How to resist soil desiccation: Transcriptional changes in a Mediterranean earthworm during aestivation

Tilikj, Natasha; Novo, Marta

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.111112

Cited by 6 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Transcriptional changes from responses to various stimulus, namely response to biotic stimulus (GO:0009607), response to abiotic stimulus (GO:0009628), and response to xenobiotic stimulus (GO:0009410), are present in both times of aestivation, hence the differential expression of genes from the nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer (NF‐κB) protein complex responsible for immune response regulation (Oeckinghaus & Ghosh, 2009). Results hinting at the downregulation of genes for biotic stress in AEshort are comparable to previously published data by Tilikj and Novo (2022). Overall genes controlling the response to biotic stimulus (antibacterial, antiviral, and antichitin containing organisms; GO:0009607) faced stronger downregulation as the aestivation persisted (see Table 2 log2 fold values for AElong).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Another component of the immune system influenced by aestivation was the lectin proteins responsible for the recognition of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (Table 1). As previously demonstrated Tilikj and Novo (2022), aestivation leads to transcriptional changes responsible for abiotic stress mitigation. As the duration of the aestivation persisted, the differential expression of genes for heat shock proteins (HSPs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers became more notable (Table 1).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 60%

“…The reference transcriptome used in this study was previously obtained and described by Tilikj and Novo (2022). To estimate the gene expression levels of each sample, alignment of the clean reads for each sample against the reference transcriptome was done with the software package RSEM (Li et al, 2011).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Soil moisture is also the limiting factor for reproduction, with higher soil moisture favoring cocoon production (Díaz Cosín et al, 2009). Transcriptomic analysis on 1 month aestivating C. matritensis published by Tilikj and Novo (2022) suggested an overall metabolic depression and transcriptomic changes related to immune response arising from abiotic stress. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that C. matritensis is a suitable earthworm candidate for studies on aestivation, aestivation duration, and arousal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Terrestrial Zen master: Transcriptomics in long‐term aestivation and arousal of Mediterranean earthworms

2023

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Earthworms have a crucial role in the maintenance of the biotic and abiotic soil properties, which is important for the biodiversity and productivity of terrestrial ecosystems, especially in the current scenario of climate change. Aestivation is a form of dormancy witnessed in organisms living in deserts or semiarid environments such as the ones found in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula. This work employs next-generation sequencing techniques to explore the changes in gene expression of different aestivation times (1 month and 1 year) as well as changes in gene expression upon arousal. Not surprisingly, the more the aestivation persisted the higher levels of gene downregulation were observed. Conversely, upon arousal, a quick recovery of the levels of gene expression were noted, comparable to the control. Transcriptional changes related to immune responses coming predominantly from abiotic stressors in aestivating earthworms and from biotic stressors in aroused earthworms triggered regulation of the cell fate via apoptosis. Long-term aestivation seemed to be enabled by remodeling of the extracellular matrix, activity of DNA repair mechanisms, and inhibitory neurotransmitters, which could also play a role in lifespan increase. Arousal from 1-month aestivation was on the other hand, characterized by regulation of the cell division cycle. Since aestivation is considered as an unfavorable metabolic state, aroused earthworms probably go through a damage removal process and a subsequent reparation process. This study provides the first transcriptomic investigation done on earthworms in such long aestivation times as well as arousal demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of Carpetania matritensis.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Terrestrial Zen master: Transcriptomics in long‐term aestivation and arousal of Mediterranean earthworms

2023

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“…This is not a minor issue; with some of the widest ranges among Hormogastridae and occupying a diverse range of habitats, H. redii and H. samnitica appear to possess adaptive and colonizing potential far beyond their hormogastrid kin. More precise knowledge of their systematics will enable these species to be used as evolutionary models to apply molecular evolution approaches, such as those implemented by [66,71].…”

