The molecular basis and evolution of toxin resistance in poison frogs

Coleman, Jeffrey L.; Cannatella, David C.

doi:10.1007/s10682-023-10258-0

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 202 publications

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“…In dendrobatids, mechanisms of toxin resistance are still understudied [39]. Target-site resistance to some alkaloids appears to have evolved in several defended clades and in some undefended species [20,21].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passive accumulation of alkaloids in inconspicuously colored frogs refines the evolutionary paradigm of acquired chemical defenses

Tarvin,

Coleman,

Donoso

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Understanding the origins of novel, complex phenotypes is a major goal in evolutionary biology. Poison frogs of the family Dendrobatidae have evolved the novel ability to acquire alkaloids from their diet for chemical defense at least three times. However, taxon sampling for alkaloids has been biased towards colorful species, without similar attention paid to inconspicuous ones that are often assumed to be undefended. As a result, our understanding of how chemical defense evolved in this group is incomplete. Here we provide new data showing that, in contrast to previous studies, species from each undefended poison frog clade have measurable yet low amounts of alkaloids. We confirm that undefended dendrobatids regularly consume mites and ants, which are known sources of alkaloids. Further, we confirm the presence of alkaloids in two putatively non-toxic frogs from other families. Our data suggest the existence of a phenotypic intermediate between toxin consumption and sequestration - passive accumulation - that differs from active sequestration in that it involves no derived forms of transport and storage mechanisms yet results in low levels of toxin accumulation. We discuss the concept of passive accumulation and its potential role in the origin of chemical defenses in poison frogs and other toxin-sequestering organisms.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passive accumulation of alkaloids in inconspicuously colored frogs refines the evolutionary paradigm of acquired chemical defenses

Tarvin,

Coleman,

Donoso

et al. 2024

Preprint

Self Cite

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Developments in the study of poison frog evolutionary ecology II: decoding hidden messages in their coloration and unique behaviours

Rojas,

Vargas-Salinas

2024

Evol Ecol

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Molecular phylogenetics uncovers two new species in the genus Phyllobates (Anura, Dendrobatidae): the terrible frog gets two new sisters

Amézquita,

Vargas-Salinas,

Ramos

et al. 2024

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True poison-dart frogs (Phyllobates, Dendrobatidae) evolved the ability to secrete batrachotoxins, the most powerful alkaloids known to date. The genus comprises five species whose systematics, at first glance, appeared clear. The most derived clade would include two Colombian species (P. terribilis and P. bicolor) with the highest toxicity, the largest body size, and predominantly yellow body colouration. The other three species (P. aurotaenia, P. vittatus, and P. lugubris) are less toxic on average, have smaller size, and are predominantly black with bright dorsolateral stripes. Recent research has revealed the existence of two major lineages among the three Colombian species. The northern lineage appears to result from a complex evolutionary history, including perhaps introgression among yellow and black taxa. The southern lineage instead revealed the existence of new clades closely related to P. terribilis, black and yellow, that arguably deserve their recognition as new species. Here, available evidence is combined to support the erection of southern populations of P. aurotaenia as a new highly toxic species, sister to P. terribilis, and much closer to it than to any other yellow or black-bodied species, Phyllobates samperisp. nov. Their common ancestor is sister to an additional yellow species, which we also describe here as Phyllobates bezosisp. nov. Both new species can be externally diagnosed using colouration. Our previous and current analyses also suggest the existence of additional taxa and corroborate multiple transitions in colouration across these hypertoxic taxa.

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The molecular basis and evolution of toxin resistance in poison frogs

Cited by 7 publications

References 202 publications

Passive accumulation of alkaloids in inconspicuously colored frogs refines the evolutionary paradigm of acquired chemical defenses

Passive accumulation of alkaloids in inconspicuously colored frogs refines the evolutionary paradigm of acquired chemical defenses

Developments in the study of poison frog evolutionary ecology II: decoding hidden messages in their coloration and unique behaviours

Molecular phylogenetics uncovers two new species in the genus Phyllobates (Anura, Dendrobatidae): the terrible frog gets two new sisters

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