Diversity and Molecular Evolution of Nonvisual Opsin Genes across Environmental, Developmental, and Morphological Adaptations in Frogs.

ABSTRACT: Nonvisual opsins are transmembrane proteins expressed in the eyes and other tissues of many animals. When paired with a light-sensitive chromophore, nonvisual opsins form photopigments involved in various nonvisual, light-detection functions including circadian rhythm regulation, light-seeking behaviors, and seasonal responses. Here, we investigate the molecular evolution of nonvisual opsin genes in anuran amphibians (frogs and toads). We test several evolutionary hypotheses including the predicted loss of nonvisual opsins due to nocturnal ancestry and potential functional differences in nonvisual opsins resulting from environmental light variation across diverse anuran ecologies. Using whole-eye transcriptomes of 81 species, combined with genomes, multitissue transcriptomes, and independe

SUBMITTER: Boyette JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11181710 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature