Evolution of Blind Beetles in Isolated Aquifers: A Test of Alternative Modes of Speciation

Leijs, Remko; Nes, Egbert H. van; Watts, Chris; Cooper, Steven J.; Humphreys, William F.; Hogendoorn, Katja

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034260

Cited by 50 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Considering the high level of genetic divergence found among our populations, we conclude that mitochondrial gene flow among these populations broke off completely sometimes in the past. This scenario is similar to what observed in subterranean diving beetles in isolated aquifers in Australia (Leijs et al 2012), but, quite unexpectedly, it is different from that retrieved for the only other Mediterranean cave crickets (genus Dolichopoda ). As a matter of fact,Allegrucci et al (2005) and Taylan et al (unpublished data) found strong evidence supporting isolation by distance pattern in Dolichopoda .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Molecular systematics of the genus Troglophilus (Rhaphidophoridae, Orthoptera) in Turkey: mitochondrial 16s rDNA evidences

Taylan¹,

Russo²,

Rampini³

et al. 2013

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This study focuses on the evolutionary relationships among Turkish species of the cave cricket genus Troglophilus.Fifteen populations were studied for sequence variation in a fragment (543 base pairs) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 16S rDNA gene (16S) to reconstruct their phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history. Genetic data retrieved three main clades and at least three divergent lineages that could not be attributed to any of the taxa known for the area. Molecular time estimates suggest that the diversification of the group took place between the Messinian and the Plio-Pleistocene.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Molecular systematics of the genus Troglophilus (Rhaphidophoridae, Orthoptera) in Turkey: mitochondrial 16s rDNA evidences

Taylan¹,

Russo²,

Rampini³

et al. 2013

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“…The aridification of the Australian continent, which deepened during the Late Pliocene following a wet–warm period in the early Pliocene (Sniderman et al ), may have favoured the evolutionary survival of aquatic beetle lineages with negative phototactic behaviour. Following the evolution of the three stygobitic Paroster species within the calcrete (Leijs et al ), we suggest that two of the species lost phototaxis, while it was retained in P. macrosturtensis . Similarly, the three Limbodessus species studied here have also likely lost phototaxis, conforming to the expected subterranean adaptations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…). These six species represent at least four independent evolutionary transitions from surface to subterranean environments: phylogenetic and modelling analyses suggest the Sturt Meadows species most likely evolved within the calcrete from a single common stygobitic ancestor that in turn evolved from a surface/interstitial species; the Laverton species each evolved independently from separate interstitial/surface species (Leys et al ; Leijs et al ). Various numbers of each species were collected and 20 individuals were selected from each group for the behavioural experiments, with the exception of L. palmulaoides as there were only 15 individuals available.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How blind are they? Phototactic responses in stygobiont diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from calcrete aquifers of Western Australia

et al. 2018

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Subterranean water beetles endemic to groundwater calcretes of Western Australia exhibit convergent traits typical of troglomorphic arthropods, including loss of eyes, pigmentation and wings. As these dytiscid species are estimated to have been isolated underground in permanent darkness for over three million years, it is predicted that they will completely lack phototactic responses. We tested this hypothesis by analysing the behaviour of six subterranean beetle species within an observational arena with dark and light hemispheres. Scan samples at 1 min intervals and total time spent on each hemisphere were recorded over a 20 min period, testing at least 15 individuals per species. We quantified behaviour as an index (dark ratio) so that individual species in this, and future, studies can be consistently compared. Results analysed as both categorical and absolute proportion of time spent in each hemisphere suggest negative phototaxis in Paroster macrosturtensis. The remaining five species did not display any preference for either light or dark hemispheres. These results raise the possibility that some ancestral Paroster species may have exhibited negative phototactic behaviour prior to subterranean colonization. The retention of such a behavioural trait in lightless environments could represent the maintenance for some unknown pleiotropic function. Alternatively, it is possible that insufficient time has passed for neutral processes to render photoreception genes and phototactic behaviours non-functional. Our study adds to a growing body of evidence that implies highly troglomorphic animals may have evolved from ancestral species that exhibited negative phototaxis as a preadaptation to living in permanent darkness.

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“…This model was also proposed to explain the evolution of Australian stygobitic dytiscid diving beetles in groundwater calcretes of central WA, with aridity from the late Miocene as the main driver for the transition to subterranean life (Leys et al, 2003). However, there is also evidence for speciation underground in this group (Leijs et al, 2012).…”

Section: Troglofauna: Climatic Relict and Adaptive Shift Hypotheses?mentioning

confidence: 95%

Biogeographic history of subterranean isopods from groundwater calcrete islands in Western Australia

et al. 2017

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Groundwater calcretes in arid central Western Australia contain a diverse invertebrate groundwater fauna (stygofauna). Surveys have uncovered a diverse oniscidean isopod subterranean fauna above the water table (troglofauna), including species of a recently described genus Paraplatyarthrus. The aim of this study was to investigate the biogeographic history of Paraplatyarthrus and the timing of transitions from surface to subterranean habitats. Phylogenetic relationships among the isopod troglofauna from 11 groundwater calcretes along three palaeodrainage systems were assessed using one mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), and two nuclear markers, lysyl‐tRNA synthetase (LysRS) and 18S rRNA (18S) genes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed multiple sister lineage relationships between troglophile and troglobite lineages and evidence for divergent mtDNA lineages within species, providing a range of nodes for dating evolutionary transitions from surface to subterranean habitats. Relaxed molecular clock analyses provided evidence that evolutionary transitions from surface to subterranean environments took place between 13.3 and 1.75 million years ago, coinciding with the onset of aridification of Australia from the late Tertiary. In cases where groundwater calcretes contained multiple species, the taxa were not closely related phylogenetically, suggesting that these calcretes were independently colonised by multiple ancestral species. The study further confirmed the role of late/post‐Miocene aridification as a key driver of the evolution of subterranean invertebrates in the calcrete islands of Western Australia, supporting the climatic relict hypothesis. Troglobites most likely evolved from the troglophile ancestors that were capable of dispersal among, and active colonisation of, calcretes.

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Evolution of Blind Beetles in Isolated Aquifers: A Test of Alternative Modes of Speciation

Cited by 50 publications

References 47 publications

Molecular systematics of the genus Troglophilus (Rhaphidophoridae, Orthoptera) in Turkey: mitochondrial 16s rDNA evidences

Molecular systematics of the genus Troglophilus (Rhaphidophoridae, Orthoptera) in Turkey: mitochondrial 16s rDNA evidences

How blind are they? Phototactic responses in stygobiont diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from calcrete aquifers of Western Australia

Biogeographic history of subterranean isopods from groundwater calcrete islands in Western Australia

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