Nonhuman genetics. Genomic basis for the convergent evolution of electric organs.

Science
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Little is known about the genetic basis of convergent traits that originate repeatedly over broad taxonomic scales. The myogenic electric organ has evolved six times in fishes to produce electric fields used in communication, navigation, predation, or defense. We have examined the genomic basis of the convergent anatomical and physiological origins of these organs by assembling the genome of the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) and sequencing electric organ and skeletal muscle transcriptomes from three lineages that have independently evolved electric organs. Our results indicate that, despite millions of years of evolution and large differences in the morphology of electric organ cells, independent lineages have leveraged similar transcription factors and developmental and cellular pathways in the evolution of electric organs.

Year of Publication
2014
Journal
Science
Volume
344
Issue
6191
Pages
1522-5
Date Published
2014 Jun 27
ISSN
1095-9203
URL
DOI
10.1126/science.1254432
PubMed ID
24970089
Links
Grant list
T32 GM007133 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
1SC1GM092297-01A1 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM084879 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM088670 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States