Genomic signatures of subterranean lifestyle and ecological adaptation in Myospalax.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mammals exhibit diverse adaptations to varied habitats, yet the genomic mechanisms underlying these transitions remain incompletely understood. Here, we present a comparative genomic, epigenomic, and three-dimensional chromatin analysis of two closely related zokor species, Myospalax aspalax and Myospalax psilurus, which inhabit arid and humid subterranean environments, respectively.

Results

We identified subterranean lineage-specific positively selected and rapidly evolving genes enriched for DNA repair, hypoxia response, blood vessel development, and fructose metabolism. M. psilurus showed a notable loss of olfactory receptor genes, expansion of pheromone-related gene families, and widespread activation of a specific ERVK transposable element family, accompanied

SUBMITTER: Wan N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12581442 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature