Han Yang, Bin Lyu, Hai-Qiang Yin, Shu-Qiang Li. 2021: Comparative transcriptomics highlights convergent evolution of energy metabolic pathways in group-living spiders. Zoological Research, 42(2): 195-206. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.281
Citation: Han Yang, Bin Lyu, Hai-Qiang Yin, Shu-Qiang Li. 2021: Comparative transcriptomics highlights convergent evolution of energy metabolic pathways in group-living spiders. Zoological Research, 42(2): 195-206. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.281

Comparative transcriptomics highlights convergent evolution of energy metabolic pathways in group-living spiders

  • Although widely thought to be aggressive, solitary, and potentially cannibalistic, some spider species have evolved group-living behaviors. The distinct transition provides the framework to uncover group-living evolution. Here, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic study and examined patterns of molecular evolution in two independently evolved group-living spiders and twelve solitary species. We report that positively selected genes among group-living spider lineages are significantly enriched in nutrient metabolism and autophagy pathways. We also show that nutrient-related genes of group-living spiders convergently experience amino acid substitutions and accelerated relative evolutionary rates. These results indicate adaptive convergence of nutrient metabolism that may ensure energy supply in group-living spiders. The decelerated evolutionary rate of autophagy-related genes in group-living lineages is consistent with an increased constraint on energy homeostasis as would be required in a group-living environment. Together, the results show that energy metabolic pathways play an important role in the transition to group-living in spiders.
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