:002020-04-14T21:42:43.811+01:00New paper: endemic fish diversity swamped by stockingWork from Li Chao's research visit with us:<br />
Li, C., Wang, J., Chen, J., Schneider, K., Veettil, R.K., Elmer, K.R. and Zhao, J., 2020. Native bighead carp <i>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</i> and silver carp <i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i> populations in the Pearl River are threatened by Yangtze River introductions as revealed by mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Fish Biology. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jfb.14253" target="_blank">in press online early</a><br />
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Culturally and economically important fishes with conservation challenges due to people stocking fry and building dams.<br />
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Abstract<br />
Bighead carp <i>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</i> and silver carp <i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix </i>have been two economically important aquaculture species in China for centuries. In the past decades, bighead and silver carp have been introduced from the Yangtze River to many river systems in China, including the Pearl River, in annual, large‐scale, stocking activities to enhance wild fisheries. Nonetheless, few studies have assessed the ecological or genetic impacts of such introductions on native conspecific fish populations. An mtDNA D‐loop segment of 978 bp from 213 bighead carp samples from 9 populations and a 975 bp segment from 204 silver carp samples from 10 populations were obtained to evaluate genetic diversity and population integrity. Results from a haplotype network analysis revealed that most haplotypes of the Pearl River clustered with those of Yangtze River origin and only a small proportion were distinct, suggesting that both the native Pearl River bighead and silver carp populations are currently dominated by genetic material from the Yangtze River. The genetic diversity of Pearl River populations is high in both species because of this inter‐population gene flow, but the diversity of native Pearl River populations is low. To preserve the native genetic diversity, stocking of non‐native fingerlings should cease immediately and native Pearl River bighead and silver carp fish farms should be established. This research demonstrates the danger to native biodiversity across China because of the substantial, ongoing stock‐enhancement activities without prior genetic assessment.Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-59784966103585084682020-01-05T21:12:00.000+00:002020-04-14T21:43:27.725+01:00New paper: convergence in molecular signals of selection across generaPaper led by PhD Student Kevin Schneider analysed all available transcriptome data for salmonids, to ask: at the molecular evolution level, what is similar about rapidly diversifying lake salmonids?<br />
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Schneider, K., Adams, C.E. and Elmer, K.R., 2019. Parallel selection on ecologically relevant gene functions in the transcriptomes of highly diversifying salmonids. BMC genomics, 20(1), pp.1-23.<br />
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open access paper available <a href="https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12864-019-6361-2" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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Abstract<br />
Background<br />
Salmonid fishes are characterised by a very high level of variation in trophic, ecological, physiological, and life history adaptations. Some salmonid taxa show exceptional potential for fast, within-lake diversification into morphologically and ecologically distinct variants, often in parallel; these are the lake-resident charr and whitefish (several species in the genera <i>Salvelinus</i> and <i>Coregonus</i>). To identify selection on genes and gene categories associated with such predictable diversifications, we analysed 2702 orthogroups (4.82 Mbp total; average 4.77 genes/orthogroup; average 1783 bp/orthogroup). We did so in two charr and two whitefish species and compared to five other salmonid lineages, which do not evolve in such ecologically predictable ways, and one non-salmonid outgroup.<br />
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Results<br />
All selection analyses are based on <i>Coregonus</i> and <i>Salvelinus</i> compared to non-diversifying taxa. We found more orthogroups were affected by relaxed selection than intensified selection. Of those, 122 were under significant relaxed selection, with trends of an overrepresentation of serine family amino acid metabolism and transcriptional regulation, and significant enrichment of behaviour-associated gene functions. Seventy-eight orthogroups were under significant intensified selection and were enriched for signalling process and transcriptional regulation gene ontology terms and actin filament and lipid metabolism gene sets. Ninety-two orthogroups were under diversifying/positive selection. These were enriched for signal transduction, transmembrane transport, and pyruvate metabolism gene ontology terms and often contained genes involved in transcriptional regulation and development. Several orthogroups showed signs of multiple types of selection. For example, orthogroups under relaxed and diversifying selection contained genes such as ap1m2, involved in immunity and development, and slc6a8, playing an important role in muscle and brain creatine uptake. Orthogroups under intensified and diversifying selection were also found, such as genes syn3, with a role in neural processes, and ctsk, involved in bone remodelling.<br />
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Conclusions<br />
Our approach pinpointed relevant genomic targets by distinguishing among different kinds of selection. We found that relaxed, intensified, and diversifying selection affect orthogroups and gene functions of ecological relevance in salmonids. Because they were found consistently and robustly across charr and whitefish and not other salmonid lineages, we propose these genes have a potential role in the replicated ecological diversifications.<br />
