Mitochondria play a key role in lipid metabolism,and mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)mutations are thus considered to affect obesity susceptibility by altering oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial function.In this stud...Mitochondria play a key role in lipid metabolism,and mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)mutations are thus considered to affect obesity susceptibility by altering oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial function.In this study,we investigate mtDNA variants that may affect obesity risk in 2877 Han Chinese individuals from 3 independent populations.The association analysis of 16 basal mtDNA haplogroups with body mass index,waist circumference,and waist-to-hip ratio reveals that only haplogroup M7 is significantly negatively correlated with all three adiposity-related anthropometric traits in the overall cohort,verified by the analysis of a single population,i.e.,the Zhengzhou population.Furthermore,subhaplogroup analysis suggests that M7b1a1 is the most likely haplogroup associated with a decreased obesity risk,and the variation T12811C(causing Y159H in ND5)harbored in M7b1a1 may be the most likely candidate for altering the mitochondrial function.Specifically,we find that proportionally more nonsynonymous mutations accumulate in M7b1a1 carriers,indicating that M7b1a1 is either under positive selection or subject to a relaxation of selective constraints.We also find that nuclear variants,especially in DACT2 and PIEZO1,may functionally interact with M7b1a1.展开更多
Animals deploy diverse color-based defenses against predators,including crypsis,mimicry,aposematism,and masquerade.While crypsis,mimicry,aposematism have been extensively studied,the strategy of masquerade-where organ...Animals deploy diverse color-based defenses against predators,including crypsis,mimicry,aposematism,and masquerade.While crypsis,mimicry,aposematism have been extensively studied,the strategy of masquerade-where organisms imitate inedible or inanimate objects such as leaves,twigs,stones,and bird droppings-remains comparatively underexplored,particularly in adult butterflies.The Indian oakleaf butterfly(Kallima inachus)exemplifies this phenomenon,with its wings resembling dead leaves,providing a classic example of natural selection.Although it has long been postulated that these butterflies evade predation by being misidentified as dead leaves,direct experimental evidence is lacking.In the current study,using domestic chicks as predators,we manipulated their prior experience with dead leaves(model objects)while maintaining constant exposure to butterflies to test whether dead-leaf masquerade provides a protective advantage by preventing recognition.Results showed a marked delay in the initiation of attacks by chicks familiar with dead leaves compared to those with no prior exposure or those exposed to visually altered leaves.Chicks with prior dead-leaf experience required a similar amount of time to attack the butterflies as they did to attack dead leaves.These findings provide the first empirical demonstration of dead-leaf masquerade in Kallima butterflies,shedding light on its evolutionary significance.Our study highlights the effectiveness of masquerade in inducing the misclassification of butterflies as inanimate objects,showcasing the precise mimicry achieved by these organisms when viewed in isolation from the model objects.This study advances our understanding of the evolution of masquerade and its role as a potent antipredator strategy in nature.展开更多
Darwin’s theory of evolution believes that biological evolution is a process of natural selection. This theory has been supported by much evidence, but the internal biological mechanism is not clear. Here, I elaborat...Darwin’s theory of evolution believes that biological evolution is a process of natural selection. This theory has been supported by much evidence, but the internal biological mechanism is not clear. Here, I elaborate on the cycle of potassium resources on the earth and the biological utilization and efficiency, which may be the core mechanism of natural selection and affect the evolution of organisms and the development of human society.展开更多
In the field of anthropology, the uniparerttally inherited Y chromosome has long been used to trace the paternal lineage of the populations and to understand differences in migration and population genetics between ma...In the field of anthropology, the uniparerttally inherited Y chromosome has long been used to trace the paternal lineage of the populations and to understand differences in migration and population genetics between males and females, with additional advantages of small effective population size, suf- ficient markers, and population-specific haplotype distribution （Jobling and Tyler-Smith, 1995; Jin and Su, 2000; Underhill et al., 2000）. Many such population studies have rested on the assumption that all the Y chromosome markers in the non- recombination regions are selectively neutral （Jobling and Tyler-Smith, 2003）.展开更多
In this paper, we analyze variation in spectral reflectance and color pattern among populations to demonstrate dra-matic divergence between four distinct morphs of the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. We also an...In this paper, we analyze variation in spectral reflectance and color pattern among populations to demonstrate dra-matic divergence between four distinct morphs of the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. We also analyze genetic diver-gence in d-loop mtDNA sequences between populations. We then use coalescent-based simulations to demonstrate that the high levels of observed phenotypic divergence are not consistent with levels of genetic divergence expected under neutral drift among populations, implying an important role for selection in driving divergence between these populations .展开更多
