High-altitude adaptive evolution in amphibians and reptiles: Status and prospect

Gao, Wei; Fu, Ting-Ting; Che, Jing

doi:10.1360/n052018-00216

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(62 reference statements)

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“…Different from other grassland caterpillars, the heads of QTP Gynaephora species are bright red, and the thorax and abdomen are covered with black body hair; these morphological features are associated with high-altitude adaptation. The skin and hair color of humans (such as Tibetans on the QTP), mammals (e.g., Psammodromus algirus and Sus scrofa domesticus ), amphibians, and reptiles in high-altitude areas are significantly darker than the skin of those in low-altitude areas ( Wang et al, 2000 ; Brenner and Hearing, 2008 ; Jablonski and Chaplin, 2010 ; Li et al, 2013 ; Reguera et al, 2014 ; Visscher, 2017 ; Gao et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ). Organisms at high-altitude areas show a deeper body color to resist high UV radiation, which reduces the damage to cells and DNA structure caused by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species ( Rinnerthaler et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Organisms at high-altitude areas show a deeper body color to resist high UV radiation, which reduces the damage to cells and DNA structure caused by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species ( Rinnerthaler et al, 2015 ). In addition to protecting against UV radiation damage, a deeper body color also plays an important role in regulating the body temperature ( DeJong et al, 1996 ; Carothers et al, 1998 ; Geen and Johnston, 2014 ; Gao et al, 2019 ). Black areas in the abdomens of Phrynocephalus in the QTP are significantly larger than those of individuals in low-altitude areas, and these areas are conducive to raising the body temperature ( Jin and Liao, 2015 ; Gao et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to protecting against UV radiation damage, a deeper body color also plays an important role in regulating the body temperature ( DeJong et al, 1996 ; Carothers et al, 1998 ; Geen and Johnston, 2014 ; Gao et al, 2019 ). Black areas in the abdomens of Phrynocephalus in the QTP are significantly larger than those of individuals in low-altitude areas, and these areas are conducive to raising the body temperature ( Jin and Liao, 2015 ; Gao et al, 2019 ). Dense black body hair on the thorax and abdomen of the larvae of QTP Gynaephora species may be an adaptation to the QTP environment (high UV levels and low temperatures).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differential gene expression patterns between the head and thorax of Gynaephora aureata are associated with high-altitude adaptation

Zhao

Zhang

et al. 2023

Front. Genet.

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Grassland caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Gynaephora) are important pests in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). These pests have morphological, behavioral, and genetic adaptations for survival in high-altitude environments. However, mechanisms underlying high-altitude adaptation in QTP Gynaephora species remain largely unknown. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of the head and thorax transcriptomes of G. aureata to explore the genetic basis of high-altitude adaptation. We detected 8,736 significantly differentially expressed genes (sDEGs) between the head and thorax, including genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, epidermal proteins, and detoxification. These sDEGs were significantly enriched in 312 Gene Ontology terms and 16 KEGG pathways. We identified 73 pigment-associated genes, including 8 rhodopsin-associated genes, 19 ommochrome-associated genes, 1 pteridine-associated gene, 37 melanin-associated genes, and 12 heme-associated genes. These pigment-associated genes were related to the formation of the red head and black thorax of G. aureata. A key gene, yellow-h, in the melanin pathway was significantly upregulated in the thorax, suggesting that it is related to the formation of the black body and contributed to the adaptation of G. aureata to low temperatures and high ultraviolet radiation in the QTP. Another key gene, cardinal, in the ommochrome pathway was significantly upregulated in the head and may be related to red warning color formation. We also identified 107 olfactory-related genes in G. aureata, including genes encoding 29 odorant-binding proteins, 16 chemosensory proteins, 22 odorant receptor proteins, 14 ionotropic receptors, 12 gustatory receptors, 12 odorant degrading enzymes, and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins. Diversification of olfactory-related genes may be associated with the feeding habits of G. aureata, including larvae dispersal and searching for plant resources available in the QTP. These results provide new insights into high-altitude adaptation of Gynaephora in the QTP and may contribute to the development of new control strategies for these pests.

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