Background: Color and pattern phenotypes have clear implications for survival and reproduction in many species. However, the mechanisms that produce this coloration are still poorly characterized, especially at the genomic level. Here we have taken a transcriptomics-based approach to elucidate the underlying genetic mechanisms affecting color and pattern in a highly polytypic poison frog. We sequenced RNA from the skin from four different color morphs during the final stage of metamorphosis and assembled a de novo transcriptome. We then investigated differential gene expression, with an emphasis on examining candidate color genes from other taxa.
Results: Overall, we found differential expression of a suite of genes that control melanogenesis, melanocyte differentiation, and melanocyte proliferation (e.g., tyrp1, lef1, leo1, and mitf) as well as several differentially expressed genes involved in purine synthesis and iridophore development (e.g., arfgap1, arfgap2, airc, and gart).
Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that several gene networks known to affect color and pattern in vertebrates play a role in color and pattern variation in this species of poison frog.
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This content will become publicly available on September 22, 2024
Transcriptomic analyses during development reveal mechanisms of integument structuring and color production
Skin coloration and patterning play a key role in animal survival and reproduction. As a result, color phenotypes have generated intense research interest. In aposematic species, color phenotypes can be important in avoiding predation and in mate choice. However, we still know little about the underlying genetic mechanisms of color production, particularly outside of a few model organisms. Here we seek to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying the production of different colors and how these undergo shifting expression patterns throughout development. To answer this, we examine gene expression of two different color patches(yellow and green) in a developmental time series from young tadpoles through adults in the poison frog
- Award ID(s):
- 2050358
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10492843
- Publisher / Repository:
- Evolutionary Ecology
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Evolutionary Ecology
- ISSN:
- 0269-7653
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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SUMMARY Gene expression is controlled and regulated by interactions between
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