Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution最新文献_第4页

Is There Conservation of Vitellogenins in a Placentotrophic Lizard? 胎盘营养型蜥蜴中卵黄原蛋白是否存在保存？

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-17 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23325

Silvia Fernanda Toloza-Esparza, Sergio Marchant, Nathaly Hernández-Díaz, Martha Patricia Ramírez-Pinilla

{"title":"Is There Conservation of Vitellogenins in a Placentotrophic Lizard?","authors":"Silvia Fernanda Toloza-Esparza, Sergio Marchant, Nathaly Hernández-Díaz, Martha Patricia Ramírez-Pinilla","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.23325","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.23325","url":null,"abstract":"In vertebrates, the provision of nutrients to developing embryos varies widely, ranging from yolk-dependent strategies to highly specialized forms of placental nourishment. Vitellogenins (VTGs) are essential proteins for egg yolk formation in oviparous and lecithotrophic species. In contrast, in eutherian mammals, the loss of VTGs is associated with the evolution of matrotrophy (placentotrophy and lactation), where maternal nutrition via the placenta replaces the need for large yolk reserves during embryonic development. Marisora sp., a placentotrophic viviparous lizard with the most complex placenta known in reptiles, exhibits truncated vitellogenesis, resulting in the production of microlecithal eggs. This study investigated the presence of VTGs in Marisora sp. using RNA-seq from the liver and ovary at previtellogenesis and vitellogenesis stages. No corresponding annotations for VTGs were found. This absence may be associated with the placentotrophic nutrition of the embryo, suggesting modifications in lipid production and transport to the ovarian follicles. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and microsomal triglyceride transfer proteins (MTP) were identified, which are closely related to VTGs and could fulfill their function, especially ApoB, which is involved in yolk formation in lecithotrophic species in which VTGs are absent. The absence of VTGs in the Marisora sp. transcriptome represents a key discovery in the evolution of obligate placentotrophic viviparity in reptiles, highlighting convergent traits with mammals. Genomic studies are required to determine if changes in VTG genes prevent or modify their expression, and proteomic studies are needed to fully understand the role of other lipid transport proteins in the preovulatory ovarian follicles of these lizards.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"226-241"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144862272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Graph Theory Applications in Morphology: Insights From Argentina. 图论在形态学中的应用：来自阿根廷的见解。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-03 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23334

Jessica Fratani, Gabriela Fontanarrosa, Julieta Carril, Ricardo S De Mendoza, Claudia P Tambussi, Daniel Andrés Dos Santos

{"title":"Graph Theory Applications in Morphology: Insights From Argentina.","authors":"Jessica Fratani, Gabriela Fontanarrosa, Julieta Carril, Ricardo S De Mendoza, Claudia P Tambussi, Daniel Andrés Dos Santos","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.23334","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.23334","url":null,"abstract":"Graph theory offers a conceptual framework for analyzing complex systems, providing complementary insights into the organization, development, and evolution of morphological structures in biological systems. Graphs describe interactions (edges or links) between entities (vertices or nodes) that can be directed or undirected, weighted or unweighted, and cyclic or acyclic. Over the past decade, a growing community of researchers in Argentina, including the authors of this contribution, has applied diverse graph-theoretical approaches to address questions in functional, evolutionary, and developmental morphology. In Latin America, Argentina stands out for incorporating graph theory and new approaches to network analysis into anatomical research. This review highlights the following particular areas where graph theory has been applied: (I) vertex parameters; (II) graph parameters; (III) graph modular organization and hierarchy; (IV) functional interpretations from modularity throughout graph parameters; (V) graph complexity; (VI) adding the temporal dimension to graphs; (VII) Gabriel graph and percolation in geometric networks; (VIII) dual networks; (IX) flow networks and Markov chains. By presenting these applications and original contributions, this work illustrates how graph theory can enrich morphological evo-devo research while reflecting the development of a growing research community in the region.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"282-290"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145438174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Heterochronic Changes in Gonadal Differentiation in Pleurodema borellii Tadpoles Under Thyroid Gland Stimulation and Inhibition. 甲状腺刺激和抑制下胸膜水肿蝌蚪性腺分化的异慢性变化。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-10 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23323

