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Articles 31 - 60 of 340
Full-Text Articles in Biology
How New Communication Behaviors Evolve: Androgens As Modifiers Of Neuromotor Structure And Function In Foot-Flagging Frogs, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Allex Andrya Dawn, Kerry M. Lecure, Gina E. Mantica, Riccardo Racicot, Matthew J. Fuxjager, Doris Preininger
How New Communication Behaviors Evolve: Androgens As Modifiers Of Neuromotor Structure And Function In Foot-Flagging Frogs, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Allex Andrya Dawn, Kerry M. Lecure, Gina E. Mantica, Riccardo Racicot, Matthew J. Fuxjager, Doris Preininger
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
How diverse animal communication signals have arisen is a question that has fascinated many. Xenopus frogs have been a model system used for three decades to reveal insights into the neuroendocrine mechanisms and evolution of vocal diversity. Due to the ease of studying central nervous system control of the laryngeal muscles in vitro, Xenopus has helped us understand how variation in vocal communication signals between sexes and between species is produced at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels. Yet, it is becoming easier to make similar advances in non-model organisms. In this paper, we summarize our research on a group …
Foraminifera As A Model Of Eukaryotic Genome Dynamism, Caitlin Timmons, Kristine Le, H. B. Rappaport, Elinor G. Sterner, Xyrus X. Maurer-Alcaláh, Susan T. Goldstein, Laura A. Katz
Foraminifera As A Model Of Eukaryotic Genome Dynamism, Caitlin Timmons, Kristine Le, H. B. Rappaport, Elinor G. Sterner, Xyrus X. Maurer-Alcaláh, Susan T. Goldstein, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
In contrast to the canonical view that genomes cycle only between haploid and diploid states, many eukaryotes have dynamic genomes that change content throughout an individual’s life cycle. However, the few detailed studies of microeukaryotic life cycles render our understanding of eukaryotic genome dynamism incomplete. Foraminifera (Rhizaria) are an ecologically important, yet understudied, clade of microbial eukaryotes with complex life cycles that include changes in ploidy and genome organization. Here, we apply fluorescence microscopy and image analysis techniques to over 2,800 nuclei in 110 cells to characterize the life cycle of Allogromia laticollaris strain Cold Spring Harbor (CSH), one of …
Testate Amoebae (Arcellinida, Amoebozoa) Community Diversity In New England Bogs And Fens Assessed Through Lineage-Specific Amplicon Sequencing, Olivia K. Dufour, Evie Hoffman, Robin S. Sleith, Laura A. Katz, Agnes K.M. Weiner, Taylor R. Sehein
Testate Amoebae (Arcellinida, Amoebozoa) Community Diversity In New England Bogs And Fens Assessed Through Lineage-Specific Amplicon Sequencing, Olivia K. Dufour, Evie Hoffman, Robin S. Sleith, Laura A. Katz, Agnes K.M. Weiner, Taylor R. Sehein
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Testate amoebae (order Arcellinida) are abundant in freshwater ecosystems, including low pH bogs and fens. Within these environments, Arcellinida are considered top predators in microbial food webs and their tests are useful bioindicators of paleoclimatic changes and anthropogenic pollutants. Accurate species identifications and characterizations of diversity are important for studies of paleoclimate, microbial ecology, and environmental change; however, morphological species definitions mask cryptic diversity, which is a common phenomenon among microbial eukaryotes. Lineage-specific primers recently designed to target Arcellinida for amplicon sequencing successfully captured a poorly-described yet diverse fraction of the microbial eukaryotic community. Here, we leveraged the application of …
How Development And Survival Combine To Determine The Thermal Sensitivity Of Insects, Mariana Abarca, Anna L. Parker, Elise A. Larsen, James Umbanhowar, Chandra Earl, Robert Guralnick, Joel Kingsolver, Leslie Ries
How Development And Survival Combine To Determine The Thermal Sensitivity Of Insects, Mariana Abarca, Anna L. Parker, Elise A. Larsen, James Umbanhowar, Chandra Earl, Robert Guralnick, Joel Kingsolver, Leslie Ries
