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Kerstin Johannesson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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non random paternity of offspring in a highly promiscuous Marine Snail suggests postcopulatory sexual selection
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2016Co-Authors: Kerstin Johannesson, Sara Hintz Saltin, Gregory Charrier, Annakarin Ring, Charlotta Kvarnemo, Carl Andre, Marina PanovaAbstract:In the Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis females are highly polyandrous, resulting in simultaneous broods of offspring sired by ∼20 males. Such high polyandry, in combination with female sperm storage, is likely to promote postcopulatory sexual selection among males. In addition, females may gain direct reproductive benefits from multiple mating. Investigating sexual selection in males and female benefits in relation to the number of sires, we put single virgin females in aquaria with one, two, five or ten males for 80 days, during which each female mated a majority of available males. After removal of the males, females continued to produce offspring during >1 year. Offspring genotypes of 27 families showed multiple paternity with 76 % of males contributing to juveniles, but paternity deviated from random with one or a few males siring the majority of the offspring. Larger males tended to be overrepresented among the sires. Female reproductive output (newborn or juvenile stage) did, however, not increase with number of sires, and females seemed not limited by the number of available males. Because previous studies have shown that females are seemingly indiscriminative in their mate choice, and given that they mate many hundreds of times in their lifespan, this suggests there is comparatively limited scope for premating sexual selection in this species. Hence, we interpret these results mainly in the light of postcopulatory sexual selection. Sexual selection is a main component of evolution. In that context, mating behaviour is central, although it sometimes appears puzzling, even maladaptive. For example, matings are costly; still, in some species, females mate multiple times and with numerous males. Why this behaviour has evolved is intriguing. Extensive numbers of matings suggest less efficient precopulatory mate choice, opening for postcopulatory sexual selection through cryptic female choice and sperm competition. Using a highly promiscuous Snail species with internal fertilisation and long-term sperm storage, we identified the fathers of 549 offspring. We found that while females mated most males available, the offspring were non-randomly distributed among mated males and large males were overrepresented among the sires. This suggests that sexual selection predominantly occurs after mating and that males benefit from size-related effects. Yet, we could not find any female benefits from mating multiple males.
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indiscriminate males mating behaviour of a Marine Snail compromised by a sexual conflict
PLOS ONE, 2010Co-Authors: Kerstin Johannesson, Sara Hintz Saltin, Iris Duranovic, Jon N Havenhand, Per R JonssonAbstract:Background: In promiscuous species, male fitness is expected to increase with repeated matings in an open-ended fashion (thereby increasing number of partners or probability of paternity) whereas female fitness should level out at some optimal number of copulations when direct and indirect benefits still outweigh the costs of courtship and copulation. After this fitness peak, additional copulations would incur female fitness costs and be under opposing selection. Hence, a sexual conflict over mating frequency may evolve in species where females are forced to engage in costly matings. Under such circumstance, if females could avoid male detection, significant fitness benefits from such avoidance strategies would be predicted. Methodology/Principal Findings: Among four Littorina species, one lives at very much higher densities and has a longer mating season than the other three species. Using video records of Snail behaviour in a laboratory arena we show that males of the low-density species discriminate among male and female mucous trails, trailing females for copulations. In the high-density species, however, males fail to discriminate between male and female trails, not because males are unable to identify female trails (which we show using heterospecific females), but because females do not, as the other species, add a gender-specific cue to their trail. Conclusions/Significance: We conclude that there is likely a sexual conflict over mating frequency in the high-density species (L. saxatilis) owing to females most likely being less sperm-limited in this species. This has favoured the evolution of females that permanently or optionally do not release a cue in the mucus to decrease excessive and costly matings resulting in unusually high frequencies of male-male copulating attempts in the wild. This is one of few examples of masking gender identity to obtain fewer matings.
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repeated evolution of reproductive isolation in a Marine Snail unveiling mechanisms of speciation
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2010Co-Authors: Kerstin Johannesson, Emilio Rolanalvarez, Carl Andre, Marina Panova, Petri Kemppainen, Roger K ButlinAbstract:Distinct ecotypes of the Snail Littorina saxatilis, each linked to a specific shore microhabitat, form a mosaic-like pattern with narrow hybrid zones in between, over which gene flow is 10–30% of within-ecotype gene flow. Multi-locus comparisons cluster populations by geographic affinity independent of ecotype, while loci under selection group populations by ecotype. The repeated occurrence of partially reproductively isolated ecotypes and the conflicting patterns in neutral and selected genes can either be explained by separation in allopatry followed by secondary overlap and extensive introgression that homogenizes neutral differences evolved under allopatry, or by repeated evolution in parapatry, or in sympatry, with the same ecotypes appearing in each local site. Data from Spain, the UK and Sweden give stronger support for a non-allopatric model of ecotype formation than for an allopatric model. Several different non-allopatric mechanisms can, however, explain the repeated evolution of the ecotypes: (i) parallel evolution by new mutations in different populations; (ii) evolution from standing genetic variation; and (iii) evolution in concert with rapid spread of new positive mutations among populations inhabiting similar environments. These models make different predictions that can be tested using comprehensive phylogenetic information combined with candidate loci sequencing.
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Inverting the null-hypothesis of speciation: a Marine Snail perspective
Evolutionary Ecology, 2009Co-Authors: Kerstin JohannessonAbstract:Speciation is currently an intensely debated topic, much more so than 20–30 years ago when most biologists held the view that new species (at least of animals) were formed through the split of evolutionary lineages by the appearance of physical barriers to gene flow. Recent advances have, however, lent both theoretical and empirical support to speciation in the presence of gene flow. Nevertheless, the allopatric hypothesis of speciation is still the default model. The consequence of this is that to support sympatric and parapatric modes of speciation all allopatric alternatives must be rejected, while an allopatric explanation is usually accepted without rejecting possible non-allopatric alternatives. However, classical cases of allopatric speciation can be challenged by alternative non-allopatric explanations, and this begs for a more respectful view of how to deal with all models of speciation. An appealing approach is studying parallel evolution of reproductive barriers, which allows for comparative approaches to distinguish between allopatric and non-allopatric events, and explicit tests of a suitable null-hypothesis. Parallel evolution of reproductive isolation in a strongly polymorphic Marine Snail species serves as an illustrative example of such an approach. In conclusion, a more balanced debate on allopatric and non-allopatric speciation is needed and an urgent issue is to treat both allopatric and nonallopatric hypotheses critically, rather than using allopatry as the default model of speciation.
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male discrimination of female mucous trails permits assortative mating in a Marine Snail species
Evolution, 2008Co-Authors: Kerstin Johannesson, Jonathan N Havenhand, Per R Jonsson, Mats Lindegarth, Annika Sundin, Johan HollanderAbstract:Recent research has shown the potential for nonallopatric speciation, but we lack an adequate understanding of the mechanisms of prezygotic barriers and how these evolve in the presence of gene flow. The Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis has distinct ecotypes in different shore microhabitats. Ecotypes hybridize in contact zones, but gene flow is impeded by assortative mating. Earlier studies have shown that males and females of the same ecotype copulate for longer than mates of different ecotype. Here we report a new mechanism that further contributes to reproductive isolation between ecotypes in the presence of gene flow. This mechanism is linked to the ability of males to track potential partners by following their mucous trail. We show that cliff ecotype males follow the trails of females of the same ecotype for longer than females of the alternate (boulder) ecotype. In addition, cliff males are more likely to follow the mucous trail in the correct direction if the trail is laid by a cliff-female. The capacity to discriminate the ecotype of female mucous trails combined with differential copulation times creates a strong prezygotic reproductive barrier between ecotypes of L. saxatilis that reduces gene flow from cliff to boulder ecotypes by ≥80%.
Baldomero M Olivera - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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strategy for rapid immobilization of prey by a fish hunting Marine Snail
Nature, 1996Co-Authors: Heinrich Terlau, Ki Joon Shon, Michelle Grilley, Martin Stocker, Walter Stuhmer, Baldomero M OliveraAbstract:SOME venomous animals capture prey with remarkable efficiency and speed. The purple cone, Conus purpurascens, uses two parallel physiological mechanisms requiring multiple neurotoxins to immobilize fish rapidly: neuromuscular block1, and excitotoxic shock. The latter requires the newly characterized peptide K-conotoxin PVIIA, which inhibits the Shaker potassium channel2–4, and δ-conotoxin PVIA5, which delays sodium-channel inactivation. Despite the extreme biochemical diversity in venoms, the number of effective strategic alternatives for prey capture are limited. How securely prey is initially tethered may strongly influence the venom strategy evolved by a predator.