Javier Goldberg, Marissa Fabrezi

{"title":"Heterochronic Changes in Gonadal Differentiation in Pleurodema borellii Tadpoles Under Thyroid Gland Stimulation and Inhibition.","authors":"Javier Goldberg, Marissa Fabrezi","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.23323","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.23323","url":null,"abstract":"Thyroid hormones (THs) are important regulators of somatic development in vertebrates. In anurans, they control critical processes such as early limb differentiation, tail resorption, and tissue and organ restructuring, enabling the transition from aquatic larvae to terrestrial adults. However, their role in gonadal development remains less understood, particularly as gonadal differentiation often occurs independently of larval growth and metamorphic remodeling. In this study, we analyzed the morphogenesis of gonads in Pleurodema borellii, revealing an asynchrony between ovarian and testicular differentiation during larval development. We then evaluated the effects of methimazole (a TH synthesis inhibitor) and thyroxine (T4, an endogenous TH agonist) on gonadal development under mesocosm conditions at different larval stages. Methimazole exposure affected testicular morphogenesis more profoundly during later stages, leading to a disorganized morphology, that is, with poorly defined seminiferous tubules, indistinct cysts of spermatogonia, and scattered germ and somatic cells. Early exposure to T4 affected testicular organization as well, while later exposure accelerated differentiation. In ovaries, the timing of T4 exposure significantly influenced lobulation and ovarian cavity formation, with early exposure exerting greater effects than late exposure. These findings suggest that gonadal differentiation appears to reflect an early sensitivity or response to initial TH signals during premetamorphic stages. Collectively, our results highlight the importance of THs in coordinating early gonadal development, reflecting the complexity of endocrine regulation in amphibian sexual differentiation, likely involving interactions with other hormonal axes such as corticosteroids and sex steroids.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"214-225"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Biomechanical Properties of Long Bones and Degrees of Morphological Integration Between the Fore and Hindlimbs in Anuran Species With Different Habitat Uses. 不同生境无尾猿物种长骨生物力学特性及前肢和后肢形态整合程度

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-09-04 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23329

Miriam Corina Vera, Jessica Fratani, Gustavo Roberto Cointry, Virginia Abdala

{"title":"Biomechanical Properties of Long Bones and Degrees of Morphological Integration Between the Fore and Hindlimbs in Anuran Species With Different Habitat Uses.","authors":"Miriam Corina Vera, Jessica Fratani, Gustavo Roberto Cointry, Virginia Abdala","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.23329","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.23329","url":null,"abstract":"The mechanical loads from muscle contraction and gravity affect the biomechanical properties of long-bone limbs, varying according to the functional demands of each limb. In anurans, both limbs are used for locomotion, but the hindlimbs generate higher energy for jumping or swimming, and the forelimbs serve additional purposes (e.g., landing, amplexus, feeding, etc). This study examines the bone architecture of the forelimb bones (humerus and radioulna) and the hindlimb bones (femur, tibiafibula, tibiale, and fibulare) of 24 anuran species with different habitat uses within a phylogenetic context. Also, because of functional divergence among limbs, we investigate possible divergence in morphological integration among long bones depending on habitat use. Across all species, forelimb bones show significantly higher bone biomechanical properties values than hindlimbs, with aquatic and semiaquatic species exhibiting the most resistant bones to bending and fracture. The femur and tibiafibula of aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial species showed similar and higher values, while arboreal species had the lowest values. The tibiale and fibulare bones show a unique stratified pattern across habitats, and in most species, these bones have higher values than the femur and tibiafibula. Although morphological integration varies across habitats-with terrestrial species showing the highest and aquatic and arboreal species the lowest, reflecting differences in limb specialization-the tibiale and fibulare uniquely exhibit significant covariation across all species. While phylogenetic factors may contribute to the observed variability, ecological factors play a crucial role in shaping bone geometry, highlighting the evolutionary adaptations of long bone resistance across ecological niches.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"255-270"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145000716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Land of Evo-Devo: The 2024 Latin American Developmental Biology Conference in Valparaíso, Chile. Evo-Devo的土地：2024年拉丁美洲发育生物学会议Valparaíso，智利。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-06-06 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23308

Sayoni Chatterjee, Tetsuya Nakamura

{"title":"Land of Evo-Devo: The 2024 Latin American Developmental Biology Conference in Valparaíso, Chile.","authors":"Sayoni Chatterjee, Tetsuya Nakamura","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.23308","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.23308","url":null,"abstract":"The 2024 Latin American Developmental Biology Conference, held in Valparaíso, Chile, brought together a dynamic and diverse community of researchers to discuss current advances and prospectives in embryology. With participants from across the Americas and beyond, this extraordinary meeting highlighted the region's growing role in the field. A central theme throughout was the growing need for integrative approaches that connect multiple layers of biological phenomena to explain how form and function emerge during development: in Latin America, applications of genomics, imaging, genetics, and computational modelling to unique biological resource are transforming our understanding of developmental systems. The conference also fostered a highly inclusive and interactive environment with enthusiastic participation from trainees and early-career scientists. Poster sessions, lightning talks, and workshops offered platforms for critical reflection on issues such as challenges in funding, inclusion, and research ethics. Despite political and institutional challenges in the region, the conference showcased the creativity, resilience, and momentum of Latin American scientists, affirming their critical role in directing developmental biology towards the new horizon.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"188-194"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144234250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Cranial Asymmetry in Hyloidea (Anura, Neobatrachia): Patterns of Morphological Variation. 水螅目（无尾目，新水螅目）颅骨不对称：形态变异模式。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-03-16 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.70018

Carolina Lobo Terán, Jéssica Fratani, María Laura Ponssa

{"title":"Cranial Asymmetry in Hyloidea (Anura, Neobatrachia): Patterns of Morphological Variation.","authors":"Carolina Lobo Terán, Jéssica Fratani, María Laura Ponssa","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.70018","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.70018","url":null,"abstract":"Asymmetry in a bilateral organism refers to the difference in the expression of a trait between right and left sides, which may result from genetic or environmental disturbances. Using geometric morphometrics and a phylogenetic approach, we studied asymmetry in dorsal and ventral views of the skulls of anuran species, representing 22 families, 16 of which belong to the Hyloidea clade. The cranial regions with the most pronounced shape asymmetry were identified. To discern species with elevated levels of asymmetry and to hypothesize its evolutionary trends across phylogeny we implemented the asymmetry index. Significant asymmetric skull shape variation was found between right and left sides, associated with the upper area of the mandibular joint and the anterior area of the nasals in dorsal view. In ventral view, the greatest variation was in the vomers and the ala of the parasphenoid. The degree of size-related asymmetry varied among species. Character mapping results indicate that cranial asymmetry is a conserved and widespread trait in the Hyloidea clade, representing an ancestral condition across both dorsal and ventral regions of the skull. The observed asymmetries were found in traits that develop later in their ontogeny, which would imply that as they establish fewer developmental dependencies with other traits and, consequently, are less phylogenetically constrained. The asymmetries we found belong to this category and would be more prone to change during evolution.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"291-304"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147468264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Adding the "Eco" to the "Evo-Devo": A New Special Issue on Latin America Evo-Devo. 在“Evo-Devo”中增加“Eco”：关于拉丁美洲Evo-Devo的新特刊。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.70022

Eduardo E Zattara, Tetsuya Nakamura, Adriana Manzano

引用次数: 0

Fractal Dimension and Suture Complexity During Postnatal Ontogeny in Neotropical Deer in Relation to Sexual Dimorphism and Other Biological Features. 新生热带鹿出生后个体发育的分形维数和缝线复杂性与两性二态性和其他生物学特征的关系。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-04-29 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23300

