Find research datasets worth reusing

opencc-zeroJul 2023View details →

Data from: Phenotypic plasticity of antibiotic resistance, metabolism byproduct utilization and the evolution of mutually beneficial cooperation in Escherichia coli

Although tag-based donation and recognition have well explained how the cooperative individuals are positively assorted if the cooperative individuals possess some signals and are also able to detect such signals, an additional mechanism is required to explain why some individuals pay the costs of evolving such a tag that may not be rewarded subsequently, and how such tag-based cooperative individuals will meet other similar individuals with a very low mutation rate. Here, we show that many and even all Escherichia coli bacteria cells in the increased antibiotic concentration will plastically evolve to be antibiotic resistant individuals who could protect antibiotic sensitive strain from the attack of antibiotics, and the antibiotic resistant strain could reversibly evolve to be antibiotic sensitive in non-antibiotic supplement medium but in a harsher environment with low glucose. A further experiment showed that antibiotic-sensitive E. coli strain could in turn help reduce the concentration of indole produced by the resistant strain. This metabolic product is harmful to the growth of the antibiotic-resistant strain but benefits the antibiotic-sensitive strain by helping turn on the multi-drug exporter to discharge the antibiotic. The utilization of metabolism byproduct indole produced by antibiotic-resistant cells benefits antibiotic-sensitive cells, while the indole-absorbing service of antibiotic sensitive cells unconsciously help in nullifying the indole side effect on antibiotic resistant strain, and a mutual benefit cooperation could therefore evolve.

opencc-zeroJul 2023View details →

Data from: Phenotypic evolution of SARS-CoV-2: A statistical inference approach

Since its emergence in late 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread globally, causing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall of 2020, the Alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.7) was detected in England and spread rapidly, outcompeting the previous lineage. Yet, very little is known about the underlying modifications of the infection process that can explain this selective advantage. Here, we try to quantify how the Alpha variant differed from its predecessor on two phenotypic traits: the transmission rate and the duration of infectiousness. To this end, we analysed the joint epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics as a function of the Stringency Index, a measure of the amount of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions. Assuming that these control measures reduce contact rates and transmission, we developed a two-step approach based on SEIR models and the analysis of a combination of epidemiological and evolutionary information. First, we quantify the link between the Stringency Index and the reduction in viral transmission. Secondly, based on a novel theoretical derivation of the selection gradient in an SEIR model, we infer the phenotype of the Alpha variant from its frequency changes. We show that its selective advantage is more likely to result from a higher transmission than from a longer infectious period. Our work illustrates how the analysis of the joint epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics of infectious diseases can help understand the phenotypic evolution driving pathogen adaptation.

opencc-zeroJul 2023View details →

Phenotype images of the developing heart from wild type and Sox7 mutant mouse embryo

The cardiac endothelium influences ventricular chamber development by coordinating trabeculation and compaction. However, the endothelial-specific molecular mechanisms mediating this coordination are not fully understood. Here, we identified the Sox7 transcription factor as a critical cue instructing cardiac endothelium identity during ventricular chamber development. Endothelial-specific loss of Sox7 function in mice results in cardiac ventricular defects similar to non-compaction cardiomyopathy, with a change in the proportions of trabecular and compact cardiomyocytes in the mutant hearts. This phenotype is paralleled by abnormal coronary artery formation. Loss of Sox7 function disrupts the transcriptional regulation of the Notch pathway and connexins 37 and 40, which govern coronary arterial specification. Upon Sox7 endothelial-specific deletion, single-nuclei transcriptomics analysis identified the depletion of a subset of Sox9/Gpc3 positive endocardial progenitor cells and an increase in erythro-myeloid cell lineages. Fate mapping analysis revealed that a subset of Sox7-null endothelial cells transdifferentiate into hematopoietic but not cardiomyocyte lineages. Our findings determine that Sox7 maintains cardiac endothelial cell identity, which is crucial to the cellular cross-talk that drives ventricular compaction and coronary artery development.

opencc-by-4.0Jul 2023View details →

Genetic and phenotypic data of sexual cross

Genotypic and phenotypic data of offspring from a sexual cross of Aspergillus fumigatus strains AfIR974 and AfIR964. Genotypic data was obtained from Illumina whole genome sequencing off all progeny, and then filtered as described in Auxier et al. 2023. Phenotypic data consists of growth on different nitrogen sources (nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), and hypoxanthine (hx)), which can be used to map the cnx and nia mutations introduced into the two parents using UV mutagenesis. Growth of each offspring was also assessed on 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL of acriflavine as binary states of either growth or no growth. Additionally, the data from Stapley et al. 2017, https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0455, is presented in a more useful csv format, which was used in the publication of Auxier et al. 2023. Finally, data from Fernandes et al. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.171307811, was subsetted to include relevant species for comparison in Auxier et al. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.171307811

Data from: Phenotypic drought stress prediction of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) by genomic prediction and remote sensing

Current climate change species response models usually do not include evolution. We integrated remote sensing with population genomics to improve phenotypic response prediction to drought stress in the key forest tree species European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). We used whole-genome sequencing of pooled DNA from natural stands along an ecological gradient from humid-cold to warm-dry climate. We phenotyped stands for leaf area index (LAI) and moisture stress index (MSI) for the period 2016–2022. We predicted this data with matching meteorological data and a newly developed genomic population prediction score in a Generalised Linear Model. Model selection showed that the addition of genomic prediction decisively increased the explanatory power. We then predicted the response of beech to future climate change under evolutionary adaptation scenarios. A moderate climate change scenario would allow persistence of adapted beech forests, but not worst-case scenarios. Our approach can thus guide mitigation measures, such as allowing natural selection or proactive evolutionary management.

Data for Geographic variation in phenotypic divergence between two hybridizing field cricket species

Patterns of morphological divergence across species' ranges can provide insight into local adaptation and speciation. In this study, we compare phenotypic divergence among 4,221 crickets from 337 populations of two closely related species of field cricket, Gryllus firmus and G. pennsylvanicus and their hybrids. We find that these species differ across their geographic range in key morphological traits, such as body size and ovipositor length, and we directly compare phenotype with genotype for a subset of crickets to demonstrate nuclear genetic introgression, phenotypic intermediacy of hybrids, and essentially unidirectional mitochondrial introgression. We discuss how these morphological traits relate to life history differences between these two species. Our comparisons across geographic areas support prior research that suggested that