Sexual dichromatism represents a major form of phenotypic differentiation between the sexes in birds,and its evolution is likely shaped by the interplay between sexual and natural selection.The genus Ficedula,widely d...Sexual dichromatism represents a major form of phenotypic differentiation between the sexes in birds,and its evolution is likely shaped by the interplay between sexual and natural selection.The genus Ficedula,widely distributed across Eurasia,exhibits pronounced interspecific variation in both sexual dichromatism and migratory behavior,making it an ideal study system for investigating the evolutionary patterns and drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.In this study,we conducted a phylogenetic comparative analysis of plumage complexity and sexual dichromatism across 32 Ficedula species.We further explored how life-history traits influence the evolution of sexual dichromatism.Our results reveal a strong positive correlation between male plumage complexity and the degree of sexual dichromatism,with males evolving plumage complexity at significantly faster rates than females.Migratory species exhibit significantly higher levels of dichromatism.Furthermore,compared to monochromatic species,sexually dichromatic species are characterized by higher latitudinal occurrence,broader geographic distributions,and greater flight capacity.These findings demonstrated how sexual and natural selection jointly drive evolution of sexual dichromatism in Ficedula within phylogenetic constraints,advancing our understanding of the evolutionary drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.展开更多
Phylogenetic analysis and relative-rate test of 9 Clupeidae fishes were performed using the cytochrome b(cytb)gene sequence data.Based on Kimura-2-Parameter(K2P)distance,bootstrapped NJ tree(1000 replicates)was genera...Phylogenetic analysis and relative-rate test of 9 Clupeidae fishes were performed using the cytochrome b(cytb)gene sequence data.Based on Kimura-2-Parameter(K2P)distance,bootstrapped NJ tree(1000 replicates)was generated from these 9 cytb gene sequences of Clupeidae fishes.Three species of genus Sardinops are monophyletic group,2 species of genus Clupea are monophyletic group,and their bootstrap values are both 100%.Sardinella aurita and Sardinella maderensis are monophyletic group,their bootstrap value reached or exceed 50%.Spratttts spratttts which is a species of genus Sprattus,has a monophyletic origin with genus Clupea,their bootstrap value was 100%.The number of synonymous nucleotide substitution per synonymous site(dS)and the number of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution per nonsynonymous site(dN)of cytb gene among Clupeidae fishes were calculated.The ratios of dN/dS were significantly less than l by Z-test,which suggest that purifying seiection may operate on the cytb gene for strong functional constraints.Relative-rate test which was based on Tajima's 1D and 2D tests suggested that molecular clock held within Clupeidae fishes,and the divergent time ranged from 0.12 to 13.45 million years within Clupeidae fishes.展开更多
Endothelial PAS domain protein 1（EPAS1）, also called hypoxia-inducible factor-2, is a key regulatory factor of hypoxic responses and plays an essential role in high-altitude adaptation in mammalian species. In this ...Endothelial PAS domain protein 1（EPAS1）, also called hypoxia-inducible factor-2, is a key regulatory factor of hypoxic responses and plays an essential role in high-altitude adaptation in mammalian species. In this study, polymorphisms of EPAS1 were detected in 217 individuals from 2 Tibetan pig populations and 3 low-altitude pig breeds by DNA pooling, PCR-SSCP, PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing methods. A total of 14 synonymous polymorphisms were identified in the coding region. The analysis suggested that SNP1（G963A）, SNP7（C1632T）, SNP10（G1929A） and SNP11（G1947A） showed potential association with high-altitude environment because of their particular variation patterns in Tibetan pigs. Linkage disequilibrium（LD） of these SNPs was analyzed. One common LD block including 5 SNPs clustering in exon 12 was identified in all studied pig populations. Haplotype H1（AGGTC） in LD block was dominant in Tibetan pigs（76.6 and 74.2% in Linzhi（LZ） and Chayu（CY） pigs, respectively） and segregated at higher frequency than that in low-altitude pig breeds（52.3, 58.7 and 56.2% in Wuzhishan（WZS）, Min（M） and Laiwu（LW） pigs, respectively）, indicating that H1 may relate to adaptation to high altitude in Tibetan pigs. These findings raise hope that EPAS1 gene can be a candidate gene that involved in adaptation of high altitude in Tibetan pigs.展开更多
Evolution,adaptation and selection always exist in the evolutionary process of any species,which is the result of interrelation and interaction between living things and their environments,and the incarnation of natur...Evolution,adaptation and selection always exist in the evolutionary process of any species,which is the result of interrelation and interaction between living things and their environments,and the incarnation of natural laws in the evolutionary process of any species. Only if accurately understanding their connotation and interrelation among them,taking the evolution of living things as the line with centralizing the human sustainable development,dialectically unifying the active adaptation of the human being to their environments and oriented selection of nature and the society to species,we can acquire a better understanding of evolution of living things and a deeper understanding of the human sustainable development under biologically evolutionary background and uphold the true Darwinism,modern evolutionary point of view and the concept of current sustainable development in theory and in practice.展开更多
Synonymous codon usage pattern presumably reflects gene expression optimization as a result of molecular evolution. Though much attention has been paid to various model organisms ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes...Synonymous codon usage pattern presumably reflects gene expression optimization as a result of molecular evolution. Though much attention has been paid to various model organisms ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, codon usage has yet been extensively investigated for model legume Medicago truncatula. In present study, 39 531 available coding sequences （CDSs） from M. truncatula were examined for codon usage bias （CUB）. Based on analyses including neutrality plots, effective number of codons plots, and correlations between optimal codons frequency and codon adaptation index, we conclude that natural selection is a major driving force in M. truncatula CUB. We have identified 30 optimal codons encoding 18 amino acids based on relative synonymous codon usage. These optimal codons characteristically end with A or T, except for AGG and TTG encoding arginine and leucine respectively. Optimal codon usage is positively correlated with the GC content at three nucleotide positions of codons and the GC content of CDSs. The abundance of expressed sequence tag is a proxy for gene expression intensity in the legume, but has no relatedness with either CDS length or GC content. Collectively, we unravel the synonymous codon usage pattern in M. truncatula, which may serve as the valuable information on genetic engineering of the model legume and forage crop.展开更多
In the past decade there has been a profusion of studies highlighting covariation between individual differences in stress physiology and behavioural profiles, here called personalities. Such individual differences in...In the past decade there has been a profusion of studies highlighting covariation between individual differences in stress physiology and behavioural profiles, here called personalities. Such individual differences in ways of coping with stress are relevant both in biomedicine, since different personalities may experience a different stress and disease vulnerability, and in behavioural ecology, since their adaptive value and evolutionary maintenance are the subject of debate. However, the precise way in which individual stress differences and personalities are linked is unclear. Here we provide an updated overview of this covariation across different species and taxa, consider its functional significance and present working hypotheses for how behavioural and physiological responses to stress might be causally linked, affecting life-history traits such as dispersal and life-span [Current Zoology 56 （6）： 728-740, 2010].展开更多
The role of female sex pheromones in natural selection, particularly as a means for species recognition to avoid the generation of hybrid offspring with low fitness, has been widely explored and is generally accepted ...The role of female sex pheromones in natural selection, particularly as a means for species recognition to avoid the generation of hybrid offspring with low fitness, has been widely explored and is generally accepted by scholars. However, the significance of sex pheromones in shaping mate choice （sexual selection） and in competition over breeding resources （social se- lection） has been largely ignored. The effect of sexual selection on sex pheromones as a sexually dimorphic signaling trait has been discounted because the amount of pheromone released by females is typically minute, while the role of sex pheromones in competition over breeding resources （other than mates） has not yet been considered. As a result of natural selection, variation in sex pheromones among females is expected to be low, and males are not expected to choose their mates among phero- mone-releasing conspecific females. Sexual selection, on the other hand, should drive the increase in pheromone variance among females, and males are expected to choose females based on this variation. Moreover, social selection resulting from more general social interactions, for example competition among females for breeding sites and food, should also promote variance among female sex pheromones. Here, we review the cttrrent evidence for each of the three selection processes acting on sex pheromones of female moths as an advertising trait. We suggest that the three selection types are not mutually exclusive but rather act together to promote different fimess components in diverse ecological situations展开更多
After more than one hundred fifty years of the publication of On the Origin of Species by Darwin, scientists are still arguing on the relative importance of mutation and natural selection, on the driving force of orga...After more than one hundred fifty years of the publication of On the Origin of Species by Darwin, scientists are still arguing on the relative importance of mutation and natural selection, on the driving force of organismal evolution, on microevo- lution and macroevolution, etc. Such periodically repeated debates appeared to have introduced more chaos than musings. What happened and why？ Have we really considered our views, opinions and arguments under the big picture of evolution before pos- ing the questions？ Or are we talking past each other？ We do need some reflections. While we believe that the current evolutionary theory is doing fine, perhaps a refinement or re-encapsulation of its knowledge framework can help promote a better understanding of the evolutionary science as a whole and blow offthe mist over the big picture [Current Zoology 61 （1）： 217-220, 2015 ].展开更多
