Comparative transcriptomics highlights convergent evolution of energy metabolic pathways in group-living spiders

Zoological Research

卷:42

Bin Lyu¹  Hai-Qiang Yin²  Han Yang³  Shu-Qiang Li³ 

[1] Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China;

[2] College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China;

[3] Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;

关键词: autophagy;    cannibalism;    convergent;    group-living;    nutrient;    spider;   

DOI  :  10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.281

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Although widely thought to be aggressive, solitary, and potentially cannibalistic, some spider species have evolved group-living behaviors. The distinct transition provides the framework to uncover group-living evolution. Here, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic study and examined patterns of molecular evolution in two independently evolved group-living spiders and twelve solitary species. We report that positively selected genes among group-living spider lineages are significantly enriched in nutrient metabolism and autophagy pathways. We also show that nutrient-related genes of group-living spiders convergently experience amino acid substitutions and accelerated relative evolutionary rates. These results indicate adaptive convergence of nutrient metabolism that may ensure energy supply in group-living spiders. The decelerated evolutionary rate of autophagy-related genes in group-living lineages is consistent with an increased constraint on energy homeostasis as would be required in a group-living environment. Together, the results show that energy metabolic pathways play an important role in the transition to group-living in spiders.

【 授权许可】

Unknown