Section: Remaining Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives in Earthworm Molecular Phylogeny: Recent Advances in Lumbricoidea and Standing Questions

et al. 2022

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Earthworm systematics have been limited by the small number of taxonomically informative morphological characters and high levels of homoplasy in this group. However, molecular phylogenetic techniques have yielded significant improvements in earthworm taxonomy in the last 15 years. Several different approaches based on the use of different molecular markers, sequencing techniques, and compromises between specimen/taxon coverage and phylogenetic information have recently emerged (DNA barcoding, multigene phylogenetics, mitochondrial genome analysis, transcriptome analysis, targeted enrichment methods, and reduced representation techniques), providing solutions to different evolutionary questions regarding European earthworms. Molecular phylogenetics have led to significant advances being made in Lumbricidae systematics, such as the redefinition or discovery of new genera (Galiciandrilus, Compostelandrilus, Vindoboscolex, Castellodrilus), delimitation and revision of previously existing genera (Kritodrilus, Eophila, Zophoscolex, Bimastos), and changes to the status of subspecific taxa (such as the Allolobophorachaetophora complex). These approaches have enabled the identification of problems that can be resolved by molecular phylogenetics, including the revision of Aporrectodea, Allolobophora, Helodrilus, and Dendrobaena, as well as the examination of small taxa such as Perelia, Eumenescolex, and Iberoscolex. Similar advances have been made with the family Hormogastridae, in which integrative systematics have contributed to the description of several new species, including the delimitation of (formerly) cryptic species. At the family level, integrative systematics have provided a new genus system that better reflects the diversity and biogeography of these earthworms, and phylogenetic comparative methods provide insight into earthworm macroevolution. Despite these achievements, further research should be performed on the Tyrrhenian cryptic complexes, which are of special eco-evolutionary interest. These examples highlight the potential value of applying molecular phylogenetic techniques to other earthworm families, which are very diverse and occupy different terrestrial habitats across the world. The systematic implementation of such approaches should be encouraged among the different expert groups worldwide, with emphasis on collaboration and cooperation.

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Biotic interactions in soil and dung shape parasite transmission in temperate ruminant systems: An integrative framework

Boughton,

Lancaster,

Morgan

2024

Ecological Applications

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Gastrointestinal helminth parasites undergo part of their life cycle outside their host, such that developmental stages interact with the soil and dung fauna. These interactions are capable of affecting parasite transmission on pastures yet are generally ignored in current models, empirical studies and practical management. Dominant methods of parasite control, which rely on anthelmintic medications for livestock, are becoming increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of drug‐resistant parasite populations. Furthermore, consumer and regulatory pressure on decreased chemical use in agriculture and the consequential disruption of biological processes in the dung through nontarget effects exacerbates issues with anthelmintic reliance. This presents a need for the application and enhancement of nature‐based solutions and biocontrol methods. However, successfully harnessing these options relies on advanced understanding of the ecological system and interacting effects among biotic factors and with immature parasite stages. Here, we develop a framework linking three key groups of dung and soil fauna—fungi, earthworms, and dung beetles—with each other and developmental stages of helminths parasitic in farmed cattle, sheep, and goats in temperate grazing systems. We populate this framework from existing published studies and highlight the interplay between faunal groups and documented ecological outcomes. Of 1756 papers addressing abiotic drivers of populations of these organisms and helminth parasites, only 112 considered interactions between taxa and 36 presented data on interactions between more than two taxonomic groups. Results suggest that fungi reduce parasite abundance and earthworms may enhance fungal communities, while competition between dung taxa may reduce their individual effect on parasite transmission. Dung beetles were found to impact fungal populations and parasite transmission variably, possibly tied to the prevailing climate within a specific ecological context. By exploring combinations of biotic factors, we consider how interactions between species may be fundamental to the ecological consequences of biocontrol strategies and nontarget impacts of anthelmintics on dung and soil fauna and how pasture management alterations to promote invertebrates might help limit parasite transmission. With further development and parameterization the framework could be applied quantitatively to guide, prioritize, and interpret hypothesis‐driven experiments and integrate biotic factors into established models of parasite transmission dynamics.

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How to resist soil desiccation: Transcriptional changes in a Mediterranean earthworm during aestivation

Cited by 6 publications

References 74 publications

Terrestrial Zen master: Transcriptomics in long‐term aestivation and arousal of Mediterranean earthworms

Terrestrial Zen master: Transcriptomics in long‐term aestivation and arousal of Mediterranean earthworms

Perspectives in Earthworm Molecular Phylogeny: Recent Advances in Lumbricoidea and Standing Questions

Biotic interactions in soil and dung shape parasite transmission in temperate ruminant systems: An integrative framework

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