Figs and fig pollinators are one of the few classic textbook examples of obligate pollination mutualism.The specific dependence of fig pollinators on the relatively safe living environment with sufficient food sources...Figs and fig pollinators are one of the few classic textbook examples of obligate pollination mutualism.The specific dependence of fig pollinators on the relatively safe living environment with sufficient food sources in the enclosed fig syconia implies that they are vulnerable to habitat changes.However,there is still no extensive genomic evidence to reveal the evolutionary footprint of this long-term mutually beneficial symbiosis in fig pollinators.In fig syconia,there are also non-pollinator species.The non-pollinator species differ in their evolutionary and life histories from pollinators.We conducted comparative analyses on 11 newly sequenced fig wasp genomes and one previously published genome.The pollinators colonized the figs approximately 66.9 million years ago,consistent with the origin of host figs.Compared with nonpollinators,many more genes in pollinators were subject to relaxed selection.Seven genes were absent in pollinators in response to environmental stress and immune activation.Pollinators had more streamlined gene repertoires in the innate immune system,chemosensory toolbox,and detoxification system.Our results provide genomic evidence for the differentiation between pollinators and nonpollinators.The data suggest that owing to the long-term adaptation to the fig,some genes related to functions no longer required are absent in pollinators.展开更多
Tibeto-Burman(TB)people have endeavored to adapt to the hypoxic,cold,and high-UV high-altitude environments in the Tibetan Plateau and complex disease exposures in lowland rainforests since the late Paleolithic period...Tibeto-Burman(TB)people have endeavored to adapt to the hypoxic,cold,and high-UV high-altitude environments in the Tibetan Plateau and complex disease exposures in lowland rainforests since the late Paleolithic period.However,the full landscape of genetic history and biological adaptation of geographically diverse TB-speaking people,as well as their interaction mechanism,remain unknown.Here,we generate a whole-genome meta-database of 500 individuals from 39 TB-speaking populations and present a comprehensive landscape of genetic diversity,admixture history,and differentiated adaptative features of geographically different TB-speaking people.We identify genetic differentiation related to geography and language among TB-speaking people,consistent with their differentiated admixture process with incoming or indigenous ancestral source populations.A robust genetic connection between the Tibetan-Yi corridor and the ancient Yellow River people supports their Northern China origin hypothesis.We finally report substructure-related differentiated biological adaptative signatures between highland Tibetans and Loloish speakers.Adaptative signatures associated with the physical pigmentation(EDAR and SLC24A5)and metabolism(ALDH9A1)are identified in Loloish people,which differed from the high-altitude adaptative genetic architecture in Tibetan.TB-related genomic resources provide new insights into the genetic basis of biological adaptation and better reference for the anthropologically informed sampling design in biomedical and genomic cohort research.展开更多
The evolution of light-skin pigmentation among Eurasians is considered as an adaptation to the high-latitude environments.East Asians are ideal populations for studying skin color evolution because of the complex envi...The evolution of light-skin pigmentation among Eurasians is considered as an adaptation to the high-latitude environments.East Asians are ideal populations for studying skin color evolution because of the complex environment of East Asia.Here,we report a strong selection signal for the pigmentation gene phenylalanine hydroxylase(PAH)in light-skinned Han Chinese individuals.The intron mutation rs10778203 in PAH is enriched in East Asians and is significantly associated with skin color of the back of the hand in Han Chinese males(P<0.05).In vitro luciferase and transcription factor binding assays show that the ancestral allele of rs10778203 could bind to SMAD2 and has a significant enhancer activity for PAH.However,the derived T allele(the major allele in East Asians)of rs10778203 decreases the binding activity of transcription factors and enhancer activity.Meanwhile,the derived T allele of rs10778203 shows a weaker ultraviolet radiation response in A375 cells and zebrafish embryos.Furthermore,rs10778203 decreases melanin production in transgenic zebrafish embryos after ultraviolet B(UVB)treatment.Collectively,PAH is a potential pigmentation gene that regulates skin tanning ability.Natural selection has enriched the adaptive allele,resulting in weakened tanning ability in East Asians,suggesting a unique genetic mechanism for evolutionary skin lightening in East Asians.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32270670,32288101,32271186,and 32200482)the National Basic Research Program of China(2015FY111700)the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2019-I2M-5-066).
