Transcriptomic analysis of cave, surface, and hybrid samples of the isopod Asellus aquaticus and identification of chromosomal location of candidate genes for cave phenotype evolution

Researchers have identified candidate genes linked to the evolution of cave-specific traits in the isopod Asellus aquaticus, including reduced pigmentation and eye size, by analyzing transcriptomes from surface-dwelling and cave populations. Using a combination of Illumina short-read sequencing and PacBio long-read Iso-seq, they mapped differential gene expression during embryonic development and in hybrid offspring. Key findings include genes involved in phototransduction and ommochrome synthesis being downregulated in cave samples, while allele-specific expression analysis revealed genes with bias toward either surface or cave phenotypes. The study also pinpointed the chromosomal locations of these candidate genes, providing a roadmap for future functional analyses to unravel the genetic basis of cave adaptation.

Lomheim, H. J., Reyes Rodas, L., Mulla, L., Freeborn, L., Sun, D. A., Sanders, S. A., & Protas, M. E. (2023). Transcriptomic analysis of cave, surface, and hybrid samples of the isopod Asellus aquaticus and identification of chromosomal location of candidate genes for cave phenotype evolution. EvoDevo, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13227-023-00213-z