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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
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
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
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
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
differential effect of selection against line retrotransposons among vertebrates inferred from whole-genome data and demographic modeling.variation in line composition is one of the major determinants for the substantial size and structural differences among vertebrate genomes. in particular, the larger genomes of mammals are characterized by hundreds of thousands of copies from a single line clade, l1, whereas nonmammalian vertebrates possess a much greater diversity of lines, yet with orders of magnitude less in copy number. it has been proposed that such variation in copy number among vertebrates is due to differential effect o ...201829688421
seasonal regulation of steroidogenic enzyme expression within the green anole lizard (anolis carolinensis) brain and gonad.steroid hormones, such as testosterone and estradiol, are necessary for reproductive behavior. seasonally breeding animals have increased sex steroid hormone levels during the breeding compared to non-breeding season, with increased reproductive behaviors and altered brain morphology in breeding individuals. similar to other seasonally breeding animals, green anole lizards (anolis carolinensis) have high sex steroid hormone levels and increased reproductive behaviors in the breeding season. rela ...201830077794
plasticity and local adaptation explain lizard cold tolerance.how does climate variation limit the range of species and what does it take for species to colonize new regions? in this issue of molecular ecology, campbell-staton et al. () address these broad questions by investigating cold tolerance adaptation in the green anole lizard (anolis carolinensis) across a latitudinal transect. by integrating physiological data, gene expression data and acclimation experiments, the authors disentangle the mechanisms underlying cold adaptation. they first establish ...201829737602
replacement of arg with nle and modified d-phe in the core sequence of mshs, ac-his-d-phe-arg-trp-nh2, leads to hmc1r selectivity and pigmentation.melanoma skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the us [1]. a great need exists for improved formulations and mechanisms to prevent and protect human skin from cancers and other skin damage caused by sunlight exposure. current efforts to prevent uv damage to human skin, which in many cases leads to melanoma and other skin cancers. the primordial melanocortin-1 receptor (mc1r) is involved in regulating skin pigmentation and hair color, which is a natural prevention from uv damage. the endog ...201829679901
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
anolis carolinensis as a model to understand the molecular and cellular basis of foveal development.the fovea is an anatomical specialization of the central retina containing closely packed cone-photoreceptors providing an area of high acuity vision in humans and primates. despite its key role in the clarity of vision, little is known about the molecular and cellular basis of foveal development, due to the absence of a foveal structure in commonly used laboratory animal models. of the amniotes the retina in birds of prey and some reptiles do exhibit a typical foveal structure, but they have no ...201829775563
evolutionary regression and species-specific codon usage of tlr15.toll-like receptors (tlrs) form an ancient family of innate immune receptors that detect microbial structures and activate the host immune response. most subfamilies of tlrs (including tlr3, tlr5, and tlr7) are highly conserved among vertebrate species. in contrast, tlr15, a member of the tlr1 subfamily, appears to be unique to birds and reptiles. we investigated the functional evolution of tlr15. phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealed putative tlr15 orthologs in bird species, several reptil ...201830483270
effects of acute exposures of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and inorganic lead on the fecal microbiome of the green anole (anolis carolinensis).microbiome studies focused on ecologically relevant vertebrate models like reptiles have been limited. because of their relatively small home range, fast maturation, and high fecundity, lizards are an excellent reptilian terrestrial indicator species. for this study we used the green anole, anolis carolinensis, to assess the impact of military relevant contaminants on fecal microbiome composition. fourteen day sub-acute exposures were conducted via oral gavage with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (tnt) an ...201830521592
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
evolution of vertebrate ryanodine receptors family in relation to functional divergence and conservation.ryanodine receptors (ryrs), the large homotetrameric protein complexes, regulate the release of calcium from intracellular stores into the cytosol and play vital roles in the excitation-contraction coupling of cells. however, the evolutionary relationship of ryrs in vertebrates has yet to be elucidated. we identified 22 ryrs from homo sapiens, mus musculus, rattus norvegicus, gallus gallus, anolis carolinensis, rana catesbeiana, and danio rerio. the phylogenetic relationship, motifs analysis and ...201729151485
visual acuity and signal color pattern in an anolis lizard.anolis lizards communicate with colorful dewlaps that often include detailed patterns. we measured the visual acuity of anolis sagrei. lizards viewed a checkerboard pattern of red and yellow-green squares that were too small to resolve, and thus appeared uniform in color. we quickly replaced the center portion of the display with a pattern of larger squares. if the new pattern could be resolved, the lizards perceived a change in color and reflexively shifted gaze toward the target. the acuity th ...201728385798
getprime 2.0: gene- and transcript-specific qpcr primers for 13 species including polymorphisms.getprime (http://bbcftools.epfl.ch/getprime) is a database with a web frontend providing gene- and transcript-specific, pre-computed qpcr primer pairs. the primers have been optimized for genome-wide specificity and for allowing the selective amplification of one or several splice variants of most known genes. to ease selection, primers have also been ranked according to defined criteria such as genome-wide specificity (with blast), amplicon size, and isoform coverage. here, we report a major up ...201728053161
requirement of extracellular ca(2+) binding to specific amino acids for heat-evoked activation of trpa1.we found that extracellular ca(2+) , but not other divalent cations (mg(2+) and ba(2+) ) or intracellular ca(2+) , is involved in heat-evoked activation of green anole (ga) trpa1. heat-evoked activation of chicken (ch) and rat snake (rs) trpa1 does not depend solely on extracellular ca(2+) . neutralization of acidic amino acids on the outer surface of trpa1 by extracellular ca(2+) is important for heat-evoked large activation of gatrpa1, chtrpa1 and rstrpa1.201728194754
the complete mitochondrial genome of lacerta bilineata and comparison with its closely related congener l. viridis.we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the western green lizard (lacerta bilineata) using illumina technology and additional sanger sequencing. the assembled 17 086 bp mitogenome had a gc content of 40.32% and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 trna genes, two rrna genes, and one control region (cr), with a gene order identical to the chordate consensus. in addition, we re-sequenced the mitogenome of the closely related eastern green lizard l. viridis using the same techniques as for l. ...201726709540
identification and characterization of a class of malat1-like genomic loci.the malat1 (metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1) gene encodes a noncoding rna that is processed into a long nuclear retained transcript (malat1) and a small cytoplasmic trna-like transcript (mascrna). using an rna sequence- and structure-based covariance model, we identified more than 130 genomic loci in vertebrate genomes containing the malat1 3' end triple-helix structure and its immediate downstream trna-like structure, including 44 in the green lizard anolis carolinensis. ...201728538188
phylogenetic analyses reveal that schellackia parasites (apicomplexa) detected in american lizards are closely related to the genus lankesterella: is the range of schellackia restricted to the old world?species of schellackia reichenow, 1919 have been described from the blood of reptiles distributed worldwide. recently, schellackia spp. detected in european and asian lizards have been molecularly characterised. however, parasites detected in american lizard hosts remain uncharacterised. thus, phylogenetic affinities between the old and new world parasite species are unknown.201729017602
local and systemic immune responses to different types of phytohemagglutinin in the green anole: lessons for field ecoimmunologists.the phytohemagglutinin (pha) skin test is commonly used by ecologists to assess cell-mediated immune function of wild animals. it can be performed quickly and easily in the field, involving injection of pha and measurement of the resultant swelling. there are multiple formulations of pha used in ecological studies, with potentially differing outcomes that could produce inconsistent results. we tested two common types of pha in the green anole (anolis carolinensis) to identify local and systemic ...201729356446
inferring evolutionary responses of anolis carolinensis introduced into the ogasawara archipelago using whole genome sequence data.invaded species often can rapidly expand and establish in novel environments through adaptive evolution, resulting in devastating effects on native communities. however, it is unclear if genetic variation at whole-genomic levels is actually reduced in the introduced populations and which genetic changes have occurred responding to adaptation to new environments. in the 1960s, anolis carolinensis was introduced onto one of the ogasawara islands, japan, and subsequently expanded its range rapidly ...201729269734
immunocytological analysis of meiotic recombination in two anole lizards (squamata, dactyloidae).although the evolutionary importance of meiotic recombination is not disputed, the significance of interspecies differences in the recombination rates and recombination landscapes remains under-appreciated. recombination rates and distribution of chiasmata have been examined cytologically in many mammalian species, whereas data on other vertebrates are scarce. immunolocalization of the protein of the synaptonemal complex (sycp3), centromere proteins and the mismatch-repair protein mlh1 was used, ...201728919954
winter storms drive rapid phenotypic, regulatory, and genomic shifts in the green anole lizard.extreme environmental perturbations offer opportunities to observe the effects of natural selection in wild populations. during the winter of 2013-2014, the southeastern united states endured an extreme cold event. we used thermal performance, transcriptomics, and genome scans to measure responses of lizard populations to storm-induced selection. we found significant increases in cold tolerance at the species' southern limit. gene expression in southern survivors shifted toward patterns characte ...201728774927
factors restricting the range expansion of the invasive green anole anolis carolinensis on okinawa island, japan.the green anole anolis carolinensis invaded the ogasawara islands in japan, drove various native species to extinction, and its distribution expanded 14 years after initial establishment. a. carolinensis invaded okinawa island, but it has not expanded its distribution in more than 25 years, although its density is extremely high in the southern region. to determine whether a. carolinensis has the potential to expand its distribution on okinawa island, we performed phylogenetic analysis of mitoch ...201728649347
line insertion polymorphisms are abundant but at low frequencies across populations of anolis carolinensis.vertebrate genomes differ considerably in size and structure. among the features that show the most variation is the abundance of long interspersed nuclear elements (lines). mammalian genomes contain 100,000s lines that belong to a single clade, l1, and in most species a single family is usually active at a time. in contrast, non-mammalian vertebrates (fish, amphibians and reptiles) contain multiple active families, belonging to several clades, but each of them is represented by a small number o ...201728450881
cystic calculus in a laboratory-housed green anole (anolis carolinensis).an adult, male, wild-caught, laboratory-housed green anole (anolis carolinensis) on a locomotor performance study was presented for anorexia. the anole exhibited a 26% weight loss and a thin body condition but was otherwise alert and active. despite supportive care, the anole's clinical condition deteriorated, necessitating euthanasia. postmortem examination revealed a 4.5 mm × 2.5-mm cystic calculus, which consisted entirely of sodium urate. here we describe the clinical findings and locomotor ...201728381311
identification and comparative analysis of the epidermal differentiation complex in snakes.the epidermis of snakes efficiently protects against dehydration and mechanical stress. however, only few proteins of the epidermal barrier to the environment have so far been identified in snakes. here, we determined the organization of the epidermal differentiation complex (edc), a cluster of genes encoding protein constituents of cornified epidermal structures, in snakes and compared it to the edcs of other squamates and non-squamate reptiles. the edc of snakes displays shared synteny with th ...201728345630
heteromorphism of "homomorphic" sex chromosomes in two anole species (squamata, dactyloidae) revealed by synaptonemal complex analysis.iguanians (pleurodonta) are one of the reptile lineages that, like birds and mammals, have sex chromosomes of ancient origin. in most iguanians these are microchromosomes, making a distinction between the x and y as well as between homeologous sex chromosomes in other species difficult. meiotic chromosome analysis may be used to elucidate their differentiation, because meiotic prophase chromosomes are longer and less condensed than metaphase chromosomes, and the homologues are paired with each o ...201728315859
evolution of dosage compensation in anolis carolinensis, a reptile with xx/xy chromosomal sex determination.in species with highly heteromorphic sex chromosomes, the degradation of one of the sex chromosomes will result in unequal gene expression between the sexes (e.g. between xx females and xy males) and between the sex chromosomes and the autosomes. dosage compensation is a process whereby genes on the sex chromosomes achieve equal gene expression. we compared genome-wide levels of transcription between males and females, and between the x chromosome and the autosomes in the green anole, anolis car ...201728206607
the effects of dopamine receptor 1 and 2 agonists and antagonists on sexual and aggressive behaviors in male green anoles.the propensity to exhibit social behaviors during interactions with same-sex and opposite-sex conspecifics is modulated by various neurotransmitters, including dopamine. dopamine is a conserved neurotransmitter among vertebrates and dopaminergic receptors are also highly conserved among taxa. activation of d1 and d2 dopamine receptor subtypes has been shown to modulate social behaviors, especially in mammalian and avian studies. however, the specific behavioral functions of these receptors vary ...201728187160
exercise training reveals trade-offs between endurance performance and immune function, but does not influence growth, in juvenile lizards.acquired energetic resources allocated to a particular trait cannot then be re-allocated to a different trait. this often results in a trade-off between survival and reproduction for the adults of many species, but such a trade-off may be manifested differently in juveniles not yet capable of reproduction. whereas adults may allocate resources to current and/or future reproduction, juveniles can only allocate to future reproduction. thus, juveniles should allocate resources toward traits that in ...201728167809
weathering in soil increases nanoparticle cuo bioaccumulation within a terrestrial food chain.this study evaluates the bioaccumulation of unweathered (u) and weathered (w) cuo in np, bulk and ionic form (0-400 mg/kg) by lettuce exposed for 70 d in soil co-contaminated with field incurred chlordane. to evaluate cuo trophic transfer, leaves were fed to crickets (acheta domestica) for 15 d, followed by insect feeding to lizards (anolis carolinensis). upon weathering, the root cu content of the np treatment increased 214% (327 ± 59.1 mg/kg) over unaged treatment. cu root content decreased in ...201728024451
convergent origination of a drosophila-like dosage compensation mechanism in a reptile lineage.sex chromosomes differentiated from different ancestral autosomes in various vertebrate lineages. here, we trace the functional evolution of the xy chromosomes of the green anole lizard (anolis carolinensis), on the basis of extensive high-throughput genome, transcriptome and histone modification sequencing data and revisit dosage compensation evolution in representative mammals and birds with substantial new expression data. our analyses show that anolis sex chromosomes represent an ancient xy ...201729133310
insights into the evolution of a snake venom multi-gene family from the genomic organization of echis ocellatus svmp genes.the molecular events underlying the evolution of the snake venom metalloproteinase (svmp) family from an a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (adam) ancestor remain poorly understood. comparative genomics may provide decisive information to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this multi-locus toxin family. here, we report the genomic organization of echis ocellatus genes encoding svmps from the pii and pi classes. comparisons between them and between these genes and the genomic structures of ...201627420095
diversification in wild populations of the model organism anolis carolinensis: a genome-wide phylogeographic investigation.the green anole (anolis carolinensis) is a lizard widespread throughout the southeastern united states and is a model organism for the study of reproductive behavior, physiology, neural biology, and genomics. previous phylogeographic studies of a. carolinensis using mitochondrial dna and small numbers of nuclear loci identified conflicting and poorly supported relationships among geographically structured clades; these inconsistencies preclude confident use of a. carolinensis evolutionary histor ...201627891220
climate-mediated adaptation after mainland colonization of an ancestrally subtropical island lizard, anolis carolinensis.climate-mediated evolution plays an integral role in species migration and range expansion. gaining a clearer understanding of how climate affects demographic history and adaptation provides fundamental insight into the generation of intra- and interspecific diversity. in this study, we used the natural colonization of the green anole (anolis carolinensis) from the island of cuba to mainland north america to investigate the role of evolution at the niche, phenotypic and genetic levels after long ...201627384884
review: mapping epidermal beta-protein distribution in the lizard anolis carolinensis shows a specific localization for the formation of scales, pads, and claws.the epidermis of lizards is made of multiple alpha- and beta-layers with different characteristics comprising alpha-keratins and corneous beta-proteins (formerly beta-keratins). three main modifications of body scales are present in the lizard anolis carolinensis: gular scales, adhesive pad lamellae, and claws. the 40 corneous beta-proteins present in this specie comprise glycine-rich and glycine-cysteine-rich subfamilies, while the 41 alpha-keratins comprise cysteine-poor and cysteine-rich subf ...201626597267
evolutionary dynamics of anolis sex chromosomes revealed by sequencing of flow sorting-derived microchromosome-specific dna.squamate reptiles show a striking diversity in modes of sex determination, including both genetic (xy or zw) and temperature-dependent sex determination systems. the genomes of only a handful of species have been sequenced, analyzed and assembled including the genome of anolis carolinensis. despite a high genome coverage, only macrochromosomes of a. carolinensis were assembled whereas the content of most microchromosomes remained unclear. most of the anolis species have homomorphic xy sex chromo ...201627431992
lizard tail skeletal regeneration combines aspects of fracture healing and blastema-based regeneration.lizards are amniotes with the remarkable ability to regenerate amputated tails. the early regenerated lizard tail forms a blastema, and the regenerated skeleton consists of a cartilage tube (ct) surrounding the regenerated spinal cord. the proximal, but not distal, ct undergoes hypertrophy and ossifies. we hypothesized that differences in cell sources and signaling account for divergent cartilage development between proximal and distal ct regions. exogenous spinal cord implants induced ectopic c ...201627387871
evolution of ifn-λ in tetrapod vertebrates and its functional characterization in green anole lizard (anolis carolinensis).ifn-λ (ifnl), i.e. type iii ifn genes were found in a conserved gene locus in tetrapod vertebrates. but, a unique locus containing ifnl was found in avian. in turtle and crocodile, ifnl genes were distributed in these two separate loci. as revealed in phylogenetic trees, ifn-λs in these two different loci and other amniotes were grouped into two different clades. the conservation in gene presence and gene locus was also observed for the receptors of ifn-λ, ifn-λr1 and il-10rb in tetrapods. it is ...201627062970
the anolis lizard genome: an amniote genome without isochores?two articles published 5 years ago concluded that the genome of the lizard anolis carolinensis is an amniote genome without isochores. this claim was apparently contradicting previous results on the general presence of an isochore organization in all vertebrate genomes tested (including anolis). in this investigation, we demonstrate that the anolis genome is indeed heterogeneous in base composition, since its macrochromosomes comprise isochores mainly from the l2 and h1 families (a moderately gc ...201626992416
contrasting patterns of evolutionary diversification in the olfactory repertoires of reptile and bird genomes.olfactory receptors (ors) are membrane proteins that mediate the detection of odorants in the environment, and are the largest vertebrate gene family. comparative studies of mammalian genomes indicate that or repertoires vary widely, even between closely related lineages, as a consequence of frequent or gains and losses. several studies also suggest that mammalian or repertoires are influenced by life history traits. sauropsida is a diverse group of vertebrates group that is the sister group to ...201626865070
tail loss and narrow surfaces decrease locomotor stability in the arboreal green anole lizard (anolis carolinensis).tails play an important role in dynamic stabilization during falling and jumping in lizards. yet tail autotomy (the voluntary loss of an appendage) is a common mechanism used for predator evasion in these animals. how tail autotomy has an impact on locomotor performance and stability remains poorly understood. the goal of this study was to determine how tail loss affects running kinematics and performance in the arboreal green anole lizard, anolis carolinensis. lizards were run along four surfac ...201626596530
sexually dimorphic expression of creb binding protein in the green anole brain.green anoles are seasonally breeding lizards in which male sexual behavior is primarily regulated by an annual increase in testosterone. this hormone activates stereotyped behaviors, as well as morphological and biochemical changes in the brain, with greater effect in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. this study is the first description of creb binding protein (cbp) in the reptilian brain, and investigates the possibility that changes in cbp, an androgen receptor coactivator, ...201626363452
anchoring genome sequence to chromosomes of the central bearded dragon (pogona vitticeps) enables reconstruction of ancestral squamate macrochromosomes and identifies sequence content of the z chromosome.squamates (lizards and snakes) are a speciose lineage of reptiles displaying considerable karyotypic diversity, particularly among lizards. understanding the evolution of this diversity requires comparison of genome organisation between species. although the genomes of several squamate species have now been sequenced, only the green anole lizard has any sequence anchored to chromosomes. there is only limited gene mapping data available for five other squamates. this makes it difficult to reconst ...201627286959
tandem amino acid repeats in the green anole (anolis carolinensis) and other squamates may have a role in increasing genetic variability.tandem amino acid repeats are characterised by the consecutive recurrence of a single amino acid. they exhibit high rates of length mutations in addition to point mutations and have been proposed to be involved in genetic plasticity. squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) diversify in both morphology and physiology. the underlying mechanism is yet to be understood. in a previous phylogenomic analysis of reptiles, the density of tandem repeats in an anole lizard diverged heavily from that of the ...201626868501
postembryonic nephrogenesis and persistence of six2-expressing nephron progenitor cells in the reptilian kidney.new nephron formation (nephrogenesis) ceases in mammals around birth and is completely absent in adults. in contrast, postembryonic nephrogenesis is well documented in the mesonephric kidneys of fishes and amphibians. the transient mesonephros in reptiles (including birds) and mammals is replaced by the metanephros during embryogenesis. thus, one may speculate that postembryonic nephrogenesis is restricted to the mesonephric kidney. previous reports have suggested the metanephros of non-avian re ...201627144443
improved prediction of non-methylated islands in vertebrates highlights different characteristic sequence patterns.non-methylated islands (nmis) of dna are genomic regions that are important for gene regulation and development. a recent study of genome-wide non-methylation data in vertebrates by long et al. (elife 2013;2:e00348) has shown that many experimentally identified non-methylated regions do not overlap with classically defined cpg islands which are computationally predicted using simple dna sequence features. this is especially true in cold-blooded vertebrates such as danio rerio (zebrafish). in ord ...201627984582
reptile toll-like receptor 5 unveils adaptive evolution of bacterial flagellin recognition.toll-like receptors (tlr) are ancient innate immune receptors crucial for immune homeostasis and protection against infection. tlrs are present in mammals, birds, amphibians and fish but have not been functionally characterized in reptiles despite the central position of this animal class in vertebrate evolution. here we report the cloning, characterization, and function of tlr5 of the reptile anolis carolinensis (green anole lizard). the receptor (actlr5) displays the typical tlr protein archit ...201626738735
a comprehensive analysis of the phylogeny, genomic organization and expression of immunoglobulin light chain genes in alligator sinensis, an endangered reptile species.crocodilians are evolutionarily distinct reptiles that are distantly related to lizards and are thought to be the closest relatives of birds. compared with birds and mammals, few studies have investigated the ig light chain of crocodilians. here, employing an alligator sinensis genomic bacterial artificial chromosome (bac) library and available genome data, we characterized the genomic organization of the alligator sinensis igl gene loci. the alligator sinensis has two igl isotypes, λ and κ, the ...201626901135
prevalence of klebsiella oxytoca in anolis carolensis of louisiana.klebsiella oxytoca is a gram-negative bacterium that can be found throughout the environment as well as on mucosal membranes of mammals including humans. this bacterium is responsible for a variety of infections in humans including nosocomial infections resulting in hospital outbreaks. reptiles including snakes, tuataras, and turtles have been shown to harbor this bacterium, and previous studies have shown that pet reptiles are a potential source for dissemination of pathogenic bacteria. green a ...201627779443
synuclein expression in the lizard anolis carolinensis.the synuclein (syn) family comprises three proteins: α-, β- and γ-syns. in humans, they are involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as parkinson's disease and in tumors. members of the syn family were sequenced in representative species of all vertebrates and the comparative analysis of amino acid sequences suggests that syns are evolutionarily conserved, but information about their expression in vertebrate lineages is still scarce and completely lacking in reptiles. in this study, the expre ...201627393691
differential expression of conserved and novel micrornas during tail regeneration in the lizard anolis carolinensis.lizards are evolutionarily the most closely related vertebrates to humans that can lose and regrow an entire appendage. regeneration in lizards involves differential expression of hundreds of genes that regulate wound healing, musculoskeletal development, hormonal response, and embryonic morphogenesis. while micrornas are able to regulate large groups of genes, their role in lizard regeneration has not been investigated.201627150582
microsatellite analysis of the population genetic structure of anolis carolinensis introduced to the ogasawara islands.dna analysis can reveal the origins and dispersal patterns of invasive species. the green anole anolis carolinensis is one such alien animal, which has been dispersed widely by humans from its native north america to many pacific ocean islands. in the ogasawara (bonin) islands, this anole was recorded from chichi-jima at the end of the 1960s, and then from haha-jima in the early 1980s. these two islands are inhabited. in 2013, it was also found on the uninhabited ani-jima, close to chichi-jima. ...201525660696
salient features of otoacoustic emissions are common across tetrapod groups and suggest shared properties of generation mechanisms.otoacoustic emissions (oaes) are faint sounds generated by healthy inner ears that provide a window into the study of auditory mechanics. all vertebrate classes exhibit oaes to varying degrees, yet the biophysical origins are still not well understood. here, we analyzed both spontaneous (soae) and stimulus-frequency (sfoae) otoacoustic emissions from a bird (barn owl, tyto alba) and a lizard (green anole, anolis carolinensis). these species possess highly disparate macromorphologies of the inner ...201525737537
herpetofaunal community change in multiple habitats after fifteen years in a southwest florida preserve, usa.herpetofaunal declines have been documented globally, and southern florida, usa, is an especially vulnerable region because of high impacts from hydrological perturbations and nonindigenous species. to assess the extent of recent change in herpetofauna community composition, we established a baseline inventory during 1995-97 at a managed preserve in a habitat rich area of southwest florida, and repeated our sampling methods fifteen years later (2010-11). nine drift fence arrays were placed in fo ...201526016475
karyotype reorganization in the hokou gecko (gekko hokouensis, gekkonidae): the process of microchromosome disappearance in gekkota.the hokou gecko (gekko hokouensis: gekkonidae, gekkota, squamata) has the chromosome number 2n = 38, with no microchromosomes. for molecular cytogenetic characterization of the gekkotan karyotype, we constructed a cytogenetic map for g. hokouensis, which retains the ancestral karyotype of gekkota, with 86 functional genes, and compared it with cytogenetic maps for four toxicofera species that have many microchromosomes (elaphe quadrivirgata, varanus salvator macromaculatus, leiolepis reevesii ru ...201526241471
the full globin repertoire of turtles provides insights into vertebrate globin evolution and functions.globins are small heme proteins that play an important role in oxygen supply, but may also have other functions. globins offer a unique opportunity to study the functional evolution of genes and proteins. we have characterized the globin repertoire of two different turtle species: the chinese softshell turtle (pelodiscus sinensis) and the western painted turtle (chrysemys picta bellii). in the genomes of both species, we have identified eight distinct globin types: hemoglobin (hb), myoglobin, ne ...201526078264
high-coverage sequencing and annotated assembly of the genome of the australian dragon lizard pogona vitticeps.the lizards of the family agamidae are one of the most prominent elements of the australian reptile fauna. here, we present a genomic resource built on the basis of a wild-caught male zz central bearded dragon pogona vitticeps.201526421146
analysis of the reptile cd1 genes: evolutionary implications.cd1, as the third family of antigen-presenting molecules, is previously only found in mammals and chickens, which suggests that the chicken and mammalian cd1 shared a common ancestral gene emerging at least 310 million years ago. here, we describe cd1 genes in the green anole lizard and crocodylia, demonstrating that cd1 is ubiquitous in mammals, birds, and reptiles. although the reptilian cd1 protein structures are predicted to be similar to human cd1d and chicken cd1.1, cd1 isotypes are not fo ...201525921705
immunolocalization of large corneous beta-proteins in the green anole lizard (anolis carolinensis) suggests that they form filaments that associate to the smaller beta-proteins in the beta-layer of the epidermis.the distribution of large corneous beta-proteins of 18-43 kda (ac37, 39, and 40) in the epidermis of the lizard anolis carolinensis is unknown. this study analyses the localization of these beta-proteins in different body scales during regeneration. western blot analysis indicates most protein bands at 40-50 kda suggesting they mix with alpha-keratin of intermediate filament keratin proteins. ac37 is present in mature alpha-layers of most scales and in beta-cells of the outer scale surface in so ...201526220876
sprint sensitivity and locomotor trade-offs in green anole (anolis carolinensis) lizards.how well an organism completes an ecologically relevant task - its performance - is often considered a key factor in determining individual fitness. historically, ecomorphological studies have examined how morphological traits determine individual performance in a static manner, assuming that differential fitness in a population is due indirectly to differences in morphological traits that determine a simple measure of performance. this assumption, however, ignores many ecological factors that c ...201526202776
low efficiency ido2 enzymes are conserved in lower vertebrates, whereas higher efficiency ido1 enzymes are dispensable.indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (ido) is a trp-degrading enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the kynurenine pathway. two ido genes, ido1 and ido2, are found in vertebrates and the timing of the gene duplication giving rise to the genes has been controversial. in the present study, we report that several fishes and two turtles also have both ido1 and ido2. this represents definitive evidence for the gene duplication occurring before the divergence of vertebrates, with ido1 having been lost in a n ...201525950090
immunocytochemical detection of beta-defensins and cathelicidins in the secretory granules of the tongue in the lizard anolis carolinensis.previous molecular studies indicated that antimicrobial peptides in lizard are expressed in the skin and tongue among other epithelial organs. the present ultrastructural immunogold study aimed to detect the specific location of three broadly expressed antimicrobial peptides in the tongue of the lizard anolis carolinensis. the immunocytochemical study indicated that beta-defensin-15, the likely main defensin of granulocytes and skin, is poorly expressed in some dense and medium-dense granules of ...201525744089
immunolocalization of loricrin in the maturing α-layer of normal and regenerating epidermis of the lizard anolis carolinensis.numerous corneous proteins are produced during the differentiation of the complex lizard epidermis, comprising hard β-layers and softer α-layers. in the present ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study, we have localized a homolog of the mammalian skin barrier protein loricrin in the skin of the green anole lizard (anolis carolinensis). we used an antibody specific to the carboxyterminus of loricrin 1, a gene of the epidermal differentiation complex (edc) of a. carolinensis. lizard loricrin ...201525690302
making olympic lizards: the effects of specialised exercise training on performance.exercise training is well known to affect a suite of physiological and performance traits in mammals, but effects of training in other vertebrate tetrapod groups have been inconsistent. we examined performance and physiological differences among green anole lizards (anolis carolinensis) that were trained for sprinting or endurance, using an increasingly rigorous training regimen over 8 weeks. lizards trained for endurance had significantly higher post-training endurance capacity compared with th ...201525617462
hormonal regulation of steroid receptor coactivator-1 mrna in the male and female green anole brain.green anole lizards are seasonal breeders, with male sexual behaviour primarily regulated by an annual increase in testosterone. morphological, biochemical and behavioural changes associated with reproduction are activated by testosterone, generally with a greater effect in the breeding season (bs) than in the nonbreeding season (nbs). the present study investigates the possibility that differences in a steroid receptor coactivator may regulate this seasonal difference in responsiveness to testo ...201525557947
fixing formalin: a method to recover genomic-scale dna sequence data from formalin-fixed museum specimens using high-throughput sequencing.for 150 years or more, specimens were routinely collected and deposited in natural history collections without preserving fresh tissue samples for genetic analysis. in the case of most herpetological specimens (i.e. amphibians and reptiles), attempts to extract and sequence dna from formalin-fixed, ethanol-preserved specimens-particularly for use in phylogenetic analyses-has been laborious and largely ineffective due to the highly fragmented nature of the dna. as a result, tens of thousands of s ...201526505622
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