Phylotranscriptomics of Pristionchus Nematodes Reveals Parallel Gene Loss in Six Hermaphroditic Lineages

Current Biology : CB
Christian RödelspergerRalf J Sommer

Abstract

Mutation and recombination are main drivers of phenotypic diversity, but the ability to create new allelic combinations is strongly dependent on the mode of reproduction. While most animals are dioecious (i.e., separated male and female sexes), in a number of evolutionary lineages females have gained the ability to self-fertilize [1, 2], with drastic consequences on effective recombination rate, genetic diversity, and the efficacy of selection [3]. In the genus Caenorhabditis, such hermaphroditic or androdioecious lineages, including C. briggsae and C. tropicalis, display a genome shrinkage relative to their dioecious sister species C. nigoni and C. brenneri, respectively [4, 5]. However, common consequences of reproductive modes on nematode genomes remain unknown, because most taxa contain single or few androdioecious species. One exception is the genus Pristionchus, with seven androdioecious species. Pristionchus worms are found in association with scarab beetles in worldwide samplings, resulting in deep taxon sampling and currently 39 culturable and available species. Here, we use phylotranscriptomics of all 39 Pristionchus species to provide a robust phylogeny based on an alignment of more than 2,000 orthologous clusters, w...Continue Reading

Citations

May 16, 2019·G3 : Genes - Genomes - Genetics·Neel Prabh, Christian Rödelsperger
Feb 27, 2020·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Joseph F Biddle, Erik J Ragsdale
Aug 14, 2020·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Christian RödelspergerHendrik C Korswagen
Jul 1, 2019·G3 : Genes - Genomes - Genetics·Neel Prabh, Christian Rödelsperger

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anthelmintics (ASM)

Anthelmintics or antihelminthics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body by either stunning or killing them and without causing significant damage to the host. Discover the latest research on anthelmintics here.

Anthelmintics

Anthelmintics or antihelminthics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body by either stunning or killing them and without causing significant damage to the host. Discover the latest research on anthelmintics here.