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Genetic basis and expression of ventral colour in polymorphic common lizards
Hans Recknagel1, Henrique G Leitão1, Kathryn R Elmer1
1School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Molecular Ecology
|January 25, 2024
Summary
Genetic variation influences lizard color evolution. Researchers identified genes linked to ventral coloration in common lizards (Zootoca vivipara), suggesting regulatory changes drive these differences.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Animal coloration
Background:
- Animal coloration is a key trait influenced by various factors, yet its genetic underpinnings in non-model organisms remain largely unexplored.
- Understanding the genetic basis of color evolution is crucial for identifying the drivers and mechanisms shaping this diversity across lineages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of ventral color differences in female common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) between oviparous and viviparous reproductive modes.
- To identify candidate genes and genomic regions associated with variations in ventral coloration and melanic patterning.
Main Methods:
- Genetic mapping and transcriptomic analysis were employed to identify candidate genes.
- Genome re-sequencing data was used to analyze genetic variation.
- Ventral coloration and melanic patterning were quantified in a large sample of female lizards.
Main Results:
- Females of oviparous and viviparous common lizards exhibited distinct ventral coloration and melanic patterning.
- Two candidate genes, DGAT2 (carotenoid metabolism) and PMEL (melanin synthesis), were associated with ventral color differentiation.
- Fixed coding mutations in candidate genes did not fully explain the observed color differences, suggesting a role for regulatory variation.
Conclusions:
- Ventral color evolution in common lizards is characterized by flexibility, potentially driven by regulatory genetic variation.
- This finding has implications for understanding color evolution across squamates (lizards and snakes).
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