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conodipine m a novel phospholipase a2 isolated from the venom of the Marine Snail conus magus
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1995Co-Authors: J M Mcintosh, F Ghomashchi, Michael H Gelb, D J Dooley, S J Stoehr, A B Giordani, Scott R Naisbitt, Baldomero M OliveraAbstract:Abstract We describe the purification and first biochemical characterization of an enzymatic activity in venom from the Marine Snail Conus magus. This enzyme, named conodipine-M, is a novel phospholipase A2 with a molecular mass of 13.6 kDa and is comprised of two polypeptide chains linked by one or more disulfide bonds. The amino acid sequence of conodipine-M shows little if any homology to other previously sequenced phospholipase A2 enzymes (PLA2s). Conodipine-M thus represents a new group of PLA2s. This is remarkable, since conodipine-M displays a number of properties that are similar to those of previously characterized 14-kDa PLA2s. The enzyme shows little, if any, phospholipase A1, diacylglycerol lipase, triacylglycerol lipase, or lysophospholipase activities. Conodipine-M hydrolyzes the sn-2 ester of various preparations of phospholipid only in the presence of calcium and with specific activities that are comparable to those of well known 14-kDa snake venom and pancreatic PLA2s. The Conus enzyme binds tightly to vesicles of the negatively charged phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphomethanol and catalyzes the hydrolysis of this substrate in a processive fashion. Conodipine-M does not significantly discriminate against phospholipids with unsaturated versus saturated fatty acids at the sn-2 position or with different polar head groups. Linoleoyl amide and a phospholipid analog containing an alkylphosphono group at the sn-2 position are potent inhibitors of conodipine-M. We suggest that the functional resemblance of conodipine-M to other PLA2s might be explained by the utilization of similar catalytic residues.
Emilio Rolanalvarez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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limited proteomic response in the Marine Snail melarhaphe neritoides after long term emersion
Current Zoology, 2017Co-Authors: Emilio Rolanalvarez, Margarita Alvarezrodriguez, Monica R Romero, Juan GalindoAbstract:Rocky intertidal organisms are commonly exposed to environmental gradients, promoting adaptations to these conditions. Emersion time varies along the intertidal range and in the supralittoral zone is frequently larger than a single tidal cycle, even lasting for weeks. The planktonic-dispersing gastropod Melarhaphe neritoides is a common species of the high shore, adapted to reduce water loss in order to survive during long-term emersion. In this study, we investigated the molecular response, at the proteome level, of M. neritoides collected in high-shore tide pools to a series of emersion periods, from 8 to 24 days, in laboratory conditions. We compared this response to individuals maintained submerged during this period, because this was their original habitat. We also included a reversion treatment in the study, in which emersed individuals were returned to the submerged conditions. Although we detected an increase in overall protein concentration with longer emersion periods, contrary to general expectation, the two dimensional electrophoresis (2DE)-based proteomic analysis did not show significant differences between the treatments at the level of individual protein spots, even after an emersion period of 24 days. Our results suggest that the metabolism remains unaltered independent of the treatment carried out or the changes are very subtle and therefore difficult to detect with our experimental design. We conclude that M. neritoides could be equally adapted to emersion and submersion without drastic physiological changes.
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historical biogeography of the Marine Snail littorina saxatilis inferred from haplotype and shell morphology evolution in nw spain
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: Terencia Tirado, Emilio Rolanalvarez, María Saura, Humberto QuesadaAbstract:The Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis exhibits extreme morphological variation between and within geographical regions and represents an excellent model for assessing local adaptation. Previous studies support the hypothesis of parallel evolution in sympatry of two morphologically different ecotypes (named as RB and SU) that co-inhabit different habitats from Galician rocky shores (NW Spain), and which are interrupted by sheltered areas inhabited by a different morph never studied before (named as SRB). Here, we use morphological and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data to test hypotheses on the origin and diversification of SRB Snails and to assess their evolutionary relationships with RB and SU ecotypes. Our results show that the SRB morph displays the largest size and shell elongation and the smallest relative shell aperture, representing an extreme type of the RB vs. SU polymorphism, which has been linked to adaptation to sheltered ecological factors. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the SRB morph shares ancestry with RB and SU ecotypes, rejecting the hypothesis that the SRB morph marks relict populations from which these ecotypes evolved in Galician coasts. Our data support that genetic differentiation among SRB, RB and SU morphs results from a general pattern of restricted gene flow and isolation by distance linked to the colonization of Galician coasts by two independent mtDNA lineages, rather than from a random fragmentation of the initial distributional range. Therefore, the confinement of distinct lineages to specific geographical areas denote evident limits to the distances these Snails can disperse. Morphological analysis indicates no association between mtDNA lineage and a specific morphotype, and suggests the independent gain of convergent morphological patterns within each mtDNA lineage in populations occupying contrasting habitats following the colonization of Galician coasts.
