Biology subjects

Saenz-Agudelo, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Saenz-Agudelo, P..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Otolith shape variability of labrid fish from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), southeastern Pacific

Fish otolith shape provides valuable insights into the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and ecological traits of fish species. This study aimed to assess and compare the phenotypic variation in otolith shape among four labrid species (Anampses femininus, Coris debueni, Pseudolabrus fuentesi and Thalassoma lutescens) inhabiting Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, utilizing geometric morphometrics and aging methods. Age estimation based on otolith structure indicated that collected specimens were adults, ranging between 1 and 3 years old. Allometric analysis revealed low but significant variation (5.40%), primarily driven by changes in otolith width, resulting in distinct morphologies. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of sagittal otoliths elucidated significant morphospace variation among species, with the first two PCs explaining 60.3% of the total variance. PC1 distinguished between elongated sagittal shapes (e.g., P. fuentesi) and robust sagittae (e.g., T. lutescens), while PC2 correlated with otolith roundness, delineating variations within species. Canonical variate analysis further highlighted differences in otolith shape, with significant variations detected among all species. The Discriminant function analysis showed high levels of discrimination accuracy for most of species pairs. Except for C. debueni-P. fuentesi (89%) and C. debueni-T. lutescens (96%), all other species pairs achieved 100% discrimination, highlighting the reliability of otolith shape as a distinguishing characteristic for the studied species. Overall, our findings emphasize the value of otolith shape analysis for characterizing and distinguishing Rapa Nui labrid species. This offers potential applications such as identifying prey within the digestive systems of large fish or bird predators in the vicinity of this isolated island in the South Pacific Ocean or archaeofauna studies.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2020

The Biogeography of Dromiciops in Southern South America: middle Miocene transgressions, speciation and associations with Nothofagus

AimSeveral geological events affecting Southern South America during the middle Miocene climatic optimum acted as important drivers of diversification to the biota. This is the case of Microbiotheria, for which Dromiciops is considered the sole surviving lineage, the sister group of Eomarsupialia (Australian marsupials). Three main Dromiciops genetic lineages are known, whose divergence was initially attributed to recent Pleistocene glaciations. Using fossil-calibrated dating on nuclear and mitochondrial genes, here we reevaluate this hypothesis and report an older (Miocenic) biogeographic history for the genus. LocationSouthern South America. MethodsPhylogenetic reconstruction using sequences from two mitochondrial DNA and four nuclear DNA genes in 159 specimens, from 31 sites across Chile and Argentina. Divergence time estimation using fossil calibration. ResultsOur phylogenetic analysis resolved four well supported clades with discrete geographic distributions. The oldest and most differentiated clade corresponds to that of the northern distribution (35.2{degrees}S to 39.3{degrees}S), which would be a different species (D. bozinovici, sensu Delia et al. 2016). According to our estimations, this species shared a common ancestor with D. gliroides (southern clades) about 13 million years ago (95% CI: 6.4-25.3). The southern clades (39.6{degrees}S to 42.0{degrees}S), showed a divergence time ranging from 9.57 to 6.5 Mya. Strong genetic structure was detected from north to south but not across the Andes, or between Chiloe island/ mainland. Demographic equilibrium is inferred to the northern clade, and recent demographic expansions was detected in the central and southern clades. Main conclusionsThe whole diversification of Dromiciops occurred within the Miocene, being the Middle Miocene transgression (MMT), the massive marine flooding that covered several lowlands of the western face of los Andes between 38-48{degrees} S, the most likely diversifying force. This was the result of an increase in global sea levels due to the Miocene climatic optimum, which shaped the biogeographic origin of several species, including Nothofagus forests, the habitat main of Dromiciops.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2019

An Out-of-Patagonia dispersal explains most of the worldwide genetic distribution in Saccharomyces eubayanus

Saccharomyces eubayanus represents missing cryotolerant ancestor of lager yeast hybrid and can be found in Patagonia in association with Nothofagus forests. The limited number of isolates and associated genomes available has prevented to resolve the S. eubayanus origin and evolution. Here, we present a sampling effort at an unprecedented scale and report the isolation of 160 strains from ten sampling sites along 2,000 km distance in South America. We sequenced the genome of 82 strains and, together with other 25 available genomes, performed comprehensive phylogenetic analysis. Our results revealed the presence of three main Patagonia-B lineages together with dozens of admixed strains distributed in three mosaic clusters. The PB-1 lineage isolated from Tierra del Fuego exhibited the highest genetic diversity, lowest LD blocks and highest Fis values compared to the other lineages, suggesting a successful adaptation to cold temperatures in extreme environments and greater inbreeding rates in Tierra del Fuego. Differences between lineages and strains were found in terms of aneuploidy and pangenome content, evidencing a lateral gene transfer event in PB-2 strains from an unknown donor species. Overall, the Patagonian lineages, particularly southern populations, showed a greater global genetic diversity compared to Holarctic and Chinese lineages, supporting the scenario of a S. eubayanus colonization from Patagonia and then spread towards northern and western regions, including the Holarctic (North America and China) and New Zealand. Interestingly, fermentative capacity and maltose consumption resulted negatively correlated with latitude, indicating a better fermentative performance in norther populations. Our genome analysis together with previous reports in the sister species S. uvarum strongly suggests that the S. eubayanus ancestor could have originated in Patagonia or the Southern Hemisphere, rather than China, yet further studies are needed to resolve this conflicting scenario. Understanding S. eubayanus evolutionary history is crucial to resolve the unknown origin of the lager yeast and might open new avenues for biotechnological applications.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2019

Demographic history of a remote ichthyofauna assemblage reveals common processes driving colonization and persistence in endemic coral reef fishes

Elucidating demographic history during the settlement of ecological communities is crucial for properly inferring the mechanisms that shape patterns of species diversity and their persistence through time. Here, we used genomic data and coalescent-based approaches to elucidate for the first time the demographic dynamics associated with the settlement by endemic reef fish fauna of one of the most remote peripheral islands of the Pacific Ocean, Rapa Nui (Easter Island). We compared the demographic history of nine endemic species in order to explore their demographic responses to Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. We found that Rapa Nui endemic species share a common demographic history as signatures of population expansions were retrieved for almost all of the species studied here, and synchronous demographic expansions initiated during the last glacial period were recovered for more than half of the studied species. These results suggest that eustatic fluctuations associated with Milankovitch cycles have played a central role in species demographic histories and in the final stage of the community assembly of many Rapa Nui reef fishes. Specifically, sea level low stands resulted in the maximum reef habitat extension for Rapa Nui endemic species; we discuss the potential role of seamounts in allowing endemic species to cope with Pleistocene climatic fluctuations, and we highlight the importance of local historical processes over regional ones. Overall, our results shed light on the mechanisms by which endemism arises and is maintained in peripheral reef fish fauna.

genomics↗