Dataset Information

Repeated evolution of blanched coloration in a lizard across independent white-sand habitats.

ABSTRACT: The White Sands lizards of New Mexico are a rare and classic example of convergent evolution where three species have evolved blanched coloration on the white gypsum dunes. Until now, no geological replicate of the pattern had been described. However, one of the White Sands species, the lesser earless lizard (Holbrookia maculata), has been discovered to also inhabit the Salt Basin Dunes of Texas, where it has also evolved a blanched morph. We here present a first phenotypic and genetic description of the Salt Basin Dunes population of H. maculata. Phylogenetic inference based on a housekeeping gene (ND4) and a classic candidate gene in the melanin-synthesis pathway (Melanocortin 1 Receptor; Mc1r) shows the newly discovered population as an independent lineage, with no evidence of genetic parallelism in the coding region of Mc1r. Initial morphological data suggest that while this population displays convergent evolution in blanched coloration, there are divergent patterns in limb length and habitat use behavior between the gypsum environments. Our findings present the White Sands/Salt Basin Dunes as an exceptionally promising comparative model for studies of adaptation and convergent evolution.

SUBMITTER: Laurentino TG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9729009 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Repeated evolution of blanched coloration in a lizard across independent white-sand habitats.

Laurentino Telma G TG Dittmer Drew E DE Grundler Maggie R MR Pina-Martins Francisco F Haddock Janey J Hibbitts Toby J TJ Rosenblum Erica Bree EB

Ecology and evolution 20221207 12

The White Sands lizards of New Mexico are a rare and classic example of convergent evolution where three species have evolved blanched coloration on the white gypsum dunes. Until now, no geological replicate of the pattern had been described. However, one of the White Sands species, the lesser earless lizard (<i>Holbrookia maculata</i>), has been discovered to also inhabit the Salt Basin Dunes of Texas, where it has also evolved a blanched morph. We here present a first phenotypic and genetic de ...[more]

PMID: 36506826

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Present-day climate change has altered the phenology (the timing of periodic life cycle events) of many plant and animal populations worldwide. Some of these changes have been adaptive, leading to an increase in population fitness, whereas others have been associated with fitness decline. Representing short-term responses to an altered weather regime, hitherto observed changes are largely explained by phenotypic plasticity. However, to track climatically induced shifts in optimal phenotype as climate change proceeds, evolutionary capacity in key limiting climate- and fitness-related traits is likely to be crucial. In order to produce realistic predictions about the effects of climate change on species and populations, a main target for conservation biologists is thus to assess the potential of natural populations to respond by these two mechanisms. In this study we use a large 15-year dataset on an ectotherm model, the Swedish sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), to investigate how higher spring temperature is likely to affect oviposition timing in a high latitude population, a trait strongly linked to offspring fitness and survival. RESULTS:With an interest in both the short- and potential long-term effect of rising temperatures, we applied a random regression model, which yields estimates of population-level plasticity and among-individual variation in the average, as well as the plastic, response to temperature. Population plasticity represents capacity for short-term adjustments whereas variation among individuals in a fitness-related trait indicates an opportunity for natural selection and hence for evolutionary adaptation. The analysis revealed both population-level plasticity and individual-level variation in average laying date. In contrast, we found no evidence for variation among females in their plastic responses to spring temperature, which could demonstrate a similarity in responses amongst females, but may also be due to a lack of statistical power to detect such an effect. CONCLUSION:Our findings indicate that climate warming may have positive fitness effects in this lizard population through an advancement of oviposition date. This prediction is consistent over shorter and potentially also longer time scales as the analysis revealed both population-level plasticity and individual-level variation in average laying date. However, the genetic basis for this variation would have to be examined in order to predict an evolutionary response.

Dataset Information

Repeated evolution of blanched coloration in a lizard across independent white-sand habitats.

Publications

Repeated evolution of blanched coloration in a lizard across independent white-sand habitats.

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