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Thermal performance curves (TPCs) depict variation in vital rates in response to temperature and have been an important tool to understand ecological and evolutionary constraints on the thermal sensitivity of ectotherms. TPCs allow for the calculation of indicators of thermal tolerance, such as minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures that allow for a given metabolic function. However, these indicators are computed using only responses from surviving individuals, which can lead to underestimation of deleterious effects of thermal stress, particularly at high temperatures. Here, we advocate for an integrative frame- work for assessing thermal sensitivity, which combines both vital rates and survival …
Forty Years Of Inferential Methods In The Journals Of The Society For Molecular Biology And Evolution, Claudia A.M. Russo, Adam Eyre-Walker, Laura A. Katz, Brandon S. Gaut
Forty Years Of Inferential Methods In The Journals Of The Society For Molecular Biology And Evolution, Claudia A.M. Russo, Adam Eyre-Walker, Laura A. Katz, Brandon S. Gaut
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
We are launching a series to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first issue of Molecular Biology and Evolution. In 2024, we will publish virtual issues containing selected papers published in the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution journals, Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution. Each virtual issue will be accompanied by a perspective that highlights the historic and contemporary contributions of our journals to a specific topic in molecular evolution. This perspective, the first in the series, presents an account of the broad array of methods that have been published in the Society for Molecular Biology …
A Snapshot Into The Lives Of Elephants: Camera Traps And Conservation In Etosha National Park, Namibia, Jodie L. Berezin, Amanda J. Odom, Virginia Hayssen, Caitlin E. O'Connell-Rodwell
A Snapshot Into The Lives Of Elephants: Camera Traps And Conservation In Etosha National Park, Namibia, Jodie L. Berezin, Amanda J. Odom, Virginia Hayssen, Caitlin E. O'Connell-Rodwell
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Knowledge of elephant movement and grouping patterns in the wild is critical for their management and conservation. Much of these data come from GPS collar data and aerial surveys, which have provided invaluable information, but data from these methods are often limited to small groups or entire populations. Effective elephant management requires both generalized and localized methodologies. Here, we propose the expanded use of camera traps in research relating to elephant localized movements and grouping patterns as an additional tool for elephant conservation management. In this study, we use a battery-powered camera trap to provide daily high-resolution data of African …
Genome Assembly Of The Foot-Flagging Frog, Staurois Parvus: A Resource For Understanding Mechanisms Of Behavior, Mika A. Holtz, Riccardo Racicot, Doris Preininger, Adam M.M. Stuckert, Lisa A. Mangiamele
Genome Assembly Of The Foot-Flagging Frog, Staurois Parvus: A Resource For Understanding Mechanisms Of Behavior, Mika A. Holtz, Riccardo Racicot, Doris Preininger, Adam M.M. Stuckert, Lisa A. Mangiamele
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Elaborate and skilled movements of the body have been selected in a variety of species as courtship and rivalry signals. One roadblock in studying these behaviors has been a lack of resources for understanding how they evolved at the genetic level. The Bornean rock frog (Staurois parvus) is an ideal species in which to address this issue. Males wave their hindlimbs in a "foot-flagging"display when competing for mates. The evolution of foot flagging in S. parvus and other species is accompanied by increases in the expression of the androgen receptor gene within its neuromuscular system, but it remains unclear what …
Effect Of Tamoxifen On Proteome Expression During In Vitro Myogenesis In Murine Skeletal Muscle C2C12 Cells, Emily A. Morris, Ahlenne Abreu, S. P. Scordilis
Effect Of Tamoxifen On Proteome Expression During In Vitro Myogenesis In Murine Skeletal Muscle C2C12 Cells, Emily A. Morris, Ahlenne Abreu, S. P. Scordilis
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Tamoxifen (TMX), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is commonly used in the treatment of hormone-responsive cancers. However, the effects of TMX in anabolic tissues harboring estrogen receptors, such as skeletal muscle, are poorly understood. We report a tandem mass-tag approach to TMX-treated myogenesis in C2C12 cells, a well-characterized model of in vitro murine skeletal muscle differentiation. A longitudinal analysis of >10,000 proteins identified in untreated C2C12 myogenesis revealed a novel subset of 1,062 myogenically regulated proteins. These proteins clustered into five distinct longitudinal expression trends which significantly overlap those obtained in similar analyses performed …
Updated Virophage Taxonomy And Distinction From Polinton-Like Viruses, Simon Roux, Matthias G. Fischer, Thomas Hackl, Laura A. Katz, Frederik Schulz, Natalya Yutin
Updated Virophage Taxonomy And Distinction From Polinton-Like Viruses, Simon Roux, Matthias G. Fischer, Thomas Hackl, Laura A. Katz, Frederik Schulz, Natalya Yutin
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Virophages are small dsDNA viruses that hijack the machinery of giant viruses during the co-infection of a protist (i.e., microeukaryotic) host and represent an exceptional case of “hyperparasitism” in the viral world. While only a handful of virophages have been isolated, a vast diversity of virophage-like sequences have been uncovered from diverse metagenomes. Their wide ecological distribution, idiosyncratic infection and replication strategy, ability to integrate into protist and giant virus genomes and potential role in antiviral defense have made virophages a topic of broad interest. However, one limitation for further studies is the lack of clarity regarding the nomenclature and …
Exploring The Diversity Of Microeukaryotic Communities In New England Tide Pools, Adri K. Grow, Robin S. Sleith, Taylor R. Sehein, Michaela Labare, Laura A. Katz
Exploring The Diversity Of Microeukaryotic Communities In New England Tide Pools, Adri K. Grow, Robin S. Sleith, Taylor R. Sehein, Michaela Labare, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Though historically understudied, due in large part to most species being uncultivable, microbial eukaryotes (i.e. protists) are abundant and widespread across diverse habitats. Recent advances in molecular techniques, including metabarcoding, allow for the characterization of poorly known protist lineages. This study surveys the diversity of SAR (Stramenopila, Alveolata, and Rhizaria), a major eukaryotic clade that is estimated to represent about half of all eukaryotic diversity. SAR lineages use varied metabolic strategies like mixotrophy in dinoflagellates (Alveolata), parasitism in apicomplexans (Alveolata) and labyrinthulids (Stramenopila), and life cycle stages that include encystment and attachment (e.g. in ciliates, Alveolata) to survive in highly …
Updated Virophage Taxonomy And Distinction From Polinton-Like Viruses, Simon Roux, Matthias G. Fischer, Thomas Hackl, Laura A. Katz, Frederik Schulz, Natalya Yutin
Updated Virophage Taxonomy And Distinction From Polinton-Like Viruses, Simon Roux, Matthias G. Fischer, Thomas Hackl, Laura A. Katz, Frederik Schulz, Natalya Yutin
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Virophages are small dsDNA viruses that hijack the machinery of giant viruses during the co-infection of a protist (i.e., microeukaryotic) host and represent an exceptional case of “hyperparasitism” in the viral world. While only a handful of virophages have been isolated, a vast diversity of virophage-like sequences have been uncovered from diverse metagenomes. Their wide ecological distribution, idiosyncratic infection and replication strategy, ability to integrate into protist and giant virus genomes and potential role in antiviral defense have made virophages a topic of broad interest. However, one limitation for further studies is the lack of clarity regarding the nomenclature and …
Targeting A Highly Repetitive Genomic Sequence For Sensitive And Specific Molecular Detection Of The Filarial Parasite Mansonella Perstans From Human Blood And Mosquitoes, Nils Pilotte, Tamara Thomas, Michael F. Zulch, Allison R. Sirois, Corrado Minetti, Lisa J. Reimer, Steven A. Williams, Lori J. Saunders
Targeting A Highly Repetitive Genomic Sequence For Sensitive And Specific Molecular Detection Of The Filarial Parasite Mansonella Perstans From Human Blood And Mosquitoes, Nils Pilotte, Tamara Thomas, Michael F. Zulch, Allison R. Sirois, Corrado Minetti, Lisa J. Reimer, Steven A. Williams, Lori J. Saunders
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Background Mansonella perstans is among the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases and is believed to cause more human infections than any other filarial pathogen in Africa. Based largely upon assumptions of limited infection-associated morbidity, this pathogen remains understudied, and many basic questions pertaining to its pathogenicity, distribution, prevalence, and vector-host relationships remain unanswered. However, in recent years, mounting evidence of the potential for increased Mansonella infection-associated disease has sparked a renewal in research interest. This, in turn, has produced a need for improved diagnostics, capable of providing more accurate pictures of infection prevalence, pathogen distribution, and vector-host interactions. …
Extracellular Dnases Facilitate Antagonism And Coexistence In Bacterial Competitor-Sensing Interference Competition, Aoi Ogawa, Christophe Golé, Maria Bermudez, Odrine Habarugira, Gabrielle Joslin, Taylor Mccain, Autumn Mineo, Jennifer Wise, Julie Xiong, Katherine Yan, Jan A.C. Vriezen
Extracellular Dnases Facilitate Antagonism And Coexistence In Bacterial Competitor-Sensing Interference Competition, Aoi Ogawa, Christophe Golé, Maria Bermudez, Odrine Habarugira, Gabrielle Joslin, Taylor Mccain, Autumn Mineo, Jennifer Wise, Julie Xiong, Katherine Yan, Jan A.C. Vriezen
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Over the last 4 decades, the rate of discovery of novel antibiotics has decreased drastically, ending the era of fortuitous antibiotic discovery. A better understanding of the biology of bacteriogenic toxins potentially helps to prospect for new antibiotics. To initiate this line of research, we quantified antagonists from two different sites at two different depths of soil and found the relative number of antagonists to correlate with the bacterial load and carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio of the soil. Consecutive studies show the importance of antagonist interactions between soil isolates and the lack of a predicted role for nutrient availability and, therefore, …
Integrated Xenosurveillance Of Loa Loa, Wuchereria Bancrofti, Mansonella Perstans And Plasmodium Falciparum Using Mosquito Carcasses And Faeces: A Pilot Study In Cameroon, Joseph Pryce, Nils Pilotte, Benjamin Menze, Allison R. Sirois, Michael Zulch, Jean Pierre Agbor, Steven A. Williams, Charles S. Wondji, Lisa Reimer
Integrated Xenosurveillance Of Loa Loa, Wuchereria Bancrofti, Mansonella Perstans And Plasmodium Falciparum Using Mosquito Carcasses And Faeces: A Pilot Study In Cameroon, Joseph Pryce, Nils Pilotte, Benjamin Menze, Allison R. Sirois, Michael Zulch, Jean Pierre Agbor, Steven A. Williams, Charles S. Wondji, Lisa Reimer
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Background Community presence of loiasis must be determined before mass drug administration programmes for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis can be implemented. However, taking human blood samples for loiasis surveillance is invasive and operationally challenging. A xenosurveillance approach based on the molecular screening of mosquitoes and their excreta/feces (E/F) for Loa loa DNA may provide a non-invasive method for detecting the community presence of loiasis. Methods We collected 770 wild mosquitoes during a pilot study in a known loiasis transmission area in Mbalmayo, Cameroon. Of these, 376 were preserved immediately while 394 were kept in pools to collect 36-hour E/F samples …
Epigenetic Influences Of Mobile Genetic Elements On Ciliate Genome Architecture And Evolution, Caitlin M. Timmons, Shahed U.A. Shazib, Laura A. Katz
Epigenetic Influences Of Mobile Genetic Elements On Ciliate Genome Architecture And Evolution, Caitlin M. Timmons, Shahed U.A. Shazib, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are transient genetic material that can move either within a single organism's genome or between individuals or species. While historically considered “junk” DNA (i.e., deleterious or at best neutral), more recent studies reveal the potential adaptive advantages MGEs provide in lineages across the tree of life. Ciliates, a group of single-celled microbial eukaryotes characterized by nuclear dimorphism, exemplify how epigenetic influences from MGEs shape genome architecture and patterns of molecular evolution. Ciliate nuclear dimorphism may have evolved as a response to transposon invasion and ciliates have since co-opted transposons to carry out programmed DNA deletion. Another …
Taxon-Rich Transcriptomics Supports Higher-Level Phylogeny And Major Evolutionary Trends In Foraminifera, Roberto Sierra, Florian Mauffrey, Joana Cruz, Maria Holzmann, Andrew J. Gooday, Xyrus Maurer-Alcalá, Rabindra Thakur, Mattia Greco, Agnes K.M. Weiner, Laura A. Katz, Jan Pawlowski
Taxon-Rich Transcriptomics Supports Higher-Level Phylogeny And Major Evolutionary Trends In Foraminifera, Roberto Sierra, Florian Mauffrey, Joana Cruz, Maria Holzmann, Andrew J. Gooday, Xyrus Maurer-Alcalá, Rabindra Thakur, Mattia Greco, Agnes K.M. Weiner, Laura A. Katz, Jan Pawlowski
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Foraminifera, classified in the supergroup Rhizaria, are a common and highly diverse group of mainly marine protists. Despite their evolutionary and ecological importance, only limited genomic data (one partial genome and nine transcriptomic datasets) have been published for this group. Foraminiferal molecular phylogeny is largely based on 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. However, due to highly variable evolutionary rates of substitution in ribosomal genes plus the existence of intragenomic variation at this locus, the relationships between and within foraminiferal classes remain uncertain. We analyze transcriptomic data from 28 species, adding 19 new species to the previously published dataset, including members …
Global Variation In Nonstructural Carbohydrate Stores In Response To Climate, Meghan Blumstein, Jess T. Gersony, Jordi Martínez-Vilalta, Anna Sala
Global Variation In Nonstructural Carbohydrate Stores In Response To Climate, Meghan Blumstein, Jess T. Gersony, Jordi Martínez-Vilalta, Anna Sala
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Woody plant species store nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) for many functions.While known to buffer against fluctuations in photosynthetic supply, such as at night, NSC stores are also thought to buffer against environmental extremes, such as drought or freezing temperatures by serving as either back-up energy reserves orosmolytes. However, a clear picture of how NSCs are shaped by climate is still lack-ing. Here, we update and leverage a unique global database of seasonal NSC storage measurements to examine whether maximum total NSC stores and the amount of soluble sugars are associated with clinal patterns in low temperatures or aridity, indicating they may …
Evaluating Molecular Xenomonitoring As A Tool For Lymphatic Filariasis Surveillance In Samoa, 2018–2019, Brady Mcpherson, Helen J. Mayfield, Angus Mclure, Katherine Gass, Take Naseri, Robert Thomsen, Steven A. Williams, Nils Pilotte, Therese Kearns, Patricia M. Graves, Colleen L. Lau
Evaluating Molecular Xenomonitoring As A Tool For Lymphatic Filariasis Surveillance In Samoa, 2018–2019, Brady Mcpherson, Helen J. Mayfield, Angus Mclure, Katherine Gass, Take Naseri, Robert Thomsen, Steven A. Williams, Nils Pilotte, Therese Kearns, Patricia M. Graves, Colleen L. Lau
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), the detection of filarial DNA in mosquitoes using molecular methods (PCR), is a potentially useful surveillance strategy for lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination programs. Delay in filarial antigen (Ag) clearance post-treatment is a limitation of using human surveys to provide an early indicator of the impact of mass drug administration (MDA), and MX may be more useful in this setting. We compared prevalence of infected mosquitoes pre- and post-MDA (2018 and 2019) in 35 primary sampling units (PSUs) in Samoa, and investigated associations between the presence of PCR-positive mosquitoes and Ag-positive humans. We observed a statistically significant decline …
Activational Vs. Organizational Effects Of Sex Steroids And Their Role In The Evolution Of Reproductive Behavior: Looking To Foot-Flagging Frogs And Beyond, Nigel K. Anderson, Sarah E. Goodwin, Eric R. Schuppe, Allexandrya Dawn, Doris Preininger, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Matthew J. Fuxjager
Activational Vs. Organizational Effects Of Sex Steroids And Their Role In The Evolution Of Reproductive Behavior: Looking To Foot-Flagging Frogs And Beyond, Nigel K. Anderson, Sarah E. Goodwin, Eric R. Schuppe, Allexandrya Dawn, Doris Preininger, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Matthew J. Fuxjager
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Sex steroids play an important role in regulation of the vertebrate reproductive phenotype. This is because sex steroids not only activate sexual behaviors that mediate copulation, courtship, and aggression, but they also help guide the development of neural and muscular systems that underlie these traits. Many biologists have therefore described the effects of sex steroid action on reproductive behavior as both “activational” and “organizational,” respectively. Here, we focus on these phenomena from an evolutionary standpoint, highlighting that we know relatively little about the way that organizational effects evolve in the natural world to support the adaptation and diversification of reproductive …
Phylogenomic Analyses Of 2,786 Genes In 158 Lineages Support A Root Of The Eukaryotic Tree Of Life Between Opisthokonts And All Other Lineages, Mario A. Cerón-Romero, Miguel M. Fonseca, Leonardo De Oliveira Martins, David Posada, Laura A. Katz
Phylogenomic Analyses Of 2,786 Genes In 158 Lineages Support A Root Of The Eukaryotic Tree Of Life Between Opisthokonts And All Other Lineages, Mario A. Cerón-Romero, Miguel M. Fonseca, Leonardo De Oliveira Martins, David Posada, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Advances in phylogenomics and high-throughput sequencing have allowed the reconstruction of deep phylogenetic relationships in the evolution of eukaryotes. Yet, the root of the eukaryotic tree of life remains elusive. The most popular hypothesis in textbooks and reviews is a root between Unikonta (Opisthokonta + Amoebozoa) and Bikonta (all other eukaryotes), which emerged from analyses of a single-gene fusion. Subsequent, highly cited studies based on concatenation of genes supported this hypothesis with some variations or proposed a root within Excavata. However, concatenation of genes does not consider phylogenetically-informative events like gene duplications and losses. A recent study using gene tree …
Illuminating Protist Diversity In Pitcher Plants And Bromeliad Tanks, Robin S. Sleith, Laura A. Katz
Illuminating Protist Diversity In Pitcher Plants And Bromeliad Tanks, Robin S. Sleith, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Many species of plants have evolved structures called phytotelmata that store water and trap detritus and prey. These structures house diverse communities of organisms, the inquiline microbiome, that aids breakdown of litter and prey. The invertebrate and bacterial food webs in these systems are well characterized, but less is known about microbial eukaryotic community dynamics. In this study we focus on microbes in the SAR clade (Stramenopila, Alveolata, Rhizaria) inhabiting phytotelmata. Using small subunit rDNA amplicon sequencing from repeated temporal and geographic samples of wild and cultivated plants across the Northeast U.S.A., we demonstrate that communities are variable within and …
Scientist's Warning On Climate Change And Insects, Jeffrey A. Harvey, Kévin Tougeron, Rieta Gols, Robin Heinen, Mariana Abarca, Et Al
Scientist's Warning On Climate Change And Insects, Jeffrey A. Harvey, Kévin Tougeron, Rieta Gols, Robin Heinen, Mariana Abarca, Et Al
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Climate warming is considered to be among the most serious of anthropogenic stresses to the environment, because it not only has direct effects on biodiversity, but it also exacerbates the harmful effects of other human-mediate threats. The associated consequences are potentially severe, particularly in terms of threats to species preservation, as well as in the preservation of an array of ecosystem services provided by biodiversity. Among the most affected groups of animals are insects—central components of many ecosystems—for which climate change has pervasive effects from individuals to communities. In this contribution to the scientists’ warning series, we summarize the effect …
Old Genes In New Places: A Taxon-Rich Analysis Of Interdomain Lateral Gene Transfer Events, Auden Cote-L’Heureux, Xyrus X. Maurer-Alcalá, Laura A. Katz
Old Genes In New Places: A Taxon-Rich Analysis Of Interdomain Lateral Gene Transfer Events, Auden Cote-L’Heureux, Xyrus X. Maurer-Alcalá, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Vertical inheritance is foundational to Darwinian evolution, but fails to explain major innovations such as the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria and the origin of photosynthesis in eukaryotes. While lateral gene transfer (LGT) is recognized as an evolutionary force in prokaryotes, the role of LGT in eukaryotic evolution is less clear. With the exception of the transfer of genes from organelles to the nucleus, a process termed endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT), the extent of interdomain transfer from prokaryotes to eukaryotes is highly debated. A common critique of studies of interdomain LGT is the reliance on the topology of …
Of Mutualism And Migration: Will Interactions With Novel Ericoid Mycorrhizal Communities Help Or Hinder Northward Rhododendron Range Shifts?, Taryn L. Mueller, Elena Karlsen-Ayala, David A. Moeller, Jesse Bellemare
Of Mutualism And Migration: Will Interactions With Novel Ericoid Mycorrhizal Communities Help Or Hinder Northward Rhododendron Range Shifts?, Taryn L. Mueller, Elena Karlsen-Ayala, David A. Moeller, Jesse Bellemare