Nuria S Di Guida, Guillermo H Cassini

{"title":"Fractal Dimension and Suture Complexity During Postnatal Ontogeny in Neotropical Deer in Relation to Sexual Dimorphism and Other Biological Features.","authors":"Nuria S Di Guida, Guillermo H Cassini","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.23300","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.23300","url":null,"abstract":"In mammals, the increase in cranial suture complexity throughout postnatal ontogeny has been linked to mechanical forces that load on the skull, including compression forces from mastication and the presence and use of cranial appendages in ungulates. Suture complexity, or interdigitation, provides a large absorptive capacity for mechanical stress. Deer are unique among ungulates by the presence of antlers only in males. In particular, Neotropical species exhibit a great diversity in terms of morphology, weight, sexual size dimorphism (absence or presence), and ecology. To evaluate the relationship of suture interdigitation with the mechanical stress produced by antlers, we quantified the complexity of the interfrontal and coronal sutures using fractal dimension (D) in six Neotropical deer species. Utilizing the occlusal tooth area (OTA) of the first upper molar as a proxy of age, we analyze changes of D throughout postnatal ontogeny and test for sexual dimorphism. In all species, ontogenetic series indicate an increase of complexity of both sutures with OTA. Overall, the species with a significant sexual dimorphism in body size and antlers with more than one tine show the more complex sutures, with the presence of greater interdigitation in adult males than in females, regardless of the existence of intraspecific fights during the rut. This is the first study where sexual dimorphism in cranial suture complexity in relation to the presence of antlers in deer is reported, suggesting the role of the interfrontal and coronal sutures on the dissipation of mechanical stress forces produced by the presence of antlers.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"172-187"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143985665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Vertebrate Morphology Research in Argentina: Methodological Advances and Challenges. 阿根廷脊椎动物形态学研究：方法进展与挑战。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-06-18 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23309

Adriana S Manzano, Fratani Jessica

引用次数: 0

Ecomorphology of Anurans: The Challenge of Ecological Categories and Locomotor Modes. 无尾动物的生态形态学：生态分类和运动模式的挑战。

IF 1.7 3区生物学

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-09-12 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23330

María Laura Ponssa, Carolina Lobo Terán, Henrique Folly, Jessica Fratani, Virginia Abdala

{"title":"Ecomorphology of Anurans: The Challenge of Ecological Categories and Locomotor Modes.","authors":"María Laura Ponssa, Carolina Lobo Terán, Henrique Folly, Jessica Fratani, Virginia Abdala","doi":"10.1002/jez.b.23330","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jez.b.23330","url":null,"abstract":"Ecomorphology examines how species' morphology adapt to their environments, providing insights into biodiversity and evolution. This field relies on three main components: a morphological matrix, an ecological matrix, and phylogeny. A major challenge in contemporary anuran ecomorphology is constructing the ecological matrix, as categorizing species' ecological roles lacks a standardized methodology, leading to inconsistencies across studies and complicating comparisons. In this study, we discuss the challenges of systematizing criteria for constructing the ecological matrix in anurans. To this end, we conducted a literature search, focusing on studies that consider microhabitats as ecological categories and locomotor abilities, using relevant keywords to the topic. A total of 31 studies from the last 46 years were selected for analysis, and information was extracted on the following aspects: analyzed species; microhabitat and locomotor mode categories; and whether or not own criteria for assigning ecological categories (i.e., microhabitat and locomotor modes) were specified. The analyzed studies reveal a high degree of consistency in the assignment of ecological categories for microhabitat classification but not for locomotor modes designation. The main discrepancies occur in the burrowing and/or fossorial categories, as well as climbing. Interestingly, these categories appear both as microhabitats and as locomotor modes. Key criteria include direct field observations and assignments based on primary literature sources. The variability in category assignments and data collection criteria underscores the need to develop more standardized protocols for ecological categorization to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of ecomorphological studies.","PeriodicalId":15682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution","volume":" ","pages":"271-281"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145040121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0