Dataset Information

Mudskipper genomes provide insights into the terrestrial adaptation of amphibious fishes.

ABSTRACT: Mudskippers are amphibious fishes that have developed morphological and physiological adaptations to match their unique lifestyles. Here we perform whole-genome sequencing of four representative mudskippers to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations. We discover an expansion of innate immune system genes in the mudskippers that may provide defence against terrestrial pathogens. Several genes of the ammonia excretion pathway in the gills have experienced positive selection, suggesting their important roles in mudskippers' tolerance to environmental ammonia. Some vision-related genes are differentially lost or mutated, illustrating genomic changes associated with aerial vision. Transcriptomic analyses of mudskippers exposed to air highlight regulatory pathways that are up- or down-regulated in response to hypoxia. The present study provides a valuable resource for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying water-to-land transition of vertebrates.

SUBMITTER: You X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4268706 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Mudskipper genomes provide insights into the terrestrial adaptation of amphibious fishes.

You Xinxin X Bian Chao C Zan Qijie Q Xu Xun X Liu Xin X Chen Jieming J Wang Jintu J Qiu Ying Y Li Wujiao W Zhang Xinhui X Sun Ying Y Chen Shixi S Hong Wanshu W Li Yuxiang Y Cheng Shifeng S Fan Guangyi G Shi Chengcheng C Liang Jie J Tom Tang Y Y Yang Chengye C Ruan Zhiqiang Z Bai Jie J Peng Chao C Mu Qian Q Lu Jun J Fan Mingjun M Yang Shuang S Huang Zhiyong Z Jiang Xuanting X Fang Xiaodong X Zhang Guojie G Zhang Yong Y Polgar Gianluca G Yu Hui H Li Jia J Liu Zhongjian Z Zhang Guoqiang G Ravi Vydianathan V Coon Steven L SL Wang Jian J Yang Huanming H Venkatesh Byrappa B Wang Jun J Shi Qiong Q

Nature communications 20141202

Mudskippers are amphibious fishes that have developed morphological and physiological adaptations to match their unique lifestyles. Here we perform whole-genome sequencing of four representative mudskippers to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations. We discover an expansion of innate immune system genes in the mudskippers that may provide defence against terrestrial pathogens. Several genes of the ammonia excretion pathway in the gills have experienced positive selection ...[more]

PMID: 25463417

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Project description:The food composition and feeding ecology of fishes living in the intertidal zone play an essential role in understanding the energetic connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic systems. Periophthalmus chrysospilos is an amphibious fish species occurring in the intertidal zone, but data on its diet and foraging ecology is still poorly known. This study on Ps. chrysospilos was carried out from April 2020 to March 2021 at four sites within the Mekong Delta estuary to define the influence of spatio-temporal factors on the diet of this species. The diet composition and relative gut lengths (RGLs) of Ps. chrysospilos were analysed in relation to four parameters-sex, size, site, and season. A total of 1,031 individuals were collected, and their digestive tract lengths were used to calculate the RGL. The digestive tracts of only 546 individuals were with food items (approximately 1:1 of empty vs full digestive tract) and were subsequently used for further analyses. The ranges in total length and weight in both adult and juvenile individuals were 3.4-10.6 cm and 0.38-14.13 g, respectively. The RGL values varied with season, fish size and site, but was always lower than 1, indicating a predominantly carnivorous diet. The variability of food items found within the digestive tracts demonstrated its adaptability in pursuing prey items within the limits of the littoral zone, and its importance as a conduit of terrestrial-marine connectivity. This species is characterised as an opportunistic mesopredator feeding primarily on Acetes spp., Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp., and rarely on Polychaeta and Actinopterygii. Other items found within the digestive tract are Mollusca, and detritus. The diet composition of Ps. chrysospilos did not vary with season and size, but changed with sex and site parameters. Uca spp. contributed to the sexual variation in dietary component, whereas Mollusca, Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp. and detritus, were drivers for spatial variation in the dietary component. The research provides fundamental information on diet composition and feeding strategy, as well as contributes towards knowledge on foraging ecology and resource use by intertidal animal communities.

Dataset Information

Mudskipper genomes provide insights into the terrestrial adaptation of amphibious fishes.

Publications

Mudskipper genomes provide insights into the terrestrial adaptation of amphibious fishes.

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