<br />Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-58312634435809251122019-12-01T20:57:00.000+00:002020-04-14T21:42:26.278+01:00New paper: telomere lengths differ between parity modes<span style="color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">We have a new collaborative paper out with Pat Monaghan and the telomeres lab. The dynamics of telomeres in lizards are really poorly understood. Here we brought together an evolutionary perspective, genetic and pedigree information, and an analysis of telomeres. Also cover image, a beautiful oviparous female and her clutch.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">McLennan, D., Recknagel, H., Elmer, K.R. and Monaghan, P., 2019. Distinct telomere differences within a reproductively bimodal common lizard population. </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Functional Ecology</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">33</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">(10), pp.1917-1927.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Open access full article <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2435.13408" target="_blank">here</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJr-vozLzJ2zizD8mzXn5p26YmFKdkrhv20WHSSh9Wh_gvg_Hk-MtFuOCNmyCFZwSmN6Aaq6Q7Ue4q7kYGeP4c4XV8x75pcDbwBP2BDgLXeN41YH3wJqC4QWM4Hi9gl7325L9vC8_Ww/s1600/IMG_4326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJr-vozLzJ2zizD8mzXn5p26YmFKdkrhv20WHSSh9Wh_gvg_Hk-MtFuOCNmyCFZwSmN6Aaq6Q7Ue4q7kYGeP4c4XV8x75pcDbwBP2BDgLXeN41YH3wJqC4QWM4Hi9gl7325L9vC8_Ww/s320/IMG_4326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">ABSTRACT</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">Different strategies of reproductive mode, either oviparity (egg‐laying) or viviparity (live‐bearing), will be associated with a range of other life‐history differences that are expected to affect patterns of ageing and longevity. It is usually difficult to compare the effects of alternative reproductive modes because of evolutionary and ecological divergence. However, the very rare exemplars of reproductive bimodality, in which different modes exist within a single species, offer an opportunity for robust and controlled comparisons.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">One trait of interest that could be associated with life history, ageing and longevity is the length of the telomeres, which form protective caps at the chromosome ends and are generally considered a good indicator of cellular health. The shortening of these telomeres has been linked to stressful conditions; therefore, it is possible that differing reproductive costs will influence patterns of telomere loss. This is important because a number of studies have linked a shorter telomere length to reduced survival. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">Here, we have studied maternal and offspring telomere dynamics in the common lizard (</span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "Open Sans", icomoon, sans-serif;">Zootoca vivipara</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">). Our study has focused on a population where oviparous and viviparous individuals co‐occur in the same habitat and occasionally interbreed to form admixed individuals. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">While viviparity confers many advantages for offspring, it might also incur substantial costs for the mother, for example require more energy. Therefore, we predicted that viviparous mothers would have relatively shorter telomeres than oviparous mothers, with admixed mothers having intermediate telomere lengths. There is thought to be a heritable component to telomere length; therefore, we also hypothesized that offspring would follow the same pattern as the mothers. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(28, 29, 30); color: #1c1d1e; font-family: "open sans" , "icomoon" , sans-serif;">Contrary to our predictions, the viviparous mothers and offspring had the longest telomeres, and the oviparous mothers and offspring had the shortest telomeres. The differing telomere lengths may have evolved as an effect of the life‐history divergence between the reproductive modes, for example due to the increased growth rate that viviparous individuals may undergo to reach a similar size at reproduction.</span>Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-18367953688939379462019-07-17T14:24:00.003+01:002020-04-14T21:24:23.644+01:00fully funded PhD position available in charr population genomics<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A competitive fully-funded PhD studentship is be available to study</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">adaptation and population genomics of Scotland's most variable fish</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the Arctic charr -- with Colin Adams and Kathryn Elmer at the University</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">of Glasgow, Scotland. We are looking for an enthusiastic evolutionary</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">biologist to join our team!</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Project: The lake-dwelling salmonid fish, the Arctic charr (Salvelinus</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">alpinus) is highly diverse both in phenotype and genotype. This takes</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the form of substantial variation within and between lakes; in some</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">places the latter being expressed as eco-morphologically distinct</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and reproductively isolated sympatric polymorphisms. In addition the</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">species is of high conservation value in the UK. This project will</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">use high-resolution population genomic techniques to resolve questions</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">about the phylogenetic similarities between allopatric and sympatric</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">populations to inform the taxonomic position of the species and to help</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">identify units that may require conservation protection.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Samples from a wide range of populations from across Scotland and</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">outgroups are already available, and there may be the opportunity to</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">collect more.</span><br />
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</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The project is supported in part by Scottish Natural Heritage and the</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">outcomes of this PhD will have direct relevance for national freshwater</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">conservation and management.</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Funding: The project is fully funded for 3 years: stipend (salary)</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">of pounds 14,500 per year, university fees at UK/EU rate, and consumables</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">costs. **Anyone from the EU/UK is eligible for the full funding**</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The successful candidate for this project is likely to be someone with a</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">strong theoretical background in evolution and/or population genetics and</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">who can show evidence of practical laboratory and analytical experience</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">in an appropriate field.