Variation in pigmentation gene expression is associated with distinct aposematic color morphs in the poison frog Dendrobates auratus

Adam M M Stuckert,Ian Davison,Emily Moore,Kyle Summers,Matthew D Macmanes,Reade Roberts,Kaitlin P Coyle

doi:10.1186/s12862-019-1410-7

Abstract

BackgroundColor and pattern phenotypes have clear implications for survival and reproduction in many species. However, the mechanisms that produce this coloration are still poorly characterized, especially at the genomic level. Here we have taken a transcriptomics-based approach to elucidate the underlying genetic mechanisms affecting color and pattern in a highly polytypic poison frog. We sequenced RNA from the skin from four different color morphs during the final stage of metamorphosis and assembled a de novo transcriptome. We then investigated differential gene expression, with an emphasis on examining candidate color genes from other taxa.ResultsOverall, we found differential expression of a suite of genes that control melanogenesis, melanocyte differentiation, and melanocyte proliferation (e.g., tyrp1, lef1, leo1, and mitf) as well as several differentially expressed genes involved in purine synthesis and iridophore development (e.g., arfgap1, arfgap2, airc, and gart).ConclusionsOur results provide evidence that several gene networks known to affect color and pattern in vertebrates play a role in color and pattern variation in this species of poison frog.

Highlights

Color and pattern phenotypes have clear implications for survival and reproduction in many species
In order to better understand the genetic mechanisms affecting the development of color and pattern, we examined four different captive bred color morphs of the green-and-black poison frog (Dendrobates auratus)
By combining analyses of differential expression with a targeted search based on an extensive list of candidate genes for developmental control of coloration, we identified multiple genes that

Summary

Introduction

Color and pattern phenotypes have clear implications for survival and reproduction in many species. We have taken a transcriptomics-based approach to elucidate the underlying genetic mechanisms affecting color and pattern in a highly polytypic poison frog. Color and pattern phenotypes have long been of interest to both naturalists and evolutionary biologists [1, 2]. Part of this interest derives from the association of this phenome with selective pressures such as mate choice [3] and predation [4].

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Conclusion