Genomic and functional insights into dietary diversification in New World leaf‐nosed bats (Phyllostomidae)

Genomic and functional insights into dietary diversification in New World leaf‐nosed bats (Phyllostomidae)

The most significant driver of adaptive radiation in the New World leaf‐nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) is their remarkably diverse feeding habits, yet there remains a notable scarcity of studies addressing the genetic underpinnings of dietary diversification in this family. In this study, we have assem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of systematics and evolution : JSE Vol. 62; no. 5; pp. 928 - 941
Main Authors: Xu, Yiran, Li, Yingcan, Hu, Huiqiao, Jiao, Hengwu, Zhao, Huabin
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Beijing Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-09-2024
Subjects:
Adaptive radiation
Bats
Bitter taste
Carbohydrates
Cirrhosis
dietary diversification
Digestion
Divergence
Diversification
evolutionary genomics
Genes
Genetic analysis
Genetic diversity
Genomes
Genomic analysis
Genomics
Leaves
Metabolism
Nutrients
Phyllostomidae
Steering
Taste
Taste receptors
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Summary:The most significant driver of adaptive radiation in the New World leaf‐nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) is their remarkably diverse feeding habits, yet there remains a notable scarcity of studies addressing the genetic underpinnings of dietary diversification in this family. In this study, we have assembled a new genome for a representative species of phyllostomid bat, the fringe‐lipped bat (Trachops cirrhosis), and integrated it with eight published phyllostomid genomes, along with an additional 10 genomes of other bat species. Comparative genomic analysis across 10 200 orthologus genes has unveiled that those genes subject to divergent selection within the Phyllostomidae clade are notably enriched in metabolism‐related pathways. Furthermore, we identified molecular signatures of divergent selection in the bitter receptor gene Tas2r1, as well as 14 genes involved in digesting key nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In addition, our cell‐based functional assays conducted on Tas2r1 showed a broader spectrum of perception for bitter compounds in phyllostomids compared to nonphyllostomid bats, suggesting functional diversification of bitter taste in Phyllostomidae. Together, our genomic and functional analyses lead us to propose that divergent selection of genes associated with taste, digestion and absorption, and metabolism assumes a pivotal role in steering the extreme dietary diversification in Phyllostomidae. This study not only illuminates the genetic mechanisms underlying dietary adaptations in Phyllostomidae bats but also enhances our understanding of their extraordinary adaptive radiation. Genes associated with taste, digestive system, and metabolism underlie the evolution of dietary diversification in New World leaf‐nosed bats.
Bibliography:These authors contributed equally to this work.
ISSN:1674-4918
1759-6831
DOI:10.1111/jse.13059