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Rapid climate change imperils many small-ranged endemic species as the climate envelopes of their native ranges shift poleward. In addition to abiotic changes, biotic interactions are expected to play a critical role in plant species’ responses. Below-ground interactions are of particular interest given increasing evidence of microbial effects on plant performance and the prevalence of mycorrhizal mutualisms. We used greenhouse mesocosm experiments to investigate how natural northward migration/assisted colonization of Rhododendron catawbiense, a small-ranged endemic eastern U.S. shrub, might be influenced by novel below-ground biotic interactions from soils north of its native range, particularly with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (ERM). We …
Examining The Relationship Between The Testate Amoeba Hyalosphenia Papilio (Arcellinida, Amoebozoa) And Its Associated Intracellular Microalgae Using Molecular And Microscopic Methods, Agnes K.M. Weiner, Billie Cullison, Shailesh V. Date, Tomáš Tyml, Jean Marie Volland, Tanja Woyke, Laura A. Katz, Robin S. Sleith
Examining The Relationship Between The Testate Amoeba Hyalosphenia Papilio (Arcellinida, Amoebozoa) And Its Associated Intracellular Microalgae Using Molecular And Microscopic Methods, Agnes K.M. Weiner, Billie Cullison, Shailesh V. Date, Tomáš Tyml, Jean Marie Volland, Tanja Woyke, Laura A. Katz, Robin S. Sleith
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Symbiotic relationships between heterotrophic and phototrophic partners are common in microbial eukaryotes. Among Arcellinida (Amoebozoa) several species are associated with microalgae of the genus Chlorella (Archaeplastida). So far, these symbioses were assumed to be stable and mutualistic, yet details of the interactions are limited. Here, we analyzed 22 single-cell transcriptomes and 36 partially-sequenced genomes of the Arcellinida morphospecies Hyalosphenia papilio, which contains Chlorella algae, to shed light on the amoeba-algae association. By characterizing the genetic diversity of associated Chlorella, we detected two distinct clades that can be linked to host genetic diversity, yet at the same time show a biogeographic …
Comparing Physiological Responses To Hot And Cold Stress In A Cnidarian–Algal Holobiont, Exaiptasia Diaphana, Nicole Capozzi, Eyananda Ahmed, Ezra Curtis, Olivia Grandbois, Dominique Kelly, Kadin Kristjansson, Natalie Morgan, Louis Schlecker, Rachel M. Wright
Comparing Physiological Responses To Hot And Cold Stress In A Cnidarian–Algal Holobiont, Exaiptasia Diaphana, Nicole Capozzi, Eyananda Ahmed, Ezra Curtis, Olivia Grandbois, Dominique Kelly, Kadin Kristjansson, Natalie Morgan, Louis Schlecker, Rachel M. Wright
Other Student Projects
Coral bleaching—the breakdown of the cnidarian–algal symbiosis—is a major cause of reef decline. The sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana, commonly known as Aiptasia, is used as a model to study cnidarian-algal symbiosis in laboratory settings. Aiptasia can live with or without symbionts, which allows scientists to study the host combined and separate from the influence of the symbionts. Scientists are able to trigger the breakdown of the symbiosis using heat or cold stress. Cold stress is more commonly used to render aposymbiotic Aiptasia because it seems to be less harmful to the host than bleaching under heat stress. Is cold …
Benchmarking Ultra-High Molecular Weight Dna Preservation Methods For Long-Read And Long-Range Sequencing, Hollis A. Dahn, Jacquelyn Mountcastle, Jennifer Balacco, Sylke Winkler, Iliana Bista, Anthony D. Schmitt, Olga Vinnere Pettersson, Giulio Formenti, Karen Oliver, Michelle Smith, Wenhua Tan, Anne Kraus, Stephen Mac, Lisa M. Komoroske, Tanya Lama, Andrew J. Crawford, Robert W. Murphy, Samara Brown, Alan F. Scott, Phillip A. Morin, Erich D. Jarvis, Olivier Fedrigo
Benchmarking Ultra-High Molecular Weight Dna Preservation Methods For Long-Read And Long-Range Sequencing, Hollis A. Dahn, Jacquelyn Mountcastle, Jennifer Balacco, Sylke Winkler, Iliana Bista, Anthony D. Schmitt, Olga Vinnere Pettersson, Giulio Formenti, Karen Oliver, Michelle Smith, Wenhua Tan, Anne Kraus, Stephen Mac, Lisa M. Komoroske, Tanya Lama, Andrew J. Crawford, Robert W. Murphy, Samara Brown, Alan F. Scott, Phillip A. Morin, Erich D. Jarvis, Olivier Fedrigo
