Evolution of Sexual Reproduction
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
The Pandemic Exposes Human Nature: 10 Evolutionary Insights PERSPECTIVE Benjamin M
PERSPECTIVE The pandemic exposes human nature: 10 evolutionary insights PERSPECTIVE Benjamin M. Seitza,1, Athena Aktipisb, David M. Bussc, Joe Alcockd, Paul Bloome, Michele Gelfandf, Sam Harrisg, Debra Liebermanh, Barbara N. Horowitzi,j, Steven Pinkerk, David Sloan Wilsonl, and Martie G. Haseltona,1 Edited by Michael S. Gazzaniga, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, and approved September 16, 2020 (received for review June 9, 2020) Humans and viruses have been coevolving for millennia. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19) has been particularly successful in evading our evolved defenses. The outcome has been tragic—across the globe, millions have been sickened and hundreds of thousands have died. Moreover, the quarantine has radically changed the structure of our lives, with devastating social and economic consequences that are likely to unfold for years. An evolutionary per- spective can help us understand the progression and consequences of the pandemic. Here, a diverse group of scientists, with expertise from evolutionary medicine to cultural evolution, provide insights about the pandemic and its aftermath. At the most granular level, we consider how viruses might affect social behavior, and how quarantine, ironically, could make us susceptible to other maladies, due to a lack of microbial exposure. At the psychological level, we describe the ways in which the pandemic can affect mating behavior, cooperation (or the lack thereof), and gender norms, and how we can use disgust to better activate native “behavioral immunity” to combat disease spread. At the cultural level, we describe shifting cultural norms and how we might harness them to better combat disease and the negative social consequences of the pandemic. -
Natural Selection Plays an Important Role in Shaping the Codon Usage of Structural Genes of the Viruses Belonging to the Coronaviridae Family
viruses Article Natural Selection Plays an Important Role in Shaping the Codon Usage of Structural Genes of the Viruses Belonging to the Coronaviridae Family Dimpal A. Nyayanit 1,†, Pragya D. Yadav 1,† , Rutuja Kharde 1 and Sarah Cherian 2,* 1 Maximum Containment Facility, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune 411021, India; [email protected] (D.A.N.); [email protected] (P.D.Y.); [email protected] (R.K.) 2 Bioinformatics Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune 411001, India * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected]; Tel.: +91-20-260061213 † These authors equally contributed to this work. Abstract: Viruses belonging to the Coronaviridae family have a single-stranded positive-sense RNA with a poly-A tail. The genome has a length of ~29.9 kbps, which encodes for genes that are essential for cell survival and replication. Different evolutionary constraints constantly influence the codon usage bias (CUB) of different genes. A virus optimizes its codon usage to fit the host environment on which it savors. This study is a comprehensive analysis of the CUB for the different genes encoded by viruses of the Coronaviridae family. Different methods including relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), an Effective number of codons (ENc), parity plot 2, and Neutrality plot, were adopted to analyze the factors responsible for the genetic evolution of the Coronaviridae family. Base composition and RSCU analyses demonstrated the presence of A-ended and U-ended codons being preferred in the 3rd codon position and are suggestive of mutational selection. The lesser ENc value for the spike ‘S’ gene suggests a higher bias in the codon usage of this gene compared to the other structural Citation: Nyayanit, D.A.; Yadav, P.D.; genes. -
Evolutionary Pressure in Lexicase Selection Jared M
When Specialists Transition to Generalists: Evolutionary Pressure in Lexicase Selection Jared M. Moore1 and Adam Stanton2 1School of Computing and Information Systems, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, USA 2School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, UK [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Downloaded from http://direct.mit.edu/isal/proceedings-pdf/isal2020/32/719/1908636/isal_a_00254.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 Generalized behavior is a long standing goal for evolution- ary robotics. Behaviors for a given task should be robust to perturbation and capable of operating across a variety of envi- ronments. We have previously shown that Lexicase selection evolves high-performing individuals in a semi-generalized wall crossing task–i.e., where the task is broadly the same, but there is variation between individual instances. Further Figure 1: The wall crossing task examined in this study orig- work has identified effective parameter values for Lexicase inally introduced in Stanton and Channon (2013). The ani- selection in this domain but other factors affecting and ex- plaining performance remain to be identified. In this paper, mat must cross a wall of varying height to reach the target we expand our prior investigations, examining populations cube. over evolutionary time exploring other factors that might lead wall-crossing task (Moore and Stanton, 2018). Two key to generalized behavior. Results show that genomic clusters factors contributing to the success of Lexicase were iden- do not correspond to performance, indicating that clusters of specialists do not form within the population. While early tified. First, effective Lexicase parameter configurations ex- individuals gain a foothold in the selection process by spe- perience an increasing frequency of tiebreaks. -