文摘Mitochondria play a key role in lipid metabolism,and mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)mutations are thus considered to affect obesity susceptibility by altering oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial function.In this study,we investigate mtDNA variants that may affect obesity risk in 2877 Han Chinese individuals from 3 independent populations.The association analysis of 16 basal mtDNA haplogroups with body mass index,waist circumference,and waist-to-hip ratio reveals that only haplogroup M7 is significantly negatively correlated with all three adiposity-related anthropometric traits in the overall cohort,verified by the analysis of a single population,i.e.,the Zhengzhou population.Furthermore,subhaplogroup analysis suggests that M7b1a1 is the most likely haplogroup associated with a decreased obesity risk,and the variation T12811C(causing Y159H in ND5)harbored in M7b1a1 may be the most likely candidate for altering the mitochondrial function.Specifically,we find that proportionally more nonsynonymous mutations accumulate in M7b1a1 carriers,indicating that M7b1a1 is either under positive selection or subject to a relaxation of selective constraints.We also find that nuclear variants,especially in DACT2 and PIEZO1,may functionally interact with M7b1a1.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32270531,32370530)Singapore Ministry of Education AcRF Tier 1 Grants(A-0008615-00,A-8001085-00-00)。
文摘Animals deploy diverse color-based defenses against predators,including crypsis,mimicry,aposematism,and masquerade.While crypsis,mimicry,aposematism have been extensively studied,the strategy of masquerade-where organisms imitate inedible or inanimate objects such as leaves,twigs,stones,and bird droppings-remains comparatively underexplored,particularly in adult butterflies.The Indian oakleaf butterfly(Kallima inachus)exemplifies this phenomenon,with its wings resembling dead leaves,providing a classic example of natural selection.Although it has long been postulated that these butterflies evade predation by being misidentified as dead leaves,direct experimental evidence is lacking.In the current study,using domestic chicks as predators,we manipulated their prior experience with dead leaves(model objects)while maintaining constant exposure to butterflies to test whether dead-leaf masquerade provides a protective advantage by preventing recognition.Results showed a marked delay in the initiation of attacks by chicks familiar with dead leaves compared to those with no prior exposure or those exposed to visually altered leaves.Chicks with prior dead-leaf experience required a similar amount of time to attack the butterflies as they did to attack dead leaves.These findings provide the first empirical demonstration of dead-leaf masquerade in Kallima butterflies,shedding light on its evolutionary significance.Our study highlights the effectiveness of masquerade in inducing the misclassification of butterflies as inanimate objects,showcasing the precise mimicry achieved by these organisms when viewed in isolation from the model objects.This study advances our understanding of the evolution of masquerade and its role as a potent antipredator strategy in nature.
文摘Darwin’s theory of evolution believes that biological evolution is a process of natural selection. This theory has been supported by much evidence, but the internal biological mechanism is not clear. Here, I elaborate on the cycle of potassium resources on the earth and the biological utilization and efficiency, which may be the core mechanism of natural selection and affect the evolution of organisms and the development of human society.
基金supported by the National Excellent Youth Science Foundation of China (No. 31222030)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 31071098 and 91131002)+2 种基金the Shanghai Rising-Star Program (No. 12QA1400300)the Shanghai Commission of Education Research Innovation Key Project (No. 11zz04)the Shanghai Professional Development Funding (No. 2010001)
文摘In the field of anthropology, the uniparerttally inherited Y chromosome has long been used to trace the paternal lineage of the populations and to understand differences in migration and population genetics between males and females, with additional advantages of small effective population size, suf- ficient markers, and population-specific haplotype distribution （Jobling and Tyler-Smith, 1995; Jin and Su, 2000; Underhill et al., 2000）. Many such population studies have rested on the assumption that all the Y chromosome markers in the non- recombination regions are selectively neutral （Jobling and Tyler-Smith, 2003）.