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Background: Studies in vertebrate genomics require sampling from a broad range of tissue types, taxa, and localities. Recent advancements in long-read and long-range genome sequencing have made it possible to produce high-quality chromosome-level genome assemblies for almost any organism. However, adequate tissue preservation for the requisite ultra-high molecular weight DNA (uHMW DNA) remains a major challenge. Here we present a comparative study of preservation methods for field and laboratory tissue sampling, across vertebrate classes and different tissue types. Results: We find that storage temperature was the strongest predictor of uHMW fragment lengths. While immediate flash-freezing remains the sample preservation gold …
Limited Range-Filling Among Endemic Forest Herbs Of Eastern North America And Its Implications For Conservation With Climate Change, Stephanie K. Erlandson, Jesse Bellemare, David A. Moeller
Limited Range-Filling Among Endemic Forest Herbs Of Eastern North America And Its Implications For Conservation With Climate Change, Stephanie K. Erlandson, Jesse Bellemare, David A. Moeller
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Biodiversity hotspots host a high diversity of narrowly distributed endemic species, which are increasingly threatened by climate change. In eastern North America, the highest concentration of plant diversity and endemism occurs in the Southern Appalachian Mountains (SAM). It has been hypothesized that this region served as a refugium during Pleistocene glacial cycles and that postglacial migration northward was dispersal limited. We tested this hypothesis using species distribution models for eight forest herb species. We also quantified the extent to which the geography of suitable habitat shifted away from the current range with climate change. We developed species distribution models for …
Insight Into The Evolution Of Anuran Foot Flag Displays: A Comparative Study Of Color And Kinematics, Nigel K. Anderson, K. V. Gururaja, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Erin C. Netoskie, Sarah Smith, Matthew J. Fuxjager, Doris Preininger
Insight Into The Evolution Of Anuran Foot Flag Displays: A Comparative Study Of Color And Kinematics, Nigel K. Anderson, K. V. Gururaja, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Erin C. Netoskie, Sarah Smith, Matthew J. Fuxjager, Doris Preininger
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Understanding how complex animal displays evolve is a major goal of evolutionary organismal biology. Here, we study this topic by comparing convergently evolved gestural displays in two unrelated species of frog (Bornean Rock Frog, Staurois parvus, and Kottigehara Dancing Frog, Micrixalus kottigeharensis). This behavior, known as a foot flag, is produced when a male ?waves' his hindlimb at another male during bouts of competition for access to mates. We assess patterns of variation in the color of frog feet and the kinematics of the display itself to help pinpoint similarities and differences of the visual signal elements. We find clear …
Large-Scale Genome Sampling Reveals Unique Immunity And Metabolic Adaptations In Bats, Diana D. Moreno Santillán, Tanya M. Lama, Yocelyn T. Gutierrez Guerrero, Alexis M. Brown, Paul Donat, Huabin Zhao, Stephen J. Rossiter, Laurel R. Yohe, Joshua H. Potter, Emma C. Teeling, Sonja C. Vernes, Kalina T.J. Davies, Eugene Myers, Graham M. Hughes, Zixia Huang, Federico Hoffmann, Angelique P. Corthals, David A. Ray, Liliana M. Dávalos
Large-Scale Genome Sampling Reveals Unique Immunity And Metabolic Adaptations In Bats, Diana D. Moreno Santillán, Tanya M. Lama, Yocelyn T. Gutierrez Guerrero, Alexis M. Brown, Paul Donat, Huabin Zhao, Stephen J. Rossiter, Laurel R. Yohe, Joshua H. Potter, Emma C. Teeling, Sonja C. Vernes, Kalina T.J. Davies, Eugene Myers, Graham M. Hughes, Zixia Huang, Federico Hoffmann, Angelique P. Corthals, David A. Ray, Liliana M. Dávalos
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Comprising more than 1,400 species, bats possess adaptations unique among mammals including powered flight, unexpected longevity, and extraordinary immunity. Some of the molecular mechanisms underlying these unique adaptations includes DNA repair, metabolism and immunity. However, analyses have been limited to a few divergent lineages, reducing the scope of inferences on gene family evolution across the Order Chiroptera. We conducted an exhaustive comparative genomic study of 37 bat species, one generated in this study, encompassing a large number of lineages, with a particular emphasis on multi-gene family evolution across immune and metabolic genes. In agreement with previous analyses, we found lineage-specific …