ABSTRACT: Sequence capture phylogenomics of eyeless Cicurina spiders (Araneae, Hahniidae) from Texas caves, with emphasis on US federally endangered species from Bexar County
Project description:Spiders are renowned for their efficient capture of flying insects using intricate aerial webs. How the spider nervous systems evolved to cope with this specialized hunting strategy and various environmental clues in an aerial space remains unknown. Here, we report a brain cell atlas of >30,000 single-cell transcriptomes from a web-building spider (Hylyphantes graminicola). Our analysis revealed the preservation of ancestral neuron types in spiders, including the potential coexistence of noradrenergic and octopaminergic neurons, and many peptidergic neuronal types that are lost in insects. By comparing the genome of two newly sequenced plesiomorphic burrowing spiders with three aerial web-building spiders, we found that the positively selected genes in the ancestral branch of web-building spiders were preferentially expressed (42%) in the brain, especially in the three mushroom body-like neuronal types. By gene enrichment analysis and RNAi experiments, these genes were suggested to be involved in the learning and memory pathway and may influence the spiders’ web-building and hunting behavior. Our results provide key sources for understanding the evolution of behavior in spiders and reveal how molecular evolution drives neuron innovation and the diversification of associated complex behaviors.
Project description:Phylogenomic reclassification of the world's most venomous spiders (Mygalomorphae, Atracinae), with implications for venom evolution
Project description:This dataset comprises bulk RNA sequencing of 45 samples isolated from adult female L. sclopetarius spiders. The samples include spider abdomen (5 replicates), head (5), major ampullate glands (5), minor ampullate glands (5), aggregate glands (5), tubuliform glands (3), and major ampullate gland cut into three parts, i.e., tail (6), sac (6) and duct (5).
Project description:Harris County, Texas experienced its largest outbreak of West Nile (WNV) disease in 2014. Characterization WNV isolates from the outbreak using next generation sequencing approaches, phylogeny, and animal studies revealed a novel genotype characterized by selection of an amino acid substitution, NS2A-R188K. Retrospective analysis of Genbank showed this genotype was first identified in New York and Connecticut in 2008 and then in Texas subsequently. Thus, we have termed this the Northeast 2008 (NE/WN08) genotype. Emergence of this genotype in Texas likely involved the displacement of the SW/WN03 genotype. Quasispecies diversity revealed significant variation occurred among viral isolates, but no phenotypic changes were observed in terms of temperature sensitivity and mouse virulence, suggesting that despite WNV being in North America for 15 years there are strong mutational robustness among naturally occurring WNV isolates. Examination of Genbank showed that convergent evolution of NS2A-R188K was also taking place worldwide.
2020-01-01 | GSE126555 | GEO
Project description:Phylogenomics of paleoendemic lampshade spiders (Araneae, Hypochilidae, Hypochilus), with description of a new species from montane california
