Publications

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physiological and regulatory underpinnings of geographic variation in reptilian cold tolerance across a latitudinal cline.understanding the mechanisms that produce variation in thermal performance is a key component to investigating climatic effects on evolution and adaptation. however, disentangling the effects of local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in shaping patterns of geographic variation in natural populations can prove challenging. additionally, the physiological mechanisms that cause organismal dysfunction at extreme temperatures are still largely under debate. using the green anole, anolis carolinen ...201829633453
energetic costs of performance in trained and untrained anolis carolinensis lizards.the energetic costs of performance constitute a non-trivial component of animals' daily energetic budgets. however, we currently lack an understanding of how those costs are partitioned among the various stages of performance development, maintenance and production. we manipulated individual investment in performance by training anolis carolinensis lizards for endurance or sprinting ability. we then measured energetic expenditure both at rest and immediately following exercise to test whether su ...201829530972
identification of satellite cells from anole lizard skeletal muscle and demonstration of expanded musculoskeletal potential.the lizards are evolutionarily the closest vertebrates to humans that demonstrate the ability to regenerate entire appendages containing cartilage, muscle, skin, and nervous tissue. we previously isolated pax7-positive cells from muscle of the green anole lizard, anolis carolinensis, that can differentiate into multinucleated myotubes and express the muscle structural protein, myosin heavy chain. studying gene expression in these satellite/progenitor cell populations from a. carolinensis can pro ...201829291980
comparative genomics reveals accelerated evolution in conserved pathways during the diversification of anole lizards.squamates include all lizards and snakes, and display some of the most diverse and extreme morphological adaptations among vertebrates. however, compared with birds and mammals, relatively few resources exist for comparative genomic analyses of squamates, hampering efforts to understand the molecular bases of phenotypic diversification in such a speciose clade. in particular, the ∼400 species of anole lizard represent an extensive squamate radiation. here, we sequence and assemble the draft geno ...201829360978
the importance of species: pygmy rattlesnake venom toxicity differs between native prey and related non-native species.venom toxicity assessments are often based upon non-native surrogate prey species that are not consumed in the wild by the venomous predator. this raises questions about the relevance of toxicity results on these "model" prey in addressing ecological or evolutionary questions about venom effects on native prey. we explore this issue by comparing the toxicity of venom from pygmy rattlesnakes (sistrurus miliarius) on taxonomically-diverse sets of model (non-native) and native prey. specifically, w ...201829410327
developmental and adult-specific processes contribute to de novo neuromuscular regeneration in the lizard tail.peripheral nerves exhibit robust regenerative capabilities in response to selective injury among amniotes, but the regeneration of entire muscle groups following volumetric muscle loss is limited in birds and mammals. in contrast, lizards possess the remarkable ability to regenerate extensive de novo muscle after tail loss. however, the mechanisms underlying reformation of the entire neuromuscular system in the regenerating lizard tail are not completely understood. we have tested whether the re ...201829291978
escaping the evolutionary trap? sex chromosome turnover in basilisks and related lizards (corytophanidae: squamata).most pleurodont lizard families (anoles, iguanas and their relatives), with the exception of the basilisks and casquehead lizards (family corytophanidae), share homologous xx/xy sex chromosomes, syntenic with chicken chromosome 15. here, we used a suite of methods (i.e. radseq, rnaseq and qpcr) to identify corytophanid sex chromosomes for the first time. we reveal that all examined corytophanid species have partially degenerated xx/xy sex chromosomes, syntenic with chicken chromosome 17. transcr ...201931594492
corytophanids replaced the pleurodont xy system with a new pair of xy chromosomes.almost all lizard families in the pleurodont clade share the same xy system. this system was meticulously studied in anolis carolinensis, where it shows a highly degenerated y chromosome and a male-specific x chromosome dosage compensation mechanism. corytophanids (casque-headed lizards) have been proposed as the only family in the pleurodont clade to lack the xy system. in this study, we worked with extensive genomic and transcriptomic data from basiliscus vittatus, a member of the corytophanid ...201931557287
asymmetric interference competition and niche partitioning between native and invasive anolis lizards.species can compete both directly via aggressive encounters (interference) and indirectly through their shared use of a limited resource (exploitation). depending on the circumstances interference, exploitation, and their interplay can either lead to competitive exclusion or drive niche partitioning to maintain species coexistence. thus, understanding species coexistence in nature requires accurately identifying the mechanisms that contribute to competition among the species in question. in the ...201931312905
selection at behavioural, developmental and metabolic genes is associated with the northward expansion of a successful tropical colonizer.what makes a species able to colonize novel environments? this question is key to understand the dynamics of adaptive radiations and ecological niche shifts, but the mechanisms that underlie expansion into novel habitats remain poorly understood at a genomic scale. lizards from the genus anolis are typically tropical, and the green anole (anolis carolinensis) constitutes an exception since it expanded into temperate north america from subtropical florida. thus, we used the green anole as a model ...201931233650
recognizing the causes of parasite morphological variation to resolve the status of a cryptogenic pentastome.exotic species can threaten biodiversity by introducing parasites to native hosts. thus, it is critical to identify if the same parasite species infects both native and exotic hosts. however, developmental- or environmental-induced morphological variation may render species identification ambiguous. our study reports a range expansion in the southern united states of the pentastome raillietiella indica from the mediterranean gecko, hemidactylus turcicus, as well as a host expansion into the gree ...201931169454
predator-induced collapse of niche structure and species coexistence.biological invasions are both a pressing environmental challenge and an opportunity to investigate fundamental ecological processes, such as the role of top predators in regulating biodiversity and food-web structure. in whole-ecosystem manipulations of small caribbean islands on which brown anole lizards (anolis sagrei) were the native top predator, we experimentally staged invasions by competitors (green anoles, anolis smaragdinus) and/or new top predators (curly-tailed lizards, leiocephalus c ...201931168105
recent secondary contacts, linked selection, and variable recombination rates shape genomic diversity in the model species anolis carolinensis.gaining a better understanding on how selection and neutral processes affect genomic diversity is essential to gain better insights into the mechanisms driving adaptation and speciation. however, the evolutionary processes affecting variation at a genomic scale have not been investigated in most vertebrate lineages. here, we present the first population genomics survey using whole genome resequencing in the green anole (anolis carolinensis). anoles have been intensively studied to understand mec ...201931134281
hybridization and rapid differentiation after secondary contact between the native green anole (anolis carolinensis) and the introduced green anole (anolis porcatus).in allopatric species, reproductive isolation evolves through the accumulation of genetic incompatibilities. the degree of divergence required for complete reproductive isolation is highly variable across taxa, which makes the outcome of secondary contact between allopatric species unpredictable. since before the pliocene, two species of anolis lizards, anolis carolinensis and anolis porcatus, have been allopatric, yet this period of independent evolution has not led to substantial species-speci ...201931015994
conflict, compensation, and plasticity: sex-specific, individual-level trade-offs in green anole (anolis carolinensis) performance.trade-offs in performance expression occur because animals must perform multiple whole-organism performance tasks that place conflicting demands on shared underlying morphology. although not always detectable within populations, such trade-offs may be apparent when analyzed at the level of the individual, particularly when all of the available data are taken into account as opposed to only maximum values. detection of performance trade-offs is further complicated in species where sexual dimorphi ...201930942562
genetic content of the neo-sex chromosomes in ctenonotus and norops (squamata, dactyloidae) and degeneration of the y chromosome as revealed by high-throughput sequencing of individual chromosomes.pleurodont lizards are characterized by an ancient system of sex chromosomes. along with stability of the central component of the system (homologous to the x chromosome of anolis carolinensis [dactyloidae], acax), in some genera the ancestral sex chromosomes are fused with microautosomes, forming neo-sex chromosomes. the genus ctenonotus (dactyloidae) is characterized by multiple x1x1x2x2/x1x2y sex chromosomes. according to cytogenetic data, the large neo-y chromosome is formed by fusion of the ...201930820011
asymmetric paralog evolution between the "cryptic" gene bmp16 and its well-studied sister genes bmp2 and bmp4.the vertebrate gene repertoire is characterized by "cryptic" genes whose identification has been hampered by their absence from the genomes of well-studied species. one example is the bmp16 gene, a paralog of the developmental key genes bmp2 and -4. we focus on the bmp2/4/16 group of genes to study the evolutionary dynamics following gen(om)e duplications with special emphasis on the poorly studied bmp16 gene. we reveal the presence of bmp16 in chondrichthyans in addition to previously reported ...201930816280
leptin ameliorates the immunity, but not reproduction, trade-off with endurance in lizards.life-history trade-offs result from allocation of limited energetic resources to particular traits at the expense of others. when resources are scarce, some traits will take priority over others in the degree of their expression. for example, the current reproduction may be sacrificed to enhance survival. although intuitive from an evolutionary perspective, such priorities must be based on proximate mechanisms that respond to the current conditions. the hormone leptin serves as a signal of energ ...201930666396