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You will join a collegial and motivated research team with PhD</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">students, postdocs and technician support studying evolution and</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">adaptation in natural environments, especially with a focus on fishes</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and herps. Prof. Adams studies fish biology and trophic ecology and is</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Director of the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(SCENE) on Loch Lomond. Dr. Elmer is interested in the genetics of</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">biodiversity and ecological diversification and based in the Evolutionary</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Analysis Group. Both faculty are in the Institute of Biodiversity,</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, which is part of the College of</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow,</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Scotland. You can find more about our activities and interests here:</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/staff/kathrynelmer/</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">http://elmerlab.blogspot.com</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/staff/colinadams/ </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">project is also co-supervised by Colin Bean (Scottish Natural Heritage)</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and will work closely with collaborators in Ireland (P. Prodohl)</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The University of Glasgow ranks in the world's top 100 universities and</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">IBAHCM is an outstanding research institution with many opportunities</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">for collaboration and discussion in a supportive and productive</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">environment. Glasgow is a lively cultural city on the doorstep of the</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">beautifully rugged Scottish Highlands.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Deadline for applications is 14 August 2019</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All applications must be made through the website strictly by the deadline.</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">start date 1 Oct 2019</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please find more details and the application here</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/the-adaptive-diversity-of-arctic-charr-salvelinus-alpinus-in-scotland/?p110955</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Informal inquiries to Kathryn Elmer or Colin Adams in advance of the </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">deadline are welcome.</span><br />
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Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-11192703264629585602019-06-17T11:17:00.000+01:002019-06-17T11:17:29.398+01:00Welcome to new summer interns!We welcome our new summer interns!<br />
Magdalena Butowska has just finished first year and will be working on molecular lab work of fish mtDNAs, morphometrics and plasticity;<br />
Robbie Hussein has just finished second year and will be working on analysing whether pregnancy affects the running speed of lizards;<br />
Giuditta Magian won a School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Vacation Scholarship after her third year and is busy working on Team Lizard-catching down in the Alps;<br />
Tie Caribe just finished fourth year (whoop!) and was awarded an FSBI internship with Colin Adams. He will be doing some of his lab work up in the roof labs;<br />
John Smout finished his Masters in Biotech last year, having done a project with us in the field then, and is also busy with Team Lizard this summer before he starts his PhD with MVLS in the autumn.<br />
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<br />Elmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-241203531967465224.post-84617789224330562422019-06-17T09:29:00.000+01:002020-04-14T21:24:10.295+01:00New paper: effect of conservation refugia on biodiversityWhat is the impact of the 'refuge' or 'ark population' conservation measure on biodiversity? Masters/Honours student Peter Koene along with PhD student Marco Crotti have completed a project on how morphologies and plasticity change in new habitats and after population bottlenecks, studying powan or European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) here in Scotland.<br />
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Full paper is available <a href="http://em.rdcu.be/wf/click?upn=lMZy1lernSJ7apc5DgYM8bw7ozrQJjviN2IjudlbMgg-3D_umQd-2FDGGtkF2K76nf3C6qI6Ujx4v-2B7SVsV1BHDlJXeE1u4ey1geCAVldFgM7hIVyjSykG260lmWILU8-2BHpDp02YqBoid-2Fbivrj1nOfwxp80SDNAORECpfxAR0QtMFmMIrIq739TuHYyktCnAxyIvL3jPUORF3j5uVvU1DGcRj2KLzqg3aVGxZyckxXUmCY0GOIqfYUfFVilMm-2FnIgLRHc9Y0wrvvZUzLHOCcJtDzlbfxXUs95Dsg3YoDqHDZ9nnYXys66uejDl-2FMe56HBW8KHXGvgMYQTB2062XTL-2BZ8-2BKU-3D" target="_blank">here</a><br />
"Differential selection pressures result in a rapid divergence of donor and refuge populations of a high conservation value freshwater fish <i>Coregonus lavaretus</i> (L.)"<br />
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J. Peter Koene, Marco Crotti, Kathryn R Elmer, Colin E Adams<br />
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Abstract<br />
As a conservation measure to protect European whitefish in Scotland, a translocated popu-lation was established in Loch Sloy from Loch Lomond stock between 1988 and 1990. Previous study has assumed that current morphological differences between adults from the donor and refuge lakes have arisen through phenotypic plasticity. The present study compared the morphologies of whitefish at three life stages: alevins and fry raised in a common garden, and wild-caught adults. Alevins were clearly distinguishable by their lake of origin. Loch Sloy alevins were distinguishable also by family, although this was not the case for Loch Lomond. Differential allometric trajectories facilitated the persistence of morphological differences associated with lake of origin through the fry stage into adult-hood. Overall, the whitefish from Loch Lomond displayed morphologies associated with pelagic feeders, while the more robust heads and ventrally positioned snouts of the Loch Sloy whitefish conformed to expectations for more benthic feeding habits. That differences between populations were present not only in wild adults, but also in alevins and fry from a common garden setup, strongly suggests that the divergence between populations is due to inheritance mechanisms, rather than differential plastic responses, and questions the effec-tiveness of translocation as a conservation measure.<br />
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Keywords Whitefish · Conservation · Translocation · Divergence · MorphologyElmer Labhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381222648662603508noreply@blogger.com