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Genomic Analyses Reveal Association of ASIP with a Recurrently evolving Adaptive Color Pattern in Frogs.

Sandra Goutte¹, Imtiyaz Hariyani¹, Kole Deroy Utzinger¹

¹Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Molecular Biology and Evolution

|November 1, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The vertebral stripe, a cryptic frog color pattern, evolved repeatedly in terrestrial habitats due to parallel evolution. Genetic variation near the Agouti signaling protein gene (ASIP) drives these patterns.

Keywords:

Agouti signaling protein Anura adaptation color polymorphism repeated evolution

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Genetics
Herpetology

Background:

Shared traits across lineages suggest evolutionary constraints.
The vertebral stripe is a cryptic color pattern observed in anurans (frogs and toads).
This pattern is frequently observed in species inhabiting terrestrial environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary origins and genetic basis of the vertebral stripe in anurans.
To determine if the vertebral stripe evolves through parallel evolution.
To identify the genetic factors responsible for vertebral stripe variation in Ptychadena robeensis.

Main Methods:

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic loci associated with vertebral stripe phenotypes.
RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to analyze gene expression.
Comparative analysis of alleles across related species.

Main Results:

The vertebral stripe has evolved hundreds of times in anurans, particularly in terrestrial species.
Variation near the Agouti signaling protein gene (ASIP) is linked to vertebral stripe phenotypes in Ptychadena robeensis.
Differential expression of ASIP and a long non-coding RNA correlates with stripe patterning.
P. robeensis alleles for the vertebral stripe are species-specific and not under long-term balancing selection.

Conclusions:

The vertebral stripe in anurans is a product of rapid, recurrent parallel evolution.
ASIP gene variation and expression play a key role in the development of this cryptic coloration.
This system provides a valuable model for studying the mechanisms of repeated evolution.