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the role of local ecology during hybridization at the initial stages of ecological speciation in a Marine Snail
Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2013Co-Authors: Juan Galindo, Monica Martinezfernandez, S T Rodriguezramilo, Emilio RolanalvarezAbstract:Hybrid zones of ecologically divergent populations are ideal systems to study the interaction between natural selection and gene flow during the initial stages of speciation. Here, we perform an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genome scan in parallel hybrid zones between divergent ecotypes of the Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis, which is considered a model case for the study of ecological speciation. Ridged-Banded (RB) and Smooth-Unbanded (SU) ecotypes are adapted to different shore levels and microhabitats, although they present a sympatric distribution at the mid-shore where they meet and mate (partially assortatively). We used shell morphology, outlier and nonoutlier AFLP loci from RB, SU and hybrid specimens captured in sympatry to determine the level of phenotypic and genetic introgression. We found different levels of introgression at parallel hybrid zones and nonoutlier loci showed more gene flow with greater phenotypic introgression. These results were independent from the phylogeography of the studied populations, but not from the local ecological conditions. Genetic variation at outlier loci was highly correlated with phenotypic variation. In addition, we used the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation to estimate the heritability of morphological traits and to identify potential Quantitative Trait Loci to be confirmed in future crosses. These results suggest that ecology (exogenous selection) plays an important role in this hybrid zone. Thus, ecologically based divergent natural selection is responsible, simultaneously, for both ecotype divergence and hybridization. On the other hand, genetic introgression occurs only at neutral loci (nonoutliers). In the future, genome-wide studies and controlled crosses would give more valuable information about this process of speciation in the face of gene flow.
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proteomic evidence of a paedomorphic evolutionary process within a Marine Snail species a strategy for adapting to extreme ecological conditions
Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Paez M De La Cadena, Emilio RolanalvarezAbstract:The exposed and sheltered ecotypes of the Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis from European rocky shores are considered a key model system to study adaptation and ecological speciation. Previous studies showed that two ecotypes (RB and SU) of this species in NW Spain have adapted differently to different shore levels and microhabitats. In order to understand how this divergent adaptive process has been accomplished, we followed a quantitative proteomic approach to investigate the proteome variation in a number of different biological factors, that is, ecotype, ontogeny and their interactions. This approach allowed testing the hypothesis that one of the ecotypes has evolved by paedomorphosis, and also whether or not the molecular mechanisms related to ecotype differentiation are set up in early developmental stages. Additionally, the identification of some candidate proteins using mass spectrometry provides some functional insights into these evolutionary processes. Results from this study provided evidence of higher ontogenetic differentiation at proteome level in the RB (metamorphic) than in SU (paedomorphic) ecotype that point to the possibility of juvenile stage retention in this latter ecotype. The level of protein expression (proteome) differences between ecotypes maintained nearly constant from late embryonic stages to adulthood, although some proteins involved in these changes considerably differed in embryonic compared to other ontogenetic stages. Paedomorphosis may be the evolutionary response of the SU ecotype of solving the trade-off during sexually immaturity that is caused by the evolution of small size arising from adaptation to the wave-exposed habitat. Some potential candidate genes of adaptation related to energetic metabolism have been identified, providing a promising baseline for future functional analyses.
