Canary grasses (Phalaris, Poaceae) include 21 species widely distributed throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world with centers of diversity in the Mediterranean Basin and western North America. The genus contains annual/perennial, endemic/cosmopolitan, wild, and invasive species with basic numbers of x=6 (diploid) and x=7 (diploid/tetraploid/hexaploid). The latter display vastly greater speciation and geographic distribution. These attributes make Phalaris an ideal platform to study species diversification, dispersal, historic hybridization, polyploidy events, and chromosome evolution in the grasses. This body of research presents the first molecular phylogenetic and phylogeographic reconstruction of the genus based on the nuclear ITS and plastid trnT-F DNA regions allowing species relationships and the importance of polyploidy in speciation to be assessed. Divergence dates for the genus were determined using Bayesian methods (BEAST, version 1.6.2) and historic patterns of dispersal were analyzed with RASP (version 2.1b). Self-incompatibility and the feasibility of hybridization between major groups within the genus were studied with a series of greenhouse experiments. Acetocarmine and fluorescent staining techniques were used to study the morphology of the chromosomes in a phylogenetic context and the nuclear DNA content (C values) was quantified using flow cytometry. Four major clades were revealed in the genus with cytological and geographic affinities leading to the establishment of two subgenera and four sections in the first comprehensive infrageneric treatment of Phalaris. Divergence dating revealed a Miocene emergence (20.6-8.4 MYA) for the genus which is concurrent with studies of other genera in the Aveneae tribe. The hypothesis stating that Phalaris originated in the Mediterranean Basin and dispersed to the New World via a western route leading to a secondary center of diversification in western North America was supported by phylogeographic and cytological analyses. An empirical study comparing the weight, length, and width of the florets by morphological type and cytotype revealed significant differences that support a dispersal advantage among the New World and Arundinacea species. The x=6 species displayed greater intraspecific C value variation, higher DNA content per haploid chromosome set, and a distinct karyotype compared with the x=7 species indicating a complex history of chromosome evolution. / Ph. D.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-07-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:43:06Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 abril_vv_dr_jabo.pdf: 1648950 bytes, checksum: a989c1942e3dd9ac9da5d7078193a943 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Estudos com veado-mateiro (Mazama americana) mostram que há muitas controvérsias quanto ao número de subespécies ou até quanto ao desdobramento destas em espécies. Em estudo citotaxonômico foram encontradas variações cromossômicas intra e interpopulacionais em populações de M. americana geograficamente distantes, com número diplóide de 48 a 53 e número fundamental de 46 a 57. Com base nisto, o presente estudo visou compreender como ocorreu a reorganização cromossômica dentro das variantes encontradas durante a evolução do grupo. Para isto, estrutura e organização dos cromossomos de M. americana foram analisadas para identificar os rearranjos que originaram a variação intraespecífica através das técnicas de bandamento cromossômico (bandas G, C, Ag-NOR), hibridação in situ (FISH) com sondas teloméricas e pintura cromossômica com o uso de sondas cromossômicas da espécie Mazama gouazoubira. Foram identificados seis citótipos distribrídos em 12 cariótipos diferentes: Rondônia (2n=42 ou 43 e NF=46; 2n=42 e NF=49), Juína (2n= 43, 44 ou 45 e NF=48; 2n=44 e NF=46), Jarí (2n=49; NF=56, Carajás (2n=50 e NF=54), Santarém (2n=51 e NF=56) e Paraná (2n=51,52 ou 53 e NF=56). O cariótipo básico do citótipo Paraná foi utilizado como base comparativa para os demais. Os rearranjos que originaram essas diferenças foram fusões cêntricas, em tandem e inversões pericêntricas. A análise de complexo sinaptonêmico confirmou a existência de um sistema sexual múltiplo do tipo XX/XY1Y2 através da detecção de uma trivalente sexual. Sítios teloméricos intersticiais evidenciam que a ocorrência de eventos de fusões em tandem foi essencial para a evolução cariotípica desta espécie e a homologia de sondas cromossomo-específicas de M. gouazoubira corroboram que o caminho da reorganização cromossômica entre estas espécies foi principalmente através de fusões. / Studies with the red brocket deer (Mazama americana) shown that there are a lot of controversies about the number of subspecies or about the unfolding of these in new species. Citotaxonomic studies found intra and interpopulational chromosomal variations, with diploid number varing from 48 to 53 and fundamental number from 46 to 57. Based on these studies, the aim of the present study was understood how the chromosomal reorganization occurred between this variants during the evolution process. For that, we analyzed the chromosomal structure and organization of M. americana, identifying the rearrangements responsible for the intraspecific variation through chromosome banding (G and C-banding, Ag-NOR), in situ hybridization of telomeric probes and chromosome painting using probes of M. gouazoubira species. It were found six different variants: Rondônia (2n=42 or 43 and FN=46; 2n=42 and FN=49), Juína (2n= 43, 44 or 45 and FN=48; 2n=44 and FN=46), Jarí (2n=49 and FN=56), Carajás (2n=50 and FN=54), Santarém (2n=51 and FN=56) and Paraná (2n=51,52 or 53 and FN=56). The basic karyotype of Paraná variant was choosing for comparative analysis. The rearrangements responsible for these chromosomal differences were centric and tandem fusions and pericentric inversions. The synaptonemal analysis sustained the existence of a multiple sexual system (XX/XY1Y2) with detection of a sexual trivalent. Intersticial telomeric sites shown the occurrence of tandem fusions was essential for the karyotype evolution of this species and the homology with the probes of M. gouazoubira corroborated that the way of chromosomal reorganization between these species was mainly through chromosome fusions.

Orientador: José Maurício Barbanti Duarte / Banca: Fausto Foresti / Banca: Cláudio de Oliveira / Banca: Orlando Moreira Filho / Banca: Vera Fernanda Martins Hossepian de Lima / Resumo: Estudos com veado-mateiro (Mazama americana) mostram que há muitas controvérsias quanto ao número de subespécies ou até quanto ao desdobramento destas em espécies. Em estudo citotaxonômico foram encontradas variações cromossômicas intra e interpopulacionais em populações de M. americana geograficamente distantes, com número diplóide de 48 a 53 e número fundamental de 46 a 57. Com base nisto, o presente estudo visou compreender como ocorreu a reorganização cromossômica dentro das variantes encontradas durante a evolução do grupo. Para isto, estrutura e organização dos cromossomos de M. americana foram analisadas para identificar os rearranjos que originaram a variação intraespecífica através das técnicas de bandamento cromossômico (bandas G, C, Ag-NOR), hibridação in situ (FISH) com sondas teloméricas e pintura cromossômica com o uso de sondas cromossômicas da espécie Mazama gouazoubira. Foram identificados seis citótipos distribrídos em 12 cariótipos diferentes: Rondônia (2n=42 ou 43 e NF=46; 2n=42 e NF=49), Juína (2n= 43, 44 ou 45 e NF=48; 2n=44 e NF=46), Jarí (2n=49; NF=56, Carajás (2n=50 e NF=54), Santarém (2n=51 e NF=56) e Paraná (2n=51,52 ou 53 e NF=56). O cariótipo básico do citótipo Paraná foi utilizado como base comparativa para os demais. Os rearranjos que originaram essas diferenças foram fusões cêntricas, em tandem e inversões pericêntricas. A análise de complexo sinaptonêmico confirmou a existência de um sistema sexual múltiplo do tipo XX/XY1Y2 através da detecção de uma trivalente sexual. Sítios teloméricos intersticiais evidenciam que a ocorrência de eventos de fusões em tandem foi essencial para a evolução cariotípica desta espécie e a homologia de sondas cromossomo-específicas de M. gouazoubira corroboram que o caminho da reorganização cromossômica entre estas espécies foi principalmente através de fusões. / Abstract: Studies with the red brocket deer (Mazama americana) shown that there are a lot of controversies about the number of subspecies or about the unfolding of these in new species. Citotaxonomic studies found intra and interpopulational chromosomal variations, with diploid number varing from 48 to 53 and fundamental number from 46 to 57. Based on these studies, the aim of the present study was understood how the chromosomal reorganization occurred between this variants during the evolution process. For that, we analyzed the chromosomal structure and organization of M. americana, identifying the rearrangements responsible for the intraspecific variation through chromosome banding (G and C-banding, Ag-NOR), in situ hybridization of telomeric probes and chromosome painting using probes of M. gouazoubira species. It were found six different variants: Rondônia (2n=42 or 43 and FN=46; 2n=42 and FN=49), Juína (2n= 43, 44 or 45 and FN=48; 2n=44 and FN=46), Jarí (2n=49 and FN=56), Carajás (2n=50 and FN=54), Santarém (2n=51 and FN=56) and Paraná (2n=51,52 or 53 and FN=56). The basic karyotype of Paraná variant was choosing for comparative analysis. The rearrangements responsible for these chromosomal differences were centric and tandem fusions and pericentric inversions. The synaptonemal analysis sustained the existence of a multiple sexual system (XX/XY1Y2) with detection of a sexual trivalent. Intersticial telomeric sites shown the occurrence of tandem fusions was essential for the karyotype evolution of this species and the homology with the probes of M. gouazoubira corroborated that the way of chromosomal reorganization between these species was mainly through chromosome fusions. / Doutor

