Ecological, Biological, Behavioral and Genetic Adaptation to Xeric Habitats of Triturus Vittatus Vittatus (Urodela) on the Southern Border of its Distribution

Abstract

In the present mini-review, the results and unpublished data that were collected on Triturus vittatus vittatus in Israel on the southern border of its distribution, and on its adaptation to the Mediterranean semi-arid climate and to arid climate environments on the southern border of its distribution were presented. The contribution of the present paper is in building a model based on the results collected on the distribution, life cycle, behaviour and genetic variations among different populations in northern Israel down to the central coastal plains and near the desert of this species. More specifically, this model is based on the morphology, biology, behaviour and life cycle of T. v. vittatus adaptation. By considering these many parameters, one hypothesis was raised and is supported. The adaptation to and selection of habitats depends mainly on the terrestrial phase and less on the aquatic phases. There are various breeding places in all of the habitats, however, the newts are mainly used to winter ponds, many of which dry up in summer where the larvae can grow and complete metamorphosis. The adaptation of the breeding ponds is not under ecological conditions during larvae growth and complete metamorphosis, but the time of adult breeding and larvae growth occur year-round. The molecular genetic variation in the different areas support our hypothesis that climate is affected by altitude and proximity to the desert. During the life cycle the newts have two habitats aquatic and terrestrial and the adaption to terrestrial habitats is more affected on the newts distribution than the aquatic habitat. The quality model of fitness T. v. vittatus to extreme conditions was suggested.

Differences in Ecological and Genetic Adaptations between <i>Salamandra infraimmaculata</i> and <i>Ommatotriton vittatus</i>

“…Previous studies have detailed the life cycle, behavior, and genetic diversity within O. vittatus populations across various habitats in northern Israel, ex-Open Journal of Animal Sciences tending to the central coastal plains and near desert regions (see Degani [11] for review). Recent studies have identified transcriptomic distinctions not only between aquatic larvae and adult newts, but also between the terrestrial and aquatic adult stages characteristic of the Ommatotriton genus [25].…”

“…Israel's environment exhibits notable seasonal fluctuations and extreme changes. For instance, one study site for O. vittatus, Nahalit pool in the upper Galilee [10]- [12], is aquatic for only about a month annually. This pattern is typical of newt habitats in Israel, whereas northern habitats tend to remain partially aquatic for most of the year.…”

Differences in Ecological and Genetic Adaptations between <i>Salamandra infraimmaculata</i> and <i>Ommatotriton vittatus</i>

“…Previous studies have detailed the life cycle, behavior, and genetic diversity within O. vittatus populations across various habitats in northern Israel, ex-Open Journal of Animal Sciences tending to the central coastal plains and near desert regions (see Degani [11] for review). Recent studies have identified transcriptomic distinctions not only between aquatic larvae and adult newts, but also between the terrestrial and aquatic adult stages characteristic of the Ommatotriton genus [25].…”

“…Israel's environment exhibits notable seasonal fluctuations and extreme changes. For instance, one study site for O. vittatus, Nahalit pool in the upper Galilee [10]- [12], is aquatic for only about a month annually. This pattern is typical of newt habitats in Israel, whereas northern habitats tend to remain partially aquatic for most of the year.…”

Sex Differences in the Brain Transcriptomes of Adult Blue Gourami Fish (Trichogaster trichopterus)

“…Due to the number of genes functionally characterized in gourami, it is considered a model labyrinth fish. These genes, many of which play key roles in the processes of growth and reproduction, have been analyzed as indicators of divergence between species [12,13]; they include genes responsible for the production of several hormones, such as kisspeptins 1 and 2 [14,15]; gonadotropin-releasing hormones (gnrhs) 1, 2, and 3 [16,17]; growth hormone (gh) [8,15,18]; somatolactin [12]; prolactin (prl) [19]; follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh); luteinizing hormone (lh) [20]; and mitochondrial genes encoding cytochrome b and 12S rRNA [21]. Notably, the genetic markers in gourami show differences compared to other bony fish.…”

“…Researchers frequently rely on the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene to conduct studies on the Anabantidae. Furthermore, among the genes that regulate growth and reproduction, the most effective genetic markers for distinguishing between species of the Anabantoidei appear to be those associated with the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic (HPS) axis, namely, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (pacap) and its related peptide prp (formerly known as ghrh-like peptide), in addition to the 12S rRNA gene [12,21]. However, transcriptomic information on Anabantidae is limited.…”

Damage to &lt;i&gt;Salamandra infraimmaculata&lt;/i&gt; Populations by Human Activity in Creating Water Pits Is a Death Trap in Semi-Arid Habitats

“…A phylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggests that six major monophyletic groups exist (S. salamandra, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata, S. corsica, S. atra and S. lanzai) that combine together more than 14 subspecies [2]. Based on the Salamandra species distribution, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata and S. corsica are apparently found at the southern border of their distribution and are exposed to semi-arid conditions [3] [4].…”

Differences in Ecological and Genetic Adaptations between <i>Salamandra infraimmaculata</i> and <i>Ommatotriton vittatus</i>