a new evolutionary model for the vertebrate actin family including two novel groups.database surveys in the vertebrate model organisms: chicken (gallus gallus), western clawed frog (xenopus tropicalis), anole lizard (anolis carolinensis) and zebrafish (danio rerio) indicate that in some of these species the number of actin paralogues differs from the well-established six paralogues in mouse (mus musculus). to investigate differential functions of actins and for establishing disease models it is important to know how actins in the different model organisms relate to each other a ...201931560986
there's a frog in my salad! a review of online media coverage for wild vertebrates found in prepackaged produce in the united states.prepackaged leafy green vegetables represent one of the fastest growing segments of the fresh-produce industry in the united states. several steps in the production process have been mechanized to meet the downstream demand for prebagged lettuces. the growth in this market, however, has come with drawbacks, and chief among them are consumers finding wild animals in prepackaged crops. these incidents may signal an overburdened produce supply chain, but we currently lack the information needed to ...201931022609
experimentally enhanced performance decreases survival in nature.superior locomotor performance confers advantages in terms of male combat success, survival and fitness in a variety of organisms. in humans, investment in increased performance via the exercise response is also associated with numerous health benefits, and aerobic capacity is an important predictor of longevity. although the response to exercise is conserved across vertebrates, no studies have tested whether non-human animals that invest in increased athletic performance through exercise realiz ...201930991916
first report on b chromosome content in a reptilian species: the case of anolis carolinensis.supernumerary elements of the genome are often called b chromosomes. they usually consist of various autosomal sequences and, because of low selective pressure, are mostly pseudogenized and contain many repeats. there are numerous reports on b chromosomes in mammals, fish, invertebrates, plants, and fungi, but only a few of them have been studied using sequencing techniques. however, reptilian supernumerary chromosomes have been detected only cytogenetically and never sequenced or analyzed at th ...201930146671
prevalence of salmonella in green anoles (anolis carolinensis), an invasive alien species in naha and tomigusuku cities, okinawa main island, japan.here, we investigated the prevalence of salmonella enterica, with and without resistance to 17 common antimicrobial agents, in 706 green anoles (anolis carolinensis) that were collected in naha and tomigusuku cities, okinawa main island, japan, between 2009 and 2014. salmonella strains, including s. enterica weltevreden and enteritidis serovars, were identified in the large intestinal content samples extracted from 15 (2.1%) of the analyzed green anoles. no antimicrobial resistance was detected. ...202032213730
first report of sex chromosomes in night lizards (scincoidea: xantusiidae).squamate reptiles (lizards, snakes, and amphibians) are an outstanding group for studying sex chromosome evolution-they are old, speciose, geographically widespread, and exhibit myriad sex-determining modes. yet, the vast majority of squamate species lack heteromorphic sex chromosomes. cataloging the sex chromosome systems of species lacking easily identifiable, heteromorphic sex chromosomes, therefore, is essential before we are to fully understand the evolution of vertebrate sex chromosomes. h ...202032076711
melanization, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone and steroid hormones in male western fence lizards from nine populations.hormones can mediate suites of correlated traits. melanocortins regulate melanin synthesis and elements of the melanocortin system can directly, and indirectly, affect a number of other traits, such as stress reactivity. trait correlations within the melanocortin system have been studied mainly in birds and mammals but less so in reptiles. we examined adult male western fence lizards (sceloporus occidentalis) and if melanization was correlated with plasma levels of three hormones, including pept ...202031563645
transcriptome sequencing reveals signatures of positive selection in the spot-tailed earless lizard.the continual loss of threatened biodiversity is occurring at an accelerated pace. high-throughput sequencing technologies are now providing opportunities to address this issue by aiding in the generation of molecular data for many understudied species of high conservation interest. our overall goal of this study was to begin building the genomic resources to continue investigations and conservation of the spot-tailed earless lizard. here we leverage the power of high-throughput sequencing to ge ...202032542006
disentangling the determinants of transposable elements dynamics in vertebrate genomes using empirical evidences and simulations.the interactions between transposable elements (tes) and their hosts constitute one of the most profound co-evolutionary processes found in nature. the population dynamics of tes depends on factors specific to each te families, such as the rate of transposition and insertional preference, the demographic history of the host and the genomic landscape. how these factors interact has yet to be investigated holistically. here we are addressing this question in the green anole (anolis carolinensis) w ...202033017388
