Dataset Information

Parrot Genomes and the Evolution of Heightened Longevity and Cognition.

ABSTRACT: Parrots are one of the most distinct and intriguing groups of birds, with highly expanded brains [1], highly developed cognitive [2] and vocal communication [3] skills, and a long lifespan compared to other similar-sized birds [4]. Yet the genetic basis of these traits remains largely unidentified. To address this question, we have generated a high-coverage, annotated assembly of the genome of the blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) and carried out extensive comparative analyses with 30 other avian species, including 4 additional parrots. We identified several genomic features unique to parrots, including parrot-specific novel genes and parrot-specific modifications to coding and regulatory sequences of existing genes. We also discovered genomic features under strong selection in parrots and other long-lived birds, including genes previously associated with lifespan determination as well as several hundred new candidate genes. These genes support a range of cellular functions, including telomerase activity; DNA damage repair; control of cell proliferation, cancer, and immunity; and anti-oxidative mechanisms. We also identified brain-expressed, parrot-specific paralogs with known functions in neural development or vocal-learning brain circuits. Intriguingly, parrot-specific changes in conserved regulatory sequences were overwhelmingly associated with genes that are linked to cognitive abilities and have undergone similar selection in the human lineage, suggesting convergent evolution. These findings bring novel insights into the genetics and evolution of longevity and cognition, as well as provide novel targets for exploring the mechanistic basis of these traits.

SUBMITTER: Wirthlin M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6393663 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Parrot Genomes and the Evolution of Heightened Longevity and Cognition.

Wirthlin Morgan M Lima Nicholas C B NCB Guedes Rafael Lucas Muniz RLM Soares André E R AER Almeida Luiz Gonzaga P LGP Cavaleiro Nathalia P NP Loss de Morais Guilherme G Chaves Anderson V AV Howard Jason T JT Teixeira Marcus de Melo MM Schneider Patricia N PN Santos Fabrício R FR Schatz Michael C MC Felipe Maria Sueli MS Miyaki Cristina Y CY Aleixo Alexandre A Schneider Maria P C MPC Jarvis Erich D ED Vasconcelos Ana Tereza R ATR Prosdocimi Francisco F Mello Claudio V CV

Current biology : CB 20181206 24

Parrots are one of the most distinct and intriguing groups of birds, with highly expanded brains [1], highly developed cognitive [2] and vocal communication [3] skills, and a long lifespan compared to other similar-sized birds [4]. Yet the genetic basis of these traits remains largely unidentified. To address this question, we have generated a high-coverage, annotated assembly of the genome of the blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) and carried out extensive comparative analyses with 30 other ...[more]

PMID: 30528582

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Project description:BackgroundCleaning symbioses are captivating interspecific interactions in which a cleaner fish removes ectoparasites from its client, contributing to the health and diversity of natural fish communities and aquaculture systems. However, the genetic signatures underlying this specialized behaviour remain poorly explored. To shed light on this, we generated a high-quality chromosome-scale genome of the bluestreak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus, a dedicated cleaner with cleaning as primary feeding mechanism throughout its life.ResultsCompared with facultative and non-cleaner wrasses, L. dimidiatus was found with notable contractions in olfactory receptors implying their limited importance in dedicated cleaning. Instead, given its distinct tactile pre-conflict strategies, L. dimidiatus may rely more heavily on touch sensory perception, with heightened gene expression in the brain in anticipation of cleaning. Additionally, a reduction in NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 3 might enhance innate immunity of L. dimidiatus, probably assisting to reduce the impacts from parasite infections. In addition, convergent substitutions for a taste receptor and bone development genes across cleaners (L. dimidiatus and facultative cleaners) may provide them with evolved food discrimination abilities and jaw morphology that differentiate them from non-cleaners. Moreover, L. dimidiatus may exhibit specialized neural signal transductions for cleaning, as evidenced by positive selection in genes related to the glutamatergic synapse pathway. Interestingly, numerous glutamate receptors also demonstrated significantly higher expression in L. dimidiatus not engaged in cleaning, as compared to those involved in cleaning. Besides, apparent contractions in L. dimidiatus for protocadherins, which are responsible for neuronal development, may further promote specialized neural signal transductions in this species.ConclusionsThis study reveals that L. dimidiatus harbours substantial losses in specific gene families, convergent evolutions across cleaners and a large-scale high gene expression in preparation for cleaning, allowing for adaptation to the dedicated cleaning behaviour.

Dataset Information

Parrot Genomes and the Evolution of Heightened Longevity and Cognition.

Publications

Parrot Genomes and the Evolution of Heightened Longevity and Cognition.

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