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Morphological evolution can be the result of natural selection favoring modification of developmental signaling pathways. However, little is known about the genetic basis of such phenotypic diversity. Understanding these mechanisms is difficult for numerous reasons, yet studies in model organisms often provide clues about the major developmental pathways involved. The paired-domain gene, PAX9, is known to be a key regulator of development, particularly of the face and teeth. In this study, using a comparative genetics approach, we investigate PAX9 molecular evolution among mammals, focusing on craniofacially diversified (Phyllostomidae) and conserved (Vespertilionidae) bat families, and extend our comparison to other orders of mammal. Open-reading frame analysis disclosed signatures of selection, in which a small percentage of residues vary, and lineages acquire different combinations of variation through recurrent substitution and lineage specific changes. A few instances of convergence for specific residues were observed between morphologically convergent bat lineages. Bioinformatic analysis for unknown PAX9 regulatory motifs indicated a novel post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism involving a Musashi protein. This regulation was assessed through fluorescent reporter assays and gene knockdowns. Results are compatible with the hypothesis that the number of Musashi binding-elements in PAX9 mRNA proportionally regulates protein translation rate. Although a connection between morphology and binding element frequency was not apparent, results indicate this regulation would vary among craniofacially divergent bat species, but be static among conserved species. Under this model, Musashi’s regulatory control of alternative human PAX9 isoforms would also vary. The presence of Musashi-binding elements within PAX9 of all mammals examined, chicken, zebrafish, and the fly homolog of PAX9, indicates this regulatory mechanism is ancient, originating basal to much of the animal phylogeny.

Se presenta el listado de los mamíferos medianos y grandes registrados en 11 áreas de conservación del departamento del Quindío, Colombia. La fase de campo se desarrolló en cinco municipios, entre julio y diciembre del 2016, y el muestreo incluyó recorridos por transectos e instalación de cámaras trampa. Se confirma la presencia de 21 especies de mamíferos en las áreas estudiadas. Las áreas con mayor número de especies hacen parte de la Reserva Forestal Central o están cerca a otras áreas de conservación, situación que podría estar permitiendo la interconexión entre reservas por corredores biológicos. Cuatro de las especies registradas se encuentran bajo categoría de amenaza: Tapirus pinchaque (En Peligro), Aotus lemurinus, Leopardus tigrinus y Mazama rufina (Vulnerable). Se resalta la presencia de Leopardus pardalis como nuevo registro para el departamento.

Introduction Toxoplasma gondii infections have been reported for many warm-blooded animals around the world including chiropterans. However, in Colombia, the country that holds the highest taxonomic richness of this order of mammals in the Neotropics, up to date there are no reports of T. gondii in bats (Carollia brevicauda). Purpose The objective of the present study was to detect T. gondii DNA from internal bat organs from Quindío, Colombia. Results We report the first detection of T. gondii DNA from internal bat organs in the department of Quindio, Central Andes of Colombia. Out of three silky short tail bat (Carollia brevicauda) specimens collected at the natural reserve "La Montaña del Ocaso", organs were recovered (lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, small and large intestine) and tested for T. gondii through PCR for B1 sequence, with 1/3 (33.3%) positive result for the presence of T. gondii DNA in bat kidney tissues. Conclusion Taking into consideration the high diversity of bat species in Colombia, and the complexity of the ecological and functional relationships that these organisms establish in the ecosystems they inhabit, we discuss on the urgent need for more detailed research and surveys for Toxoplansma in bats and other mammalian wild species.

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Se evaluó la variación morfológica de Heterophrynus boterorum con relación a su distribución geográfica, comparando poblaciones de la vertiente oriental y occidental de la cordillera Central y una población de la cordillera Oriental de los Andes, en los departamentos de Tolima y Quindío, Colombia. Mediante técnicas de estadística univariada y multivariada, (ACP, ANOVA y Kruskal-Wallis), se compararon poblaciones presentes en municipios de ambas vertientes y cordilleras. Se encontró variación entre poblaciones en 15 de 33 caracteres morfológicos examinados. La mayor variación se encontró en el tamaño de palpos, número de espinas y tubérculos. La población del municipio de Lérida se diferenció notablemente de las demás poblaciones del análisis. El resto de poblaciones formaron un grupo morfológico con amplia variabilidad, principalmente en tamaño. Heterophrynus boterorum podría considerarse como modelo de estudio para el efecto del gradiente ambiental y altitudinal de los Andes en la diversificación morfológica de los Amblypygi.

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