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Signature of selection on the rhodopsin gene in the marine radiation of American seven-spined gobies (Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini)
Larmuseau, M.H.D.; Vanhove, M.P.M.; Huyse, T.; Volckaert, F.A.M.; Decorte, R. (2011). Signature of selection on the rhodopsin gene in the marine radiation of American seven-spined gobies (Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini). J. Evolution. Biol. 24(7): 1618-1625. dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02290.x
In: Journal of Evolutionary Biology. European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB): Basel. ISSN 1010-061X; e-ISSN 1420-9101
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 223812 [ download pdf ]

Keywords
    Acids > Organic compounds > Organic acids > Amino acids
    Analysis > Mathematical analysis > Spectral analysis
    Anatomical structures > Body organs > Animal organs > Sense organs > Photoreceptors
    Cell constituents > Chromosomes > Genes
    Photic environment
    Phylogenetics
    Radiation balance
    Rhodopsin
    Gobiidae Cuvier, 1816 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    adaptive radiation; Elacatinus; opsin genes; photic environment;photoreceptor; phylogeny; spectral tuning mechanism

Authors  Top 
  • Larmuseau, M.H.D.
  • Vanhove, M.P.M.
  • Huyse, T.
  • Volckaert, F.A.M.
  • Decorte, R.

Abstract
    In comparison with terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, information about speciation modes and the role of selection in marine environments is scarce. Recent studies have indicated that spectral adaptation could play an important role in the diversification of marine species flocks. Natural selection influences specific amino acids (AAs) that are involved in the spectral tuning mechanism of visual pigment genes. To study the wider occurrence and the characteristics of spectral adaptation in marine radiations, a reinterpretation of the rhodopsin (RH1) data of American seven-spined gobies (genus Elacatinus; Gobiidae; Teleostei) was carried out. Reanalysis revealed that some AAs, which are well known in the literature as spectral tuning sites, are variable in Elacatinus. Those crucial AA substitutions originated polyphyletically, indicating convergent evolution within the genus Elacatinus. Moreover, statistical tests based on the dN/dS ratio detected selection in several phylogenetic lineages and at specific AAs. Many of these AAs were previously shown to be under selection in other marine radiations. Therefore, the current phylogenetic approach provided an extended list of AAs that are probably involved in spectral tuning, and which should be validated by mutagenic experiments.

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