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objectives of this research were to: (1) accurately identify chromosome homology, (2) identify chromosome rearrangements leading to diploid number variation and chromosome evolution to formulate the ancestral gerbil karyotype and distinguish homoplasy from hemiplasy, and (3) construct a phylogeny using chromosomal characters based on G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of ten gerbil species representing five genera (Gerbilliscus, Desmodillus, Psammomys, Meriones, Taterillus), with probes derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of G. paeba (GPA, 2n = 36), and polarised with the murid outgroup, Micaelamys namaquensis. All paints successfully hybridized to all ingroup and outgroup taxa. Three of the 19 G. paeba painting probes (GPA 7, 9 and X [including the X; autosome translocation in T. pygargus]) were conserved as whole chromosomes, and 16 were rearranged (GPA 1-6, 8, 10-17). Chromosome painting correctly identified the homology of the heterochromatic GPA 7, which was conserved as whole chromosomes in all gerbils. Thirteen previously misidentified G-band homologies were correctly identified with FISH; one in D. auricularis, and six each in G. kempi and G. gambianus. Homology maps identified 57 syntenic associations and that 19 rearrangements are responsible for diploid number differentiation among species. Parsimony analysis of the two matrices (syntenic association and rearrangements) retrieved a sister-species relationship between G. gambianus and G. kempi, and P. obesus and M. persicus (syntenic associations), an unresolved clade that included D. auricularis, G. gambianus, P. obesus and M. persicus (chromosome rearrangements) and a basal position for T. pygargus. Phylogenies derived from chromosomal data failed to resolve the deeper nodes. Consequently, characters were subsequently mapped on a molecular consensus tree (including a chronogram). This allowed inferences on the rate of chromosome evolution, which indicates that the basal D. auricularis is separated from Gerbilliscus by nine rearrangements (four Robertsonian fusions, five inversions), at a rate of 1.25/Myr. Gerbilliscus species evolved with an average of 10 Robertsonian rearrangements involving GPA 1–6, 8, 10 – 12, of which four are homoplasies (GPA 1-3, 5), one a potential hemiplasy (GPA 5) to southern African taxa, one a synapomorphy to G. paeba and G. tytonis (GPA 6), two synapomorphies in G. kempi and G. gambianus (GPA 11, 12), and three are synapomorphic to Gerbilliscus (GPA 4, 8, 10). Homoplasic characters across the two clades include GPA 3 (T. pygargus, G. paeba and G. tytonis) and GPA 5p-q prox (D. auricularis, P. obesus and M. persicus). Gerbilliscus (excluding G. paeba and G. tytonis) had the slowest chromosome evolutionary rate of < 1/Myr; G. paeba and G. tytonis were slightly faster at 2/Myr. The clade comprised of M. persicus, P. obesus and T. pygargus evolved faster, at a rate of 4/Myr (seven fissions, five fusions, two inversions), 2.3/Myr (seven fissions, two fusions, four inversions) and 16/Myr (eight fusions), respectively, indicating heterogeneity among Gerbillinae: A slow rate in Desmodillus and Gerbilliscus, and a fast evolutionary rate in Psammomys, Meriones and Taterillus. The putative ancestral karyotype was postulated to be 2n = 56, and included five biarmed autosomes and X chromosome, and 22 acrocentrics. This is provisional, since Brachiones, Desmodilliscus, Pachyuromys, Sekeetamys, Gerbillus and Rhombomys were not analysed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die objektief van hierdie navorsing was om: (1) akkurate chromosoom homologie te identifiseer, (2) chromosoom herranskikkings te identifiseer wat mag lei tot diploide chromosoom getal variasie en chromosoom evolusie ten einde te formuleer die voorouer karyotiepe van “gerbils” sowel as om te onderskei tussen homoplasie en hemiplasie, en (3) die konstruksie van 'n filogenetiese boomstam gebasseer op chromosoom karakters verkry vanaf G-banding en FISH (fluoressensie in situ hibridisasie) van tien “gerbil” spesies wat vyf genera verteenwoordig (Gerbilliscus, Desmodillus, Psammomys, Meriones, Taterillus), deur van geskikte sondes gebruik te maak wat verkry in deur floei-sorteerde chromosome van G. peaba (GPA, 2n = 36), wat gepolariseerd was met die Murid buitegroep, Micealamys namaquensis. Alle chromosoom verwe het suksesvolgehibridiseer aan al die ingroep en buitegroep taxa. Drie van die 19 G.peaba verfwe (GPA 7, 9 and X (including the X; autosome translocation in T. pygargus) was bewaar as heel chromosome, en 16 herrangskik (GPA 1-6, 8, 10-17). Chromosoom verfwing kon suksesvol die homologie van die heterochromatise GPA7 identifiseer wat gekonserveerd was as heel chromosome in al die “gerbils”, wat moontlik aandui die teenwoordigheid van funksionele gene. Dertien voorheen mis geidentifiseerde G-band homologieë was gekorregeer deurmiddel van FISH, een in D. auricularis, en ses elk in G. kempi en G. gambianus. Homologie kaarte het 57 sintesiese assosiasies geidentifiseer en dat 19 herrangskikings verantwoordelik was vir diploied nommer differensiasies tussen spesies. Parsimonie analises van die twee matrikse (sinteniese assosiasies en herrangskikings) wys 'n suster-spesie verwantskap tussen G. gambianus en G. kempi, en P. obesus en M .persicus (sinteniese assosiasies), 'n unopgeloste klade wat D. auricularis, G. gambianus, P. obesus en M. persicus (chromosoom herrangskikkings) opmaak vorm die basale posisie vir Taterillus pygargus. Filogenetise boomstamme verkry vanaf die chromosomale data misluk egter om die dieper nodes op te los. Karakters was daarna geplot op 'n konsensus boom (insluitend 'n chronogram). Dit het dieper insigte toegelaat soos die tempo van chromosoom evolusie, wat aandui dat die basale D. auricularis geskei is vanaf Gerbilliscus met nege herrangskikkings (vier Robertsonian, vyf inversies) teen 'n tempo van 1.25/Mja. Gerbilliscus spesies het verander met 13 herranskikinge (11 saamsmeltings en twee inversies), waarvan vier potensiele homoplasies/hemiplasies (GPA 1-3, 5). Met die uitsluitsel van G. paeba en G. tytonis, het Gerbilliscus die laagste chromosoom evolutionêre tempo van al die “gerbils” < 1 /Mja, G. paeba en G. tytonis was ietwat vinniger met 'n tempo van 2/Mja. The klade wat bestaan uit M. persicus, P. obesus en T. pygargus verander vinniger as Desmodillus en Gerbilliscus, met 'n evolutionêre tempo van 4/Mja (sewe fissies, vyf samesmeltings, twee inversies) en 2.3 Mja (sewe fissies, twee samesmeltings, vier inversies) onderskeidelik, wat grootendeels tandem was. Die karyotiepe van Taterillus pygarus het agt samesmeltings gehad wat predominant tandem was, teen 'n tempo van 16/Mja. Terwyl meeste van die herrangskikinge synapomorfies was, was sommige homoplasties of hemiplasties. Homoplastiese karakters wat gedeel was tussen die twee klades sluit in GPA 3 (in T pygargus en G. paeba en G. tytonis) en GPA 5p-q prox (D. auricularis, P. obesus en M. persicus). GPA 5 was hemiplasties aan alle suider Afrikaanse taxa. Die analise van sinteniese assosiasies en chromosoom herrangskikings was geanaliseer in PAUP, en gepolariseer met die murid Micealamys namaquensis. Taterillus pygarus het 'n basale posisie in beide filogenetiese boomstamme. Die data stel voor dat FISH meer akkurate resultate lewer op chromosoom homologie as die streng gebruik making van banding patrone. Verder het die tempo van chromosoom evolusie gevarieër vanaf stadig (Desmodillus en Gerbilliscus) tot vinnig (Psammomys, Meriones en Taterillus), chromosoom karakters egter was nie sterk genoeg om dieper filogenetiese verwantskappe te ondersoek nie. Die voornemende voorouerlike karytiepe van “gerbils” was hier gehipotiseer as 2n = 56. Drie bevindinge resoneer uit hierdie studie. Eerstens, chromosoom verwing kon chromosoom homologieë wat voorheen deur banding studies mis ge-identifiseer was korrek identifiseer: hierdie sluit in een konflik in D. auricularis, en ses elk vir G. kempi en G. gambianus. Tweedens, die homologie van die heterochromatiese of C-positiewe autosome, GPA 7, was gedemonstreer as bewaar as 'n heel chromosoom as beide heterochromaties en euchromatiese chromosome in alle “gerbils”, wat aandui dat dit functionele gene dra. Derdens gebasseer op simpleisiomorfe wat geidentifiseer was vanaf die homologie kaarte en vergelykbare opleidings, hipotiseer ek dat die voorgestelde voorouer karyotiepe bestaan uit ses autosome (GPA 7, 9, 13, 15, 16, 17) en die X chromosoom, wat onveranderd gebly het tussen alle suider Afrikaanse taxa. Met die uitsluitsel van GPA 7p/7q, was almal behoue as twee-armige chromosome in die voor ouer karyotiepe. In lyn met hierdie is, 21 akrosentries GPA1p,1q, 2p, 2q, 3p, 3q, 4p, 4q, 5p, 5q, 6p, 6q, 8p, 8q, 10q, 10p, 11p,11q, 12p, 12q en 14, wat lei tot die voorgestelde voor ouerlike diploiede chromosoom getal van 2n = 56. Diè karyotiepe word voorgestel as 'n werkende hipotese deels omdat Brachiones, Desmodilliscus, Pachyuromys, Sekeetamys, Gerbillus en Rhombomys nie geanaliseer was nie, en dat die idiale buite groep vir “gerbils” van die Acomyinae nie gebruik was om die karakters te polariseer was nie.

Submitted by ALLISON KLEITON DOS ANJOS null (allison__anjos@hotmail.com) on 2018-01-15T10:50:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE FINAL ALLISON.pdf: 3595248 bytes, checksum: 33a447746191e365878b383ffd929cc8 (MD5) / Rejected by Adriana Aparecida Puerta null (dripuerta@rc.unesp.br), reason: Prezado Allison Kleiton dos Anjos, Solicitamos que realize uma nova submissão seguindo as orientações abaixo: - Resumo em língua estrangeira (inglês) - Faltou o Abstract no documento enviado. Este item é elemento obrigatório de acordo com as normas de trabalhos do seu Programa de Pós Graduação e deve vir logo após o Resumo em Português. Agradecemos a compreensão e aguardamos o envio do novo arquivo. Atenciosamente, Biblioteca Campus Rio Claro Repositório Institucional UNESP on 2018-01-15T16:52:52Z (GMT) / Submitted by ALLISON KLEITON DOS ANJOS null (allison__anjos@hotmail.com) on 2018-01-15T18:30:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE_FINAL_ALLISON.pdf: 4473839 bytes, checksum: ec9f453166f94072eff2f68fc43791e7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Aparecida Puerta null (dripuerta@rc.unesp.br) on 2018-01-15T18:37:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 anjos_ak_dr_rcla.pdf: 4115054 bytes, checksum: 5a5c208184ffdb419015062384640e33 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-15T18:37:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 anjos_ak_dr_rcla.pdf: 4115054 bytes, checksum: 5a5c208184ffdb419015062384640e33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-15 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Os hemipteros da infraordem Cicadomorpha são representados por aproximadamente 30.000 espécies de insetos sugadores distribuídos mundialmente. Apesar de se destacarem por causarem muitos prejuízos na agricultura e pecuária pouco se sabe sobre a variabilidade genética e cromossômica desses animais que apresentam cromossomos holocentricos. Os DNAs repetitivos são uma ferramenta útil em estudos de diversificação cariotípica, organização e evolução dos genomas. Deste modo, este trabalho teve como objetivo contribuir com o conhecimento sobre a dinâmica dos cariótipos de representantes de Cicadomorpha e a organização de DNAs repetitivos, especificamente: I. analisar o cariótipo de espécies pertencentes a quatro famílias de Cicadomorpha, bem como caracterizar a heterocromatina constitutiva quanto a riqueza de pares de base; II. inferir a respeito da dinâmica evolutiva de famílias gênicas por meio do mapeamento cromossômico; III. analisar a organização cromossômica e testar a conservação interespecífica da sequência telomérica TTAGGn do pool de DNAs repetitivos obtidos (fração C0t) de espécies do gênero Mahanarva e das sequências teloméricas; IV. Analisar o satelitoma de Mahanarva quadripunctata e comparar os diferentes DNAs satélites de seu genoma com o de outras espécies do gênero visando entender a organização e evolução dos satDNAs neste grupo. Os dados obtidos revelam ampla variabilidade cromossômica entre as distintas famílias, causada principalmente por fusões cromossômicas, entretanto dentro de uma mesma família os cariótipos tendem a apresentar menos variações ao nível macrocromossômico. Embora os Cicadomorpha apresentem variabilidade em números diplóides a organização dos DNAs repetitivos é bastante conservada, mesmo em famílias distantes filogeneticamente, sugerindo estabilidade. Alguns dados foram analisados baseados na filogenia da infraordem, sendo sugerido os possíveis padrões ancestrais. Além disso, as possíveis causas da variabilidade em relação aos padrões modais são sugeridos. Os dados apresentados são um avanço no conhecimento da organização de DNAs repetitivos em Cicadomorpha, sendo para algumas sequências a primeira vez que se realiza algum estudo. / The hemipterans of the Cicadomorpha infraorder are represented by approximately 30.000 species of sucking insects distributed worldwide. Although they stand out by cause many damages in agriculture and livestock, they are poorly studied regarding the genetic and chromosomal variability of these animals that present holocentric chromosomes. Repetitive DNAs are a useful tools in studies of karyotypic diversification, organization and evolution of genomes. The aim of this work was to contribute with knowledge about the dynamics of the karyotypes of Cicadomorpha and the organization of repetitive DNAs, specifically: I. Analyze the karyotype of species belonging to four families of Cicadomorpha, as well as to characterize the constitutive heterochromatin regarding base pairs richess; II. Infer about the evolutionary dynamics of multigene families through the chromosomal mapping; III. Analyze the chromosomal organization and test the interspecific conservation of the telemetric repeat TTAGGn from the pool of repetitive DNA fraction (C0t fraction) of Mahanarva species and telomeric sequences; IV. Analyze the satellitome of Mahanarva quadripunctata and compare the different satellite DNAs of its genome with that from other species of the genus in order to understand the organization and evolution of satDNAs in this group. The data obtained reveal a wide chromosomal variability among the different families, caused mainly by chromosomal fusions, however within a same family the karyotypes tend to present less variations at the macro-chromosomal level. Although Cicadomorpha exhibit variability in diploid numbers, the organization of repetitive DNAs is highly conserved, even in phylogenetically distant families, suggesting stability. Some data were analyzed based on the phylogeny of the infraorder, suggesting possible ancestral patterns. In addition, the possible causes of variability relative to modal patterns are suggested. The data presented is an advance in the knowledge of the organization of repetitive DNAs in Cicadomorpha, being for some sequences the first time that some study is done. / FAPESP: 2014/06226-3.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Chromosomal mechanisms of sex determination vary greatly in phylogenetically closely related species, indicative of rapid evolutionary rates. Sex chromosome karyotypes are generally conserved within families; however, many species have derived sex chromosome configurations. Insects display a plethora of sex chromosome systems due to rapid diversification caused by changes in evolutionary processes within and between species. A good example of such a system are insects in the blow fly family Calliphoridae. While cytogenetic studies observe that the karyotype in blow flies is highly conserved (five pairs of autosomal chromosomes and one pair sex chromosome), there is variation in sex determining mechanisms and sex chromosome structure within closely related species in blow flies. The evolutionary history of sex chromosomes in blow fly species have not been fully explored. Therefore, the objective of this research was to characterize the sex chromosome structures in four species of blow flies and investigate the selective forces which have played a role in shaping the diverse sex chromosome system observed in blow flies. The blow fly species used in this study are Phormia regina, Lucilia cuprina, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya albiceps. Phormia regina,and Lucilia cuprina have a heteromorphic sex chromosome system and are amphogenic (females produce both male and female offspring in equal ratio). In contrast, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya albiceps, have a homomorphic sex chromosome system, are monogenic (females produce unisexual progeny), have two types of females (arrhenogenic females – male producers and thelygenic females – female producers), and sex of the offspring is determined by the maternal genotype. To accomplish these tasks, a total of nine male and female individual draft genomes for each of the four species (including three individual draft genomes of Chrysomya rufifacies – male, and the two females) were sequenced and assembled providing genomic data to explore sex chromosome evolution in blow flies. Whole genome analysis was utilized to characterize and identify putative sex chromosomal sequences of the four blow fly species. Genomic evidence confirmed the presence of genetically differentiated sex chromosomes in P. regina and L. cuprina; and genetically undifferentiated sex chromosomes in C. rufifacies and C. albiceps. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the ancestral Dipteran sex chromosome (Muller element F in Drosophila) was determined to be X-linked in P. regina and L. cuprina contributing to sex chromosome differentiation but not sex-linked in C. rufifacies and C. albiceps. Evolutionary pressures are often quantified by the ratio of substitution rates at non-synonymous (dN) and synonymous (dS) sites. Substitution rate ratio analysis (dN/dS) of homologous genes indicated a weaker purifying selection may have contributed to the loss of sex-linked genes in Muller element F genes of the undifferentiated sex chromosome as compared to the differentiated sex chromosome system. Overall, the results presented herein greatly expands our knowledge in sex chromosome evolution within blow flies and will reinforce the study of sex chromosome evolution in other species with diverse sex chromosome systems.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted through the bites of infected females of a few Anopheles mosquito species. Understanding the chromosome evolution and mechanisms of speciation can shed light on developing novel ecological-friendly vector control techniques. Sibling species of the An. gambiae complex provide an excellent model system for these topics. To understand the mechanisms of speciation, we investigated the cellular basis and phenotypes of hybrid male sterility in species crosses of the An. gambiae complex. By performing inter-species crosses of An. coluzzii/An. gambiae and An. merus lab strains, we found an asymmetric pattern of hybrid male sterility existed in sons from reciprocal interspecies crosses. Compared with pure species, hybrid males from crosses of ♀An. merus  ♂An. gambiae/An. coluzzii were normal in the morphology of male reproductive tracts; however, the testes of which that process the reductional meiotic division failed to produce primary spermatocytes and were accompanied with unpaired and insufficiently condensed chromosomes. As a result, primary spermatocytes undergo a mitosis-like anaphase division, producing nonmotile and malfunctional diploid sperm with two tails. However, individuals can mate with females normally and form the mating plug to induce the female monogamy. In contrast, hybrid males from the opposite crosses manifest severely underdeveloped reproductive tracts and a premeiotic arrest of germline stem cells in the testis, accompanied by a strong suppression of premeiotic and meiotic genes. In addition, hybrid males from this cross suffered from a shorter copulation time and failed to form mating plugs to induce female monogamous behaviors, albeit the expression of male accessory gland specific genes were similar between hybrids and pure species. To figure out chromosome evolution in the An. gambiae complex, we studied the molecular organization of heterochromatin and investigated the spatial organizations of autosomal regions of polytene chromosomes in soma and germline cells. We found that molecular composition of pericentrometric autosome and sex chromosome repetitive DNA differs among sibling species of An. gambiae complex with highly similarity between An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis. In addition, heterochromatin blocks of chromosomes have distinct compositions of satellite DNA sequences. Next, in order to address the relationship between inter-chromosomal (Chr-Chr) contacts and chromosome-nuclear envelope (Chr-NE) attachments during the development of the organism, we conducted microscopic analyses of the 3D organization of polytene chromosome in An. gambiae, An. coluzzii, and An. merus. Our quantitative study on chromosome territories in larval salivary gland cells and adult ovarian nurse cells showed that, compared with autosomal arms, the X chromosome has a significantly smaller volume and occupies more compact territories. The number of Chr-Chr contacts and the percentage of Chr-NE attachment were conserved among the species within the same cell type. Our data also demonstrated that there is a significantly and consistently inverse relationship between the frequencies of Chr–NE and Chr–Chr attachments on autosomes of two cell types in all tested species. / Doctor of Philosophy / Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted through the bites of infected females of a few Anopheles mosquito species. Despite being treatable and preventable, malaria is estimated to cause large numbers of deaths every year. Since 2015, the malaria elimination program has stalled largely due to increased insecticide resistance. Novel transgenic techniques have a huge potential in reducing malaria transmission more effectively. However, there are large concerns about the potential negative effects of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes, such as a possibility of accidental spread to non-target species with incomplete reproductive barriers and unpredicted ecological damage. Understanding the mechanisms of speciation about how reproductive isolation occurred and developed as well as chromosome evolution can not only empower the development of ecologically friendly vector control techniques but also improve our basic knowledge. To study mechanisms of speciation, we mated males and females from different closely related species in the Anopheles gambiae complex to investigate the fecundity of hybrid generations. Our study identified two different types of reproductive abnormalities leading to hybrid male sterility. Hybrid males from female An. merus and male An. gambiae or An. coluzzii have normal appearing testes and male accessary glands but the testes produce abnormal sperms, which cannot move and have two tails. Hybrid males from female An. gambiae or An. coluzzii and An. merus have severely underdeveloped testes and male accessary glands. The sperm producing process stops unusually very early in their tiny underdeveloped testes. We also investigated chromosome evolution in species of An. gambiae complex. We found that chromosomal parts containing repetitive DNA, the sequence in the genome not producing proteins, evolve rapidly in An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, An. quadriannulatus, and An. merus. In contrast, chromosome territories of gene rich regions in giant polytene chromosomes from larval salivary gland cells and adult ovarian nurse cells of An. gambiae, An. coluzzii, and An. merus, were relatively conserved within the same cell type among different species. However, the chromosomal 3D distribution pattern is different among various cell types in these species.

Changes in the structure, content and morphology of chromosomes accumulate over evolutionary time and contribute to cell, developmental and organismal biology. The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is an important model for studying these changes because: 1) it provides important phylogenetic perspective for reconstructing the evolution of vertebrate genomes and amphibian karyotypes, 2) its genome has evolved to a large size (~10X larger than human) but has maintained gene orders, and 3) it possesses potentially young sex chromosomes that have not undergone extensive differentiation in the structure that is typical of many other vertebrate sex chromosomes (e.g. mammalian XY chromosomes and avian ZW chromosomes). Early chromosomal studies were performed through cytogenetics, but more recent methods involving next generation sequencing and comparative genomics can reveal new information. Due to the large size and inherent complexity of the axolotl genome, multiple approaches are needed to cultivate the genomic and molecular resources essential for expanding its utility in modern scientific inquiries. This dissertation describes our efforts to improve the genomic and molecular resources for the axolotl and other salamanders, with the aim of better understanding the events that have driven the evolution of vertebrate (and amphibian) chromosomes. First, I review our current state of knowledge with respect to genome and karyotype evolution in the amphibians, present a case for studying sex chromosome evolution in the axolotl, and discuss solutions for performing analyses of large vertebrate genomes. In the second chapter, I present a study that resulted in the optimization of methods for the capture and sequencing of individual chromosomes and demonstrate the utility of the approach in improving the existing Ambystoma linkage map and generating targeted assemblies of individual chromosomes. In the third chapter, I present a published work that focuses on using this approach to characterize the two smallest chromosomes and provides an initial characterization of the huge axolotl genome. In the fourth chapter, I present another study that details the development of a dense linkage map for a newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, and its use in comparative analyses, including the discovery of a specific chromosomal fusion event in Ambystoma at the site of a major effect quantitative trait locus for metamorphic timing. I then describe the characterization of the relatively undifferentiated axolotl sex chromosomes, identification of a tiny sex-specific (W-linked) region, and a strong candidate for the axolotl sex-determining gene. Finally, I provide a brief discussion that recapitulates the main findings of each study, their utility in current studies, and future research directions. The research in this dissertation has enriched this important model with genomic and molecular resources that enhance its use in modern scientific research. The information provided from evolutionary studies in axolotl chromosomes shed critical light on vertebrate genome and chromosome evolution, specifically among amphibians, an underrepresented vertebrate clade in genomics, and in homomorphic sex chromosomes, which have been largely unstudied in amphibians.

Submitted by Bruna Rodrigues (bruna92rodrigues@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-27T14:16:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T14:11:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T14:11:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-10T14:12:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-27 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Parodontidae comprises the genera Parodon, Apareiodon e Saccodon, including 32 valid species. Of these, 16 occur in Brazil, and only ten defined at species level and one at genus level possess available chromosomal data. Due to the lack of cytogenetic data of Parodontidae species from the Tocantins-Araguaia and Jaguaribe river basins, this study analyzed by cytogenetic (classical and molecular) and molecular (DNA Barcode) methods six populations from the Tocantins-Araguaia river basin (Apareiodon cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, Apareiodon machrisi, Apareiodon argenteus and Parodon cf. pongoensis) and one species from the Jaguaribe river basin (Apareiodon davisi), in order to contribute to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of the family and assist in the understanding of chromosome evolution of this fish group. For all of the Apareiodon analyzed species was identified conservation in diploid number, distribution pattern of heterochromatic blocks and dispersion pattern of repetitive fraction WAp. However, karyotype formula, active nucleolar organizer regions, location of ribosomal genes 45S and 5S and distribution of satellite DNA pPh2004 sites shown to be variable among the species. The (GATA)n and telomeric (TTAGGG)n sequences exhibited similar pattern in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2 and A. machrisi. In this work, we described the first reports of ribosomal genes co-location for Parodontidae, being observed in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi and A. davisi, and also the polymorphism involving the two ribosomal sequences of A. davisi. Analysis of histones H1 and H4 localization represent the first study of histone genes in the family and showed that the seven collected species have co-location of these sequences in a chromosome pair, occuring one additional site of H1 in A. davisi, and dispersed sites of this sequence by the chromosomes of the species. Chromosomal analysis and DNA Barcode performed in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2 and A. machrisi showed recent divergence among these individual groups, suggesting that Apareiodon sp. 2 is a possible new species, and Apareiodon sp. 1 is a population of A. machrisi. This work contributed to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of viii Parodontidae, presenting unpublished chromosomal and molecular data of this family. General analysis of chromosomal data of this family revealed conservation of karyotype macrostructure, however, more detailed analyzes indicated the occurrence of a great variety of chromosomal microstructural level. The results presented in this study, along with that available in literature, indicated that this microstructure chromosome diversity is clearly linked to repetitive DNAs dynamics. / Parodontidae é composta pelos gêneros Parodon, Apareiodon e Saccodon, incluindo 32 espécies consideradas válidas. Destas, 16 ocorrem em território brasileiro e apenas 11 possuem dados cromossômicos disponíveis. Considerando a escassez de dados citogenéticos para espécies de Parodontidae das bacias dos rios Tocantins-Araguaia e Jaguaribe, o presente trabalho analisou através de metodologias citogenéticas (clássicas e moleculares) e moleculares (DNA Barcode) seis populações da bacia dos rios Tocantins-Araguaia (Apareiodon cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, Apareiodon machrisi, Apareiodon argenteus e Parodon cf. pongoensis) e uma espécie da bacia do rio Jaguaribe (Apareiodon davisi), com o intuito de contribuir para o conhecimento da diversidade genética da família e auxiliar na compreensão da taxonomia e evolução cromossômica desse grupo de peixes. Para todas as espécies de Apareiodon analisadas, foi identificada conservação no número diploide, padrão de distribuição de heterocromatina e padrão de dispersão da fração repetitiva WAp. Entretanto, a fórmula cariotípica, as regiões organizadoras de nucléolo ativas, a localização dos genes ribossomais 45S e 5S e a distribuição dos sítios do DNA satélite pPh2004 mostraram-se variáveis entre as espécies. As sequências (GATA)n e telomérica (TTAGGG)n exibiram padrão similar para A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi. No presente trabalho foram descritos os primeiros relatos de co-localização de genes ribossomais para Parodontidae, sendo observados em A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi e A. davisi, e também do polimorfismo envolvendo as duas sequências ribossomais verificado em A. davisi. As análises da localização das sequências das histonas H1 e H4 representam os primeiros dados de genes histônicos para a família e evidenciaram para as sete espécies coletadas a ocorrência de co-localização destas sequências em um par cromossômico, ocorrendo um sítio adicional de H1 em A. davisi, e sítios dispersos dessa sequência pelos cromossomos das espécies. Análises cromossômicas e de DNA Barcode realizadas para A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi evidenciaram divergência recente entre esses grupos de indivíduos, vi sugerindo que Apareiodon sp. 2 represente uma possível espécie que carece de descrição taxonômica e Apareiodon sp. 1 seja uma população de A. machrisi. O presente trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento da diversidade genética de Parodontidae, apresentando dados cromossômicos e moleculares inéditos desta família. Análises gerais dos dados cromossômicos conhecidos para a família revelam conservação da macroestrutura cariotípica, entretanto, análises mais detalhadas evidenciam a ocorrência de uma grande diversidade cromossômica em nível microestrutural. Os resultados apresentados no presente trabalho, juntamente aos disponíveis em literatura, indicam que esta diversidade da microestrutura cromossômica encontra-se claramente associada à dinâmica dos DNAs repetitivos. / 2012/15258-0

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