“…Previous studies have detailed the life cycle, behavior, and genetic diversity within O. vittatus populations across various habitats in northern Israel, ex-Open Journal of Animal Sciences tending to the central coastal plains and near desert regions (see Degani [11] for review). Recent studies have identified transcriptomic distinctions not only between aquatic larvae and adult newts, but also between the terrestrial and aquatic adult stages characteristic of the Ommatotriton genus [25].…”

“…Israel's environment exhibits notable seasonal fluctuations and extreme changes. For instance, one study site for O. vittatus, Nahalit pool in the upper Galilee [10]- [12], is aquatic for only about a month annually. This pattern is typical of newt habitats in Israel, whereas northern habitats tend to remain partially aquatic for most of the year.…”

Sex Differences in the Brain Transcriptomes of Adult Blue Gourami Fish (Trichogaster trichopterus)

“…Due to the number of genes functionally characterized in gourami, it is considered a model labyrinth fish. These genes, many of which play key roles in the processes of growth and reproduction, have been analyzed as indicators of divergence between species [12,13]; they include genes responsible for the production of several hormones, such as kisspeptins 1 and 2 [14,15]; gonadotropin-releasing hormones (gnrhs) 1, 2, and 3 [16,17]; growth hormone (gh) [8,15,18]; somatolactin [12]; prolactin (prl) [19]; follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh); luteinizing hormone (lh) [20]; and mitochondrial genes encoding cytochrome b and 12S rRNA [21]. Notably, the genetic markers in gourami show differences compared to other bony fish.…”

“…Researchers frequently rely on the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene to conduct studies on the Anabantidae. Furthermore, among the genes that regulate growth and reproduction, the most effective genetic markers for distinguishing between species of the Anabantoidei appear to be those associated with the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic (HPS) axis, namely, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (pacap) and its related peptide prp (formerly known as ghrh-like peptide), in addition to the 12S rRNA gene [12,21]. However, transcriptomic information on Anabantidae is limited.…”

Damage to &lt;i&gt;Salamandra infraimmaculata&lt;/i&gt; Populations by Human Activity in Creating Water Pits Is a Death Trap in Semi-Arid Habitats

“…A phylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggests that six major monophyletic groups exist (S. salamandra, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata, S. corsica, S. atra and S. lanzai) that combine together more than 14 subspecies [2]. Based on the Salamandra species distribution, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata and S. corsica are apparently found at the southern border of their distribution and are exposed to semi-arid conditions [3] [4].…”

Differences in Ecological and Genetic Adaptations between <i>Salamandra infraimmaculata</i> and <i>Ommatotriton vittatus</i>

“…Previous studies have detailed the life cycle, behavior, and genetic diversity within O. vittatus populations across various habitats in northern Israel, ex-Open Journal of Animal Sciences tending to the central coastal plains and near desert regions (see Degani [11] for review). Recent studies have identified transcriptomic distinctions not only between aquatic larvae and adult newts, but also between the terrestrial and aquatic adult stages characteristic of the Ommatotriton genus [25].…”

“…Israel's environment exhibits notable seasonal fluctuations and extreme changes. For instance, one study site for O. vittatus, Nahalit pool in the upper Galilee [10]- [12], is aquatic for only about a month annually. This pattern is typical of newt habitats in Israel, whereas northern habitats tend to remain partially aquatic for most of the year.…”

Sex Differences in the Brain Transcriptomes of Adult Blue Gourami Fish (Trichogaster trichopterus)

“…Due to the number of genes functionally characterized in gourami, it is considered a model labyrinth fish. These genes, many of which play key roles in the processes of growth and reproduction, have been analyzed as indicators of divergence between species [12,13]; they include genes responsible for the production of several hormones, such as kisspeptins 1 and 2 [14,15]; gonadotropin-releasing hormones (gnrhs) 1, 2, and 3 [16,17]; growth hormone (gh) [8,15,18]; somatolactin [12]; prolactin (prl) [19]; follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh); luteinizing hormone (lh) [20]; and mitochondrial genes encoding cytochrome b and 12S rRNA [21]. Notably, the genetic markers in gourami show differences compared to other bony fish.…”

“…Researchers frequently rely on the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene to conduct studies on the Anabantidae. Furthermore, among the genes that regulate growth and reproduction, the most effective genetic markers for distinguishing between species of the Anabantoidei appear to be those associated with the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic (HPS) axis, namely, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (pacap) and its related peptide prp (formerly known as ghrh-like peptide), in addition to the 12S rRNA gene [12,21]. However, transcriptomic information on Anabantidae is limited.…”

Damage to &lt;i&gt;Salamandra infraimmaculata&lt;/i&gt; Populations by Human Activity in Creating Water Pits Is a Death Trap in Semi-Arid Habitats

“…A phylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggests that six major monophyletic groups exist (S. salamandra, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata, S. corsica, S. atra and S. lanzai) that combine together more than 14 subspecies [2]. Based on the Salamandra species distribution, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata and S. corsica are apparently found at the southern border of their distribution and are exposed to semi-arid conditions [3] [4].…”