prevalence and antimicrobial-resistance profiles of salmonella spp. isolated from green anoles (anolis carolinensis) collected on the haha-jima of the ogasawara archipelago, japan.we investigated the prevalence of salmonellaenterica and its antimicrobial resistance from 79 green anoles, the invasive alien species inhabits haha-jima of the ogasawara archipelago. samples were collected during the period between 2009 and 2010. the resistance of s. enterica of these samples against 12 common antimicrobial agents was also determined. salmonella strains, including serovar oranienburg and aberdeen, were detected from the large intestines of 30.4% of 79 green anole samples. and 3 ...202032938832
endurance and sprint training affect immune function differently in green anole lizards (anolis carolinensis).limited resources must be partitioned among traits that enhance fitness. although survival-related traits often trade off with reproduction, survival-related traits themselves may trade off with each other under energy limitations. whole-organism performance and the immune system both enhance survival, yet are costly, but it is unclear how the two might trade off with each other under energy-limited conditions. resources can be allocated to very different types of performance (e.g. aerobic endur ...202032917817
character displacement in the midst of background evolution in island populations of anolis lizards: a spatiotemporal perspective.negative interactions between species can generate divergent selection that causes character displacement. however, other processes cause similar divergence. we use spatial and temporal replication across island populations of anolis lizards to assess the importance of negative interactions in driving trait shifts. previous work showed that the establishment of anolis sagrei on islands drove resident anolis carolinensis to perch higher and evolve larger toepads. to further test the interaction's ...202032786005
arginine vasotocin impacts chemosensory behavior during social interactions of anolis carolinensis lizards.in reptiles, arginine vasotocin (avt) impacts the performance of and response to visual social signals, but whether avt also operates within the chemosensory system as arginine vasopressin (avp) does in mammals is unknown, despite social odors being potent modifiers of competitive and appetitive behavior in reptiles. here, we ask whether elevated levels of exogenous avt impact rates of chemical display behavior (e.g. tongue flicks) in adult males, and whether conspecific males or females can che ...202032439348
the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and thyroid hormone regulation interact to influence seasonal breeding in green anole lizards (anolis carolinensis).reproductive physiology and behavior is mainly regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (hpg) axis, although abnormal thyroid hormone (th) levels alter hpg axis activity. seasonally breeding animals, such as green anole lizards (anolis carolinensis), undergo drastic hormonal and behavioral changes between breeding and non-breeding seasons, with increased sex steroid hormones, larger gonads and increased reproductive behaviors during the breeding compared to non-breeding seasons. relatively ...202032126224
the (dis)advantages of dominance in a multiple male group of anolis carolinensis lizards.male anolis carolinensis lizards will fight and form social dominance hierarchies when placed in habitats with limited resources. dominance may procure benefits such as priority access to food, shelter or partners, but may also come with costs, such as a higher risk of injuries due to aggressive interaction, a higher risk of predation or a higher energetic cost, all of which may lead to an increase in stress. while most research looks at dominance by using dyadic interactions, in our study we in ...202032062300
enhanced locomotor performance on familiar surfaces is uncoupled from morphological plasticity in anolis lizards.the radiation of anolis lizards in the caribbean is associated with a diversification of the functional match between morphology, habitat use, and locomotor performance. it has been hypothesized that the microhabitat a lizard is reared in can achieve a similar fit of form and function within a species. this predicts that plasticity in the locomotor apparatus is accompanied by changes in perching behavior or improved locomotor performance. to test this, we raised juveniles of two species (anolis ...202031994351
sprint speed is unaffected by dietary manipulation in trained male anolis carolinensis lizards.performance traits are energetically costly, and their expression and use can drive trade-offs with other energetically costly life-history traits. however, different performance traits incur distinct costs and may be sensitive to both resource limitation and to the types of resources that are accrued. protein is likely to be especially important for supporting burst performance traits such as sprint speed, but the effect of varying diet composition on sprint training in lizards, an emerging mod ...202031867872
corticosterone in lizard egg yolk is reduced by maternal diet restriction but unaltered by maternal exercise.when females face adverse environmental conditions, physiological changes, such as elevated corticosterone levels, to cope with the stressors may also impact their offspring. such maternal effects are often considered adaptive and may "prime" the offspring for the same adverse environment, but maternal corticosterone levels do not always match that of the eggs produced. we examined how diet restriction and increased locomotor activity, via exercise training, affected steroid hormone levels of fe ...202031584858
biochemical studies on the lizard, anolis carolinensis. 202012983399
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