基金We are grateful to C. Aguilar, J. Cor-dova, and K. Siu Ting for their help at the Museo de Historia Natural, San Marcos, Peru, and K. Ramirez for help at the Ministry of Natural Resources. We thank E. Twomey for ad- vice and discussion. This research was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation （IOB-0544010）, the National Geographic Society （7658-04）, and an East Carolina Univer-sity Research and Development Grant （2006）. Research per-mits were obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources （DGFFS） in Lima, Peru （Authorizations No. 050-2006-INRENA-IFFS-DCB, No. 067-2007-INRENA-IFFS-DCB, No. 005-2008-INRENA-IFFS-DCB, CITES 11076）.
文摘In this paper, we analyze variation in spectral reflectance and color pattern among populations to demonstrate dra-matic divergence between four distinct morphs of the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. We also analyze genetic diver-gence in d-loop mtDNA sequences between populations. We then use coalescent-based simulations to demonstrate that the high levels of observed phenotypic divergence are not consistent with levels of genetic divergence expected under neutral drift among populations, implying an important role for selection in driving divergence between these populations .
基金support was provided by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(Grant 31772444 and 31471987)。
文摘Sexual dichromatism represents a major form of phenotypic differentiation between the sexes in birds,and its evolution is likely shaped by the interplay between sexual and natural selection.The genus Ficedula,widely distributed across Eurasia,exhibits pronounced interspecific variation in both sexual dichromatism and migratory behavior,making it an ideal study system for investigating the evolutionary patterns and drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.In this study,we conducted a phylogenetic comparative analysis of plumage complexity and sexual dichromatism across 32 Ficedula species.We further explored how life-history traits influence the evolution of sexual dichromatism.Our results reveal a strong positive correlation between male plumage complexity and the degree of sexual dichromatism,with males evolving plumage complexity at significantly faster rates than females.Migratory species exhibit significantly higher levels of dichromatism.Furthermore,compared to monochromatic species,sexually dichromatic species are characterized by higher latitudinal occurrence,broader geographic distributions,and greater flight capacity.These findings demonstrated how sexual and natural selection jointly drive evolution of sexual dichromatism in Ficedula within phylogenetic constraints,advancing our understanding of the evolutionary drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.
文摘Phylogenetic analysis and relative-rate test of 9 Clupeidae fishes were performed using the cytochrome b(cytb)gene sequence data.Based on Kimura-2-Parameter(K2P)distance,bootstrapped NJ tree(1000 replicates)was generated from these 9 cytb gene sequences of Clupeidae fishes.Three species of genus Sardinops are monophyletic group,2 species of genus Clupea are monophyletic group,and their bootstrap values are both 100%.Sardinella aurita and Sardinella maderensis are monophyletic group,their bootstrap value reached or exceed 50%.Spratttts spratttts which is a species of genus Sprattus,has a monophyletic origin with genus Clupea,their bootstrap value was 100%.The number of synonymous nucleotide substitution per synonymous site(dS)and the number of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution per nonsynonymous site(dN)of cytb gene among Clupeidae fishes were calculated.The ratios of dN/dS were significantly less than l by Z-test,which suggest that purifying seiection may operate on the cytb gene for strong functional constraints.Relative-rate test which was based on Tajima's 1D and 2D tests suggested that molecular clock held within Clupeidae fishes,and the divergent time ranged from 0.12 to 13.45 million years within Clupeidae fishes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31272403)the Determination of Molecular Characterization for Genetically Modified Organism,China(2013ZX08012-002)the Livestock and Poultry Sharing Platform in China(2013)
文摘Endothelial PAS domain protein 1（EPAS1）, also called hypoxia-inducible factor-2, is a key regulatory factor of hypoxic responses and plays an essential role in high-altitude adaptation in mammalian species. In this study, polymorphisms of EPAS1 were detected in 217 individuals from 2 Tibetan pig populations and 3 low-altitude pig breeds by DNA pooling, PCR-SSCP, PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing methods. A total of 14 synonymous polymorphisms were identified in the coding region. The analysis suggested that SNP1（G963A）, SNP7（C1632T）, SNP10（G1929A） and SNP11（G1947A） showed potential association with high-altitude environment because of their particular variation patterns in Tibetan pigs. Linkage disequilibrium（LD） of these SNPs was analyzed. One common LD block including 5 SNPs clustering in exon 12 was identified in all studied pig populations. Haplotype H1（AGGTC） in LD block was dominant in Tibetan pigs（76.6 and 74.2% in Linzhi（LZ） and Chayu（CY） pigs, respectively） and segregated at higher frequency than that in low-altitude pig breeds（52.3, 58.7 and 56.2% in Wuzhishan（WZS）, Min（M） and Laiwu（LW） pigs, respectively）, indicating that H1 may relate to adaptation to high altitude in Tibetan pigs. These findings raise hope that EPAS1 gene can be a candidate gene that involved in adaptation of high altitude in Tibetan pigs.
基金Supported by Science Foundation of Chuxiong Normal University(06YJRC19)Key Subject Construction of Chuxiong Normal University (05YJJSXK03 )National Natural Science Foundation of China (30760040)~~
文摘Evolution,adaptation and selection always exist in the evolutionary process of any species,which is the result of interrelation and interaction between living things and their environments,and the incarnation of natural laws in the evolutionary process of any species. Only if accurately understanding their connotation and interrelation among them,taking the evolution of living things as the line with centralizing the human sustainable development,dialectically unifying the active adaptation of the human being to their environments and oriented selection of nature and the society to species,we can acquire a better understanding of evolution of living things and a deeper understanding of the human sustainable development under biologically evolutionary background and uphold the true Darwinism,modern evolutionary point of view and the concept of current sustainable development in theory and in practice.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2014CB138702)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31502001)
文摘Synonymous codon usage pattern presumably reflects gene expression optimization as a result of molecular evolution. Though much attention has been paid to various model organisms ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, codon usage has yet been extensively investigated for model legume Medicago truncatula. In present study, 39 531 available coding sequences （CDSs） from M. truncatula were examined for codon usage bias （CUB）. Based on analyses including neutrality plots, effective number of codons plots, and correlations between optimal codons frequency and codon adaptation index, we conclude that natural selection is a major driving force in M. truncatula CUB. We have identified 30 optimal codons encoding 18 amino acids based on relative synonymous codon usage. These optimal codons characteristically end with A or T, except for AGG and TTG encoding arginine and leucine respectively. Optimal codon usage is positively correlated with the GC content at three nucleotide positions of codons and the GC content of CDSs. The abundance of expressed sequence tag is a proxy for gene expression intensity in the legume, but has no relatedness with either CDS length or GC content. Collectively, we unravel the synonymous codon usage pattern in M. truncatula, which may serve as the valuable information on genetic engineering of the model legume and forage crop.
文摘In the past decade there has been a profusion of studies highlighting covariation between individual differences in stress physiology and behavioural profiles, here called personalities. Such individual differences in ways of coping with stress are relevant both in biomedicine, since different personalities may experience a different stress and disease vulnerability, and in behavioural ecology, since their adaptive value and evolutionary maintenance are the subject of debate. However, the precise way in which individual stress differences and personalities are linked is unclear. Here we provide an updated overview of this covariation across different species and taxa, consider its functional significance and present working hypotheses for how behavioural and physiological responses to stress might be causally linked, affecting life-history traits such as dispersal and life-span [Current Zoology 56 （6）： 728-740, 2010].
文摘The role of female sex pheromones in natural selection, particularly as a means for species recognition to avoid the generation of hybrid offspring with low fitness, has been widely explored and is generally accepted by scholars. However, the significance of sex pheromones in shaping mate choice （sexual selection） and in competition over breeding resources （social se- lection） has been largely ignored. The effect of sexual selection on sex pheromones as a sexually dimorphic signaling trait has been discounted because the amount of pheromone released by females is typically minute, while the role of sex pheromones in competition over breeding resources （other than mates） has not yet been considered. As a result of natural selection, variation in sex pheromones among females is expected to be low, and males are not expected to choose their mates among phero- mone-releasing conspecific females. Sexual selection, on the other hand, should drive the increase in pheromone variance among females, and males are expected to choose females based on this variation. Moreover, social selection resulting from more general social interactions, for example competition among females for breeding sites and food, should also promote variance among female sex pheromones. Here, we review the cttrrent evidence for each of the three selection processes acting on sex pheromones of female moths as an advertising trait. We suggest that the three selection types are not mutually exclusive but rather act together to promote different fimess components in diverse ecological situations
文摘After more than one hundred fifty years of the publication of On the Origin of Species by Darwin, scientists are still arguing on the relative importance of mutation and natural selection, on the driving force of organismal evolution, on microevo- lution and macroevolution, etc. Such periodically repeated debates appeared to have introduced more chaos than musings. What happened and why？ Have we really considered our views, opinions and arguments under the big picture of evolution before pos- ing the questions？ Or are we talking past each other？ We do need some reflections. While we believe that the current evolutionary theory is doing fine, perhaps a refinement or re-encapsulation of its knowledge framework can help promote a better understanding of the evolutionary science as a whole and blow offthe mist over the big picture [Current Zoology 61 （1）： 217-220, 2015 ].
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31830084,31970440 and 32070466)supported by“the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities”,Nankai University(96172158,96173250 and 91822294)。
文摘Figs and fig pollinators are one of the few classic textbook examples of obligate pollination mutualism.The specific dependence of fig pollinators on the relatively safe living environment with sufficient food sources in the enclosed fig syconia implies that they are vulnerable to habitat changes.However,there is still no extensive genomic evidence to reveal the evolutionary footprint of this long-term mutually beneficial symbiosis in fig pollinators.In fig syconia,there are also non-pollinator species.The non-pollinator species differ in their evolutionary and life histories from pollinators.We conducted comparative analyses on 11 newly sequenced fig wasp genomes and one previously published genome.The pollinators colonized the figs approximately 66.9 million years ago,consistent with the origin of host figs.Compared with nonpollinators,many more genes in pollinators were subject to relaxed selection.Seven genes were absent in pollinators in response to environmental stress and immune activation.Pollinators had more streamlined gene repertoires in the innate immune system,chemosensory toolbox,and detoxification system.Our results provide genomic evidence for the differentiation between pollinators and nonpollinators.The data suggest that owing to the long-term adaptation to the fig,some genes related to functions no longer required are absent in pollinators.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82202078)the Center for Archaeological Science of Sichuan University(23SASA01).
文摘Tibeto-Burman(TB)people have endeavored to adapt to the hypoxic,cold,and high-UV high-altitude environments in the Tibetan Plateau and complex disease exposures in lowland rainforests since the late Paleolithic period.However,the full landscape of genetic history and biological adaptation of geographically diverse TB-speaking people,as well as their interaction mechanism,remain unknown.Here,we generate a whole-genome meta-database of 500 individuals from 39 TB-speaking populations and present a comprehensive landscape of genetic diversity,admixture history,and differentiated adaptative features of geographically different TB-speaking people.We identify genetic differentiation related to geography and language among TB-speaking people,consistent with their differentiated admixture process with incoming or indigenous ancestral source populations.A robust genetic connection between the Tibetan-Yi corridor and the ancient Yellow River people supports their Northern China origin hypothesis.We finally report substructure-related differentiated biological adaptative signatures between highland Tibetans and Loloish speakers.Adaptative signatures associated with the physical pigmentation(EDAR and SLC24A5)and metabolism(ALDH9A1)are identified in Loloish people,which differed from the high-altitude adaptative genetic architecture in Tibetan.TB-related genomic resources provide new insights into the genetic basis of biological adaptation and better reference for the anthropologically informed sampling design in biomedical and genomic cohort research.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32070579 and 32370664 to Z.Y.,31871449 and 32170813 to J.C.)the Natural Science Foundation of Henan(222300420067 to Z.Y.)+3 种基金State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Grant(GREKF20-13 to Z.Y)Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(2022cxcy568,2022cxcy717 and 2023cxcy475 to Z.Y.)the 1.3·5 project for disciplines of excellence of West China Hospital,Sichuan University(ZYGD23026 and 2024HXFH035)Science and Technologyy Department of Sichuan province(2024NSFSC0651).
文摘The evolution of light-skin pigmentation among Eurasians is considered as an adaptation to the high-latitude environments.East Asians are ideal populations for studying skin color evolution because of the complex environment of East Asia.Here,we report a strong selection signal for the pigmentation gene phenylalanine hydroxylase(PAH)in light-skinned Han Chinese individuals.The intron mutation rs10778203 in PAH is enriched in East Asians and is significantly associated with skin color of the back of the hand in Han Chinese males(P<0.05).In vitro luciferase and transcription factor binding assays show that the ancestral allele of rs10778203 could bind to SMAD2 and has a significant enhancer activity for PAH.However,the derived T allele(the major allele in East Asians)of rs10778203 decreases the binding activity of transcription factors and enhancer activity.Meanwhile,the derived T allele of rs10778203 shows a weaker ultraviolet radiation response in A375 cells and zebrafish embryos.Furthermore,rs10778203 decreases melanin production in transgenic zebrafish embryos after ultraviolet B(UVB)treatment.Collectively,PAH is a potential pigmentation gene that regulates skin tanning ability.Natural selection has enriched the adaptive allele,resulting in weakened tanning ability in East Asians,suggesting a unique genetic mechanism for evolutionary skin lightening in East Asians.
