Dataset Information

A biting commentary: Integrating tooth characters with molecular data doubles known species diversity in a lineage of sea slugs that consume "killer algae".

ABSTRACT: Predicting biotic resistance to highly invasive strains of "killer algae" (Caulerpa spp.) requires understanding the diversity and feeding preferences of native consumers, including sea slugs in family Oxynoidae. Past studies reported low algal host specificity for Oxynoe (6 spp.) and Lobiger (4 spp.), but these taxonomically challenging slugs may represent species complexes of unrecognized specialists that prefer different Caulerpa spp. Here, we assess global diversity of these genera by integrating gene sequences with morphological data from microscopic teeth and internal shells, the only hard parts in these soft-bodied invertebrates. Four delimitation methods applied to datasets comprising mtDNA and/or nuclear alleles yielded up to 16 species hypotheses for samples comprising five nominal taxa, including five highly divergent species in Lobiger and five in Oxynoe. Depending on the analysis, a further four to six species were recovered in the O. antillarum-viridis complex, a clade in which mitochondrial divergence was low and nuclear alleles were shared among lineages. Bayesian species delimitation using only morphological data supported most candidate species, however, and integrative analyses combining morphological and genetic data fully supported all complex members. Collectively, our findings double the recognized biodiversity in Oxynoidae, and illustrate the value of including data from traits that mediate fast-evolving ecological interactions during species delimitation. Preference for Caulerpa spp. and radular tooth characteristics covaried among newly delimited species, highlighting an unappreciated degree of host specialization and coevolution in these taxa that may help predict their role in containing outbreaks of invasive algae.

SUBMITTER: Berriman JS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6003886 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A biting commentary: Integrating tooth characters with molecular data doubles known species diversity in a lineage of sea slugs that consume "killer algae".

Berriman John S JS Ellingson Ryan A RA Awbrey Jaymes D JD Rico Diane M DM Valdés Ángel A ÁA Wilson Nerida G NG Aguilar Andres A Herbert David G DG Hirano Yayoi M YM Trowbridge Cynthia D CD Krug Patrick J PJ

Molecular phylogenetics and evolution 20180307

Predicting biotic resistance to highly invasive strains of "killer algae" (Caulerpa spp.) requires understanding the diversity and feeding preferences of native consumers, including sea slugs in family Oxynoidae. Past studies reported low algal host specificity for Oxynoe (6 spp.) and Lobiger (4 spp.), but these taxonomically challenging slugs may represent species complexes of unrecognized specialists that prefer different Caulerpa spp. Here, we assess global diversity of these genera by integr ...[more]

PMID: 29524652

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Project description:This study measured the differential expression of genes from two populations of Wyeomyia smithii in the USA that differ in their propensity to bite over a geographic gradient. Population KC is a northern non-biting population from Maine; population WI is a southern low-frequency biting population from Florida. The mosquitoes were maintained at the University of Oregon under standard rearing conditions and run through two generations to minimize maternal and field effects. Selection for biting was conducted using ~14,000 individuals from the WI population. The environment and protocols used for selection were the same as for KC except biters were removed from their cage and placed into a separate “biting” cage with supplemental males from the same generation of the selected line. All hatch from the biting cage were used to generate the subsequent generations. This protocol was followed until the selected line had undergone 5 generation of selection. Through all generations of selection, including those that were not offered a host, hatch were placed on short days (LL:D=10:14) at 21°C to synchronize each generation and to miigate inadvertant direct selection on development time, generation time, or the timing of reproductive allocation. After adults of a given generation had died, their offspring were transferred to long days and reared to adulthood, as above. During experiments, all animals were in good physical condition. Animal heads were dissected then transferred into 1.5-ml microcentrifuge tubes and shock-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Samples were short-term stored at -80°C. For all experimental conditions, four independent replicates (50 heads each) were analyzed. This GEO record is for three comparisons among the three populations: (EXP1) non-biters in the base population (WI) versus biting individuals in the WI line selected for biting (WIOB) over 5 generations of selection (WI vs WIOB); (EXP2) WIOB versus northern obligate non-biters (KC); (3) WI versus KC (n=4 per treatment group for each population).

Project description:BackgroundTsetse flies are obligatory blood feeders, accessing capillaries by piercing the skin of their hosts with the haustellum to suck blood. However, this behaviour presents a considerable risk as landing flies are exposed to predators as well as the host's own defense reactions such as tail flicking. Achieving a successful blood meal within the shortest time span is therefore at a premium in tsetse, so feeding until replete normally lasts less than a minute. Biting in blood sucking insects is a multi-sensory response involving a range of physical and chemical stimuli. Here we investigated the role of heat and humidity emitted from host skin on the biting responses of Glossina pallidipes, which to our knowledge has not been fully studied in tsetse before.MethodsThe onset and duration of the biting response of G. pallidipes was recorded by filming movements of its haustellum in response to rapid increases in temperature and/or relative humidity (RH) following exposure of the fly to two airflows. The electrophysiological responses of hygroreceptor cells in wall-pore sensilla on the palps of G. pallidipes to drops in RH were recorded using tungsten electrodes and the ultra-structure of these sensory cells was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.ResultsBoth latency and proportion of tsetse biting are closely correlated to RH when accompanied by an increase of 13.1°C above ambient temperature but not for an increase of just 0.2°C. Biting persistence, as measured by the number of bites and the time spent biting, also increases with increasing RH accompanied by a 13.1°C increase in air temperature. Neurones in wall-pore sensilla on the palps respond to shifts in RH.ConclusionsOur results show that temperature acts synergistically with humidity to increase the rapidity and frequency of the biting response in tsetse above the levels induced by increasing temperature or humidity separately. Palp sensilla housing hygroreceptor cells, described here for the first time in tsetse, are involved in the perception of differences in RH.

Dataset Information

A biting commentary: Integrating tooth characters with molecular data doubles known species diversity in a lineage of sea slugs that consume "killer algae".

Publications

A biting commentary: Integrating tooth characters with molecular data doubles known species diversity in a lineage of sea slugs that consume "killer algae".

Similar Datasets

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