Evolutionary Rate Covariation in Meiotic Proteins Results from Fluctuating Evolutionary Pressure in Yeasts and Mammals
Genetics: Advance Online Publication, published on November 26, 2012 as 10.1534/genetics.112.145979 Clark 1 Evolutionary rate covariation in meiotic proteins results from fluctuating evolutionary pressure in yeasts and mammals Nathan L. Clark*, Eric Alani§, and Charles F. Aquadro§ * Department of Computational and Systems Biology University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA § Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853, USA Running head: Rate covariation in meiotic proteins Key words: coevolution, correlated evolution, evolutionary rate, meiosis, mismatch repair Corresponding Author: Nathan L. Clark 3501 Fifth Avenue Biomedical Science Tower 3 Suite 3083 Dept. of Computational and Systems Biology University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA 15260 phone: (412) 648-7785 fax: (412) 648-3163 email: [email protected] Copyright 2012. Clark 2 ABSTRACT Evolutionary rates of functionally related proteins tend to change in parallel over evolutionary time. Such evolutionary rate covariation (ERC) is a sequence-based signature of coevolution and a potentially useful signature to infer functional relationships between proteins. One major hypothesis to explain ERC is that fluctuations in evolutionary pressure acting on entire pathways cause parallel rate changes for functionally related proteins. To explore this hypothesis we analyzed ERC within DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and meiosis proteins over phylogenies of 18 yeast species and 22 mammalian species. We identified a strong signature of ERC between eight yeast proteins involved in meiotic crossing over, which seems to have resulted from relaxation of constraint specifically in Candida glabrata. These and other meiotic proteins in C. glabrata showed marked rate acceleration, likely due to its apparently clonal reproductive strategy and the resulting infrequent use of meiotic proteins. -
Fire As an Evolutionary Pressure Shaping Plant Traits
Opinion Fire as an evolutionary pressure shaping plant traits Jon E. Keeley1,2, Juli G. Pausas3, Philip W. Rundel2, William J. Bond4 and Ross A. Bradstock5 1 US Geological Survey, Sequoia-Kings Canyon Field Station, Three Rivers, CA 93271, USA 2 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 3 Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificacio´n of the Spanish National Research Council (CIDE - CSIC), IVIA campus, 46113 Montcada, Valencia, Spain 4 Botany Department, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa 5 Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia Traits, such as resprouting, serotiny and germination by parent adaptive value in fire-prone environments and the heat and smoke, are adaptive in fire-prone environ- extent to which we can demonstrate that they are adapta- ments. However, plants are not adapted to fire per se tions to fire. We also address the question of what fire- but to fire regimes. Species can be threatened when adaptive traits and fire adaptations can tell us about fire humans alter the regime, often by increasing or decreas- management. ing fire frequency. Fire-adaptive traits are potentially the result of different evolutionary pathways. Distinguishing Adaptive traits between traits that are adaptations originating in re- Adaptive traits are those that provide a fitness advantage sponse to fire or exaptations originating in response in a given environment. There are many plant traits that to other factors might not always be possible. However, are of adaptive value in the face of recurrent fire and these fire has been a factor throughout the history of land- vary markedly with fire regime. -
Rotifers: Excellent Subjects for the Study of Macro- and Microevolutionary Change
Hydrobiologia (2011) 662:11–18 DOI 10.1007/s10750-010-0515-1 ROTIFERA XII Rotifers: excellent subjects for the study of macro- and microevolutionary change Gregor F. Fussmann Published online: 1 November 2010 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010 Abstract Rotifers, both as individuals and as a nature. These features make them excellent eukaryotic phylogenetic group, are particularly worthwhile sub- model systems for the study of eco-evolutionary jects for the study of evolution. Over the past decade dynamics. molecular and experimental work on rotifers has facilitated major progress in three lines of evolution- Keywords Rotifer phylogeny Á Asexuality Á ary research. First, we continue to reveal the phy- Eco-evolutionary dynamics logentic relationships within the taxon Rotifera and its placement within the tree of life. Second, we have gained a better understanding of how macroevolu- Introduction tionary transitions occur and how evolutionary strat- egies can be maintained over millions of years. In the Rotifers are microscopic invertebrates that occur in case of rotifers, we are challenged to explain the freshwater, brackish water, in moss habitats, and in soil evolution of obligate asexuality (in the bdelloids) as (Wallace et al., 2006). Rotifers are particularly fasci- mode of reproduction and how speciation occurs in nating and suitable objects for the study of evolution the absence of sex. Recent research with bdelloid roti- and, over the past decade, featured prominently in fers has identified novel mechanisms such as horizon- research on both macro- and microevolutionary tal gene transfer and resistance to radiation as factors change. I, here, review the recent developments in potentially affecting macroevolutionary change. -
Ryan Christopher Mckellar
University of Alberta Paleobiology of Canadian Cretaceous amber: an exceptional record of Late Cretaceous Hymenoptera, with contributions to additional taxa and the study of amber by Ryan Christopher McKellar A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences ©Ryan Christopher McKellar Fall 2011 Edmonton, Alberta Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission. Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-81255-6 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-81255-6 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license -
The Influence of Evolutionary History on Human Health and Disease
REVIEWS The influence of evolutionary history on human health and disease Mary Lauren Benton 1,2, Abin Abraham3,4, Abigail L. LaBella 5, Patrick Abbot5, Antonis Rokas 1,3,5 and John A. Capra 1,5,6 ✉ Abstract | Nearly all genetic variants that influence disease risk have human-specific origins; however, the systems they influence have ancient roots that often trace back to evolutionary events long before the origin of humans. Here, we review how advances in our understanding of the genetic architectures of diseases, recent human evolution and deep evolutionary history can help explain how and why humans in modern environments become ill. Human populations exhibit differences in the prevalence of many common and rare genetic diseases. These differences are largely the result of the diverse environmental, cultural, demographic and genetic histories of modern human populations. Synthesizing our growing knowledge of evolutionary history with genetic medicine, while accounting for environmental and social factors, will help to achieve the promise of personalized genomics and realize the potential hidden in an individual’s DNA sequence to guide clinical decisions. In short, precision medicine is fundamentally evolutionary medicine, and integration of evolutionary perspectives into the clinic will support the realization of its full potential. Genetic disease is a necessary product of evolution These studies are radically changing our understanding (BOx 1). Fundamental biological systems, such as DNA of the genetic architecture of disease8. It is also now possi- replication, transcription and translation, evolved very ble to extract and sequence ancient DNA from remains early in the history of life. Although these ancient evo- of organisms that are thousands of years old, enabling 1Department of Biomedical lutionary innovations gave rise to cellular life, they also scientists to reconstruct the history of recent human Informatics, Vanderbilt created the potential for disease. -
A Modern Approach to Rotiferan Phylogeny: Combining Morphological and Molecular Data
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 40 (2006) 585–608 www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev A modern approach to rotiferan phylogeny: Combining morphological and molecular data Martin V. Sørensen ¤, Gonzalo Giribet Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Received 30 November 2005; revised 6 March 2006; accepted 3 April 2006 Available online 6 April 2006 Abstract The phylogeny of selected members of the phylum Rotifera is examined based on analyses under parsimony direct optimization and Bayesian inference of phylogeny. Species of the higher metazoan lineages Acanthocephala, Micrognathozoa, Cycliophora, and potential outgroups are included to test rotiferan monophyly. The data include 74 morphological characters combined with DNA sequence data from four molecular loci, including the nuclear 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, histone H3, and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. The combined molecular and total evidence analyses support the inclusion of Acanthocephala as a rotiferan ingroup, but do not sup- port the inclusion of Micrognathozoa and Cycliophora. Within Rotifera, the monophyletic Monogononta is sister group to a clade con- sisting of Acanthocephala, Seisonidea, and Bdelloidea—for which we propose the name Hemirotifera. We also formally propose the inclusion of Acanthocephala within Rotifera, but maintaining the name Rotifera for the new expanded phylum. Within Monogononta, Gnesiotrocha and Ploima are also supported by the data. The relationships within Ploima remain unstable to parameter variation or to the method of phylogeny reconstruction and poorly supported, and the analyses showed that monophyly was questionable for the fami- lies Dicranophoridae, Notommatidae, and Brachionidae, and for the genus Proales. -
Natural Selection and the Evolution of Life Expectancy *
Natural Selection and the Evolution of Life Expectancy ∗ Oded Galor and Omer Moav† November 17, 2005 Abstract This research advances an evolutionary growth theory that captures the pattern of life expectancy in the process of development, shedding new light on the sources of the remark- able rise in life expectancy since the Agricultural Revolution. The theory suggests that social, economic and environmental changes that were associated with the transition from hunter- gatherer tribes to sedentary agricultural communities and ultimately to urban societies af- fected the nature of the environmental hazards confronted by the human population, triggering an evolutionary process that had a significant impact on the time path of human longevity. Keywords: Life Expectancy, Growth, Technological Progress, Evolution, Natural Selection, Malthusian Stagnation. JEL classification Numbers: I12, J13, N3, O10. ∗The authors wish to thank Roland Benabou, Herbert Ginitis, Moshe Hazan, Peter Howitt, David Laibson, Rodrigo Soares, Richard Steckel, Neil Wallace, David Weil, Jorgen Weibull, and seminar participants at BU, Copenhagen, Harvard, Hebrew University, Penn State, Rome, NES, and conference participants at DEGIT X, Mexico 2005, and "Biological Welfare and Inequality in Preindustrial Times", Yale 2005, for helpful discussion and comments, and Tamar Roth for excellent research assistantship. †Galor: Hebrew University, Brown University, and CEPR; Moav: Hebrew University, Shalem Center, and CEPR 0 1Introduction This research advances an evolutionary growth -
Nothing in Cognitive Neuroscience Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution
Perspective Nothing in Cognitive Neuroscience Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution Oscar Vilarroya 1,2 1 Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; [email protected] 2 Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain Abstract: Evolutionary theory should be a fundamental guide for neuroscientists. This would seem a trivial statement, but I believe that taking it seriously is more complicated than it appears to be, as I argue in this article. Elsewhere, I proposed the notion of “bounded functionality” As a way to describe the constraints that should be considered when trying to understand the evolution of the brain. There are two bounded-functionality constraints that are essential to any evolution-minded approach to cognitive neuroscience. The first constraint, the bricoleur constraint, describes the evolutionary pressure for any adaptive solution to re-use any relevant resources available to the system before the selection situation appeared. The second constraint, the satisficing constraint, describes the fact that a trait only needs to behave more advantageously than its competitors in order to be selected. In this paper I describe how bounded-functionality can inform an evolutionary-minded approach to cognitive neuroscience. In order to do so, I resort to Nikolaas Tinbergen’s four questions about how to understand behavior, namely: function, causation, development and evolution. The bottom line of assuming Tinbergen’s questions is that any approach to cognitive neuroscience is intrinsically tentative, slow, and messy. Citation: Vilarroya, O. Nothing in Keywords: evolutionary constraints; neuroscientific theories; evolution of the brain Cognitive Neuroscience Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution. -
Coevolution: a Pattern of Reciprocal Adaptation, Caused by Two Species Evolving in Close Association
Coevolution: a pattern of reciprocal adaptation, caused by two species evolving in close association. coevolution is a change in the genetic composition of one species (or group) in response to a genetic change in another. More generally, the idea of some reciprocal evolutionary change in interacting species is a requisite for coevolution – Host-parasite – Plant- herbivore – Predator-Prey – Mutualisms Parasites may evolve rapidly due to: Short generation times High fecundity Founder effects and drift High mutation rates Consider plants and insects: it is sometimes difficult to determine whether plants' secondary compounds arose for the purpose of preventing herbivores from eating plant tissue. Certain plants may have produced certain compounds as waste products and herbivores attacked those plants that they could digest. Parasites and hosts: when a parasite invades a host, it will successfully invade those hosts whose defence traits it can circumvent because of the abilities it carries at that time. Thus presence of a parasite on a host does not constitute evidence for coevolution. These criticisms are quite distinct from the opportunity for coevolution once a parasite has established itself on a host. The main point is that any old interaction, symbiosis, mutualism, etc. is not synonymous with coevolution. In one sense there has definitely been "evolution together" but whether this fits our strict definition of coevolution needs to be determined by careful 1) observation, 2) experimentation and 3) phylogenetic analysis The classic analogy is the coevolutionary arms race: a plant has chemical defenses, an insect evolves the biochemistry to detoxify these compounds, the plant in turn evolves new defenses that the insect in turn "needs" to further detoxify.