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repeated evolution of reproductive isolation in a Marine Snail unveiling mechanisms of speciation
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2010Co-Authors: Kerstin Johannesson, Emilio Rolanalvarez, Carl Andre, Marina Panova, Petri Kemppainen, Roger K ButlinAbstract:Distinct ecotypes of the Snail Littorina saxatilis, each linked to a specific shore microhabitat, form a mosaic-like pattern with narrow hybrid zones in between, over which gene flow is 10–30% of within-ecotype gene flow. Multi-locus comparisons cluster populations by geographic affinity independent of ecotype, while loci under selection group populations by ecotype. The repeated occurrence of partially reproductively isolated ecotypes and the conflicting patterns in neutral and selected genes can either be explained by separation in allopatry followed by secondary overlap and extensive introgression that homogenizes neutral differences evolved under allopatry, or by repeated evolution in parapatry, or in sympatry, with the same ecotypes appearing in each local site. Data from Spain, the UK and Sweden give stronger support for a non-allopatric model of ecotype formation than for an allopatric model. Several different non-allopatric mechanisms can, however, explain the repeated evolution of the ecotypes: (i) parallel evolution by new mutations in different populations; (ii) evolution from standing genetic variation; and (iii) evolution in concert with rapid spread of new positive mutations among populations inhabiting similar environments. These models make different predictions that can be tested using comprehensive phylogenetic information combined with candidate loci sequencing.
P Gopalakrishanakone - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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clinico toxinological characterization of the acute effects of the venom of the Marine Snail conus loroisii
Acta Tropica, 2006Co-Authors: R Saminathan, S Babuji, S Sethupathy, P Viswanathan, T Balasubramanian, P GopalakrishanakoneAbstract:Abstract The venom of the Marine Snail, Conus loroisii , was studied to assess its risk and lethal factors in regard of human welfare. The lethality of the crude venom (LD 50 -5.0 mg/kg via i.p.) in mice was associated with reduced motor activity, asphyxiation, followed by respiratory failure. The effects on vital tissues revealed vascular congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration around the portal triad of the liver, spongiosis of the brain, hemorrhages/congested blood vessels in lung and endothelial cells of the renal tubule. Repeated measures of hematological profiles indicated that the venom significantly reduced erythrocytes ( P P P ® analysis of the envenomed serum further revealed that the venom causes changes in definite molecules involved in inflammatory process and ionic transport. In all, the venom of C. loroisii is potentially lethal to mammals, through its rapid action on the central and peripheral nervous systems by blocking neurotransmission with selective interference of ionic channels/receptors.
Humberto Quesada - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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historical biogeography of the Marine Snail littorina saxatilis inferred from haplotype and shell morphology evolution in nw spain
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: Terencia Tirado, Emilio Rolanalvarez, María Saura, Humberto QuesadaAbstract:The Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis exhibits extreme morphological variation between and within geographical regions and represents an excellent model for assessing local adaptation. Previous studies support the hypothesis of parallel evolution in sympatry of two morphologically different ecotypes (named as RB and SU) that co-inhabit different habitats from Galician rocky shores (NW Spain), and which are interrupted by sheltered areas inhabited by a different morph never studied before (named as SRB). Here, we use morphological and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data to test hypotheses on the origin and diversification of SRB Snails and to assess their evolutionary relationships with RB and SU ecotypes. Our results show that the SRB morph displays the largest size and shell elongation and the smallest relative shell aperture, representing an extreme type of the RB vs. SU polymorphism, which has been linked to adaptation to sheltered ecological factors. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the SRB morph shares ancestry with RB and SU ecotypes, rejecting the hypothesis that the SRB morph marks relict populations from which these ecotypes evolved in Galician coasts. Our data support that genetic differentiation among SRB, RB and SU morphs results from a general pattern of restricted gene flow and isolation by distance linked to the colonization of Galician coasts by two independent mtDNA lineages, rather than from a random fragmentation of the initial distributional range. Therefore, the confinement of distinct lineages to specific geographical areas denote evident limits to the distances these Snails can disperse. Morphological analysis indicates no association between mtDNA lineage and a specific morphotype, and suggests the independent gain of convergent morphological patterns within each mtDNA lineage in populations occupying contrasting habitats following the colonization of Galician coasts.
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semi quantitative differences in gene transcription profiles between sexes of a Marine Snail by a new variant of cdna aflp analysis
Molecular Ecology Resources, 2010Co-Authors: Monica Martinezfernandez, Emilio Rolanalvarez, Louis Bernatchez, Humberto QuesadaAbstract:A variant of the cDNA-AFLP method coupled to an automated sequencer was used to quantify transcripts differentially expressed between sexes of the Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis. First, we conducted a validation study of the technique using known concentrations of a commercial marker. Second, we analysed six replicates of males and females from a population showing no apparent sexual dimorphism. The results confirm that the method can be properly used within the range of DNA concentrations utilized. In addition, we detected a small percentage of spots (1.8%) differentially expressed between sexes, as expected from a low to moderately sexual dimorphic species.
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Genetic discontinuity associated with an environmentally induced barrier to gene exchange in the Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2008Co-Authors: Jaime Piñeira, Humberto Quesada, Emilio Rolán-alvarez, Armando CaballeroAbstract:The geographical genetic structure of 7 populations of the intertidal Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis with limited dispersal was studied in NW Spain using 3 classes of genetic markers: 840 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci, 3 microsatellites, and 1 morphological trait (shell size). A sharp genetic division at Cape Finisterre, as evidenced by all 3 markers, delimits 2 regions. This genetic discontinuity coincides with an abrupt change in plankton composition, climate and oceanographic characteristics, suggesting that contemporary influences on gene flow associated with the presence of an ecological barrier maintain the genetic subdivision in NW Spain. However, the genetic structure also accords to some extent with an isolation-by-distance model despite the heterogeneous gene flow due to this ecological barrier. Microsatellites and shell size showed a strong and significant covariation in pairwise differences (FST and QST) among populations, but no correlation was found between these markers and AFLPs. Similarly, both microsatellites and shell size showed a higher differentiation between the 2 regions than within each region, but this pat- tern was reversed for AFLPs. Differences in genomic sampling error and homoplasy could account for the discrepancy between different kinds of markers. These results point to the possibility that other Marine species may show a similar pattern of intra-specific genetic divergence in NW Spain.
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genetic impact of the prestige oil spill in wild populations of a poor dispersal Marine Snail from intertidal rocky shores
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2008Co-Authors: Jaime Piñeira, Emilio Rolanalvarez, Humberto Quesada, Armando CaballeroAbstract:In November 2002, the sinking of the Prestige cargo ship produced an oil spill of 60,000 tons that affected many areas along the Galician coast (in the northwest of Spain). In a number of rocky shore sites, most organisms (particularly Marine mollusks) were nearly extinct at a local scale. We tested whether the local bottleneck/extinction that occurred in affected localities caused any detectable reduction of the genetic diversity in the Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis, an ovoviviparous rocky shore model species characterized by a low dispersal ability, high population density, and wide distribution range. We compared the level of genetic variation and population differentiation between affected (polluted) and control sites located in seven geographical areas (three sites per area, one impacted and two controls, and two replicates per site) one and a half years after the spill. The analysis included molecular marker variation (microsatellite and AFLP loci) and quantitative trait genetic variation for shell variables in embryos extracted from pregnant females. Our results indicate that the affected populations did not show a significant overall reduction in genetic diversity when compared to the controls, suggesting that the species is highly resistant to losing genetic variability as a consequence of a local short-term pollution process in spite of its low dispersal ability and direct development. However, some genetic effects were detected in the polluted populations, particularly for quantitative shell traits and AFLPs, consistent with local adaptations resulting from the fuel contamination.
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phylogenetic evidence for multiple sympatric ecological diversification in a Marine Snail
Evolution, 2007Co-Authors: Humberto Quesada, David Posada, Armando Caballero, Paloma Moran, Emilio RolanalvarezAbstract:Parallel speciation can occur when traits determining reproductive isolation evolve independently in different populations that experience a similar range of environments. However, a common problem in studies of parallel evolution is to distinguish this hypothesis from an alternative one in which different ecotypes arose only once in allopatry and now share a sympatric scenario with substantial gene flow between them. Here we show that the combination of a phylogenetic approach with life-history data is able to disentangle both hypotheses in the case of the intertidal Marine Snail Littorina saxatilis on the rocky shores of Galicia in northwestern Spain. In this system, numerous phenotypic and genetic differences have evolved between two sympatric ecotypes spanning a sharp ecological gradient, and as aside effect of the former have produced partial reproductive isolation. A mitochondrial phylogeny of these populations strongly suggests that the two sympatric ecotypes have originated independently several times. Building upon earlier work demonstrating size-based assortative mating as the main contributor to reproductive isolation among ecotypes, our analysis provides strong evidence that divergent selection across a sharp ecological gradient promoted the parallel divergence of body size and shape between two sympatric ecotypes. Thus, divergent selection occurring independently in different populations has produced the Marine equivalent of host races, which may represent the first step in speciation.