Population genomics reveal genetic variants associated with lunar-regulated spawning time in grass puffer

Le résumé fourni par la source

High and low tides occur twice a day (every ~12.4 hours), with the largest tidal ranges during spring tides around new and full moons (every ~14.765 days). Although lunar cycles shape diverse animal phenotypes, particularly the reproduction of coastal animals, the genetic basis of lunar-related rhythms remains unclear. Since phenotypic variation is a valuable resource for elucidating such mechanisms, we examined geographic variation in the lunar-regulated mass spawning of the grass puffer (Takifugu alboplumbeus) along the Japanese coast. Western populations spawned during the first half of the spring tides, whereas eastern populations spawned during the second half. Furthermore, the spawning was restricted to a narrow daily time window that occurred earlier in the western populations than in the eastern ones. Assuming that spawning is regulated by circadian gating, this geographic shift in the daily spawning window could account for the population difference in semilunar spawning timing. Consistent with this hypothesis, the free-running circadian period (τ), which can affect the phase of the gating window, was shorter in the western populations. Mathematical modeling recapitulated the observed geographic difference in the spawning time window based on variation in τ. To identify candidate genes responsible for these differences, we conducted population genomics analysis and identified proline-rich transmembrane protein 1-like (prrt1l) as a candidate. Expression of prrt1l was observed in the circadian pacemaker suprachiasmatic nucleus, and triple CRISPR F0 knockout of prrt1l shortened the free-running period in larvae. These findings suggest a potential mechanism underlying the geographic variation in lunar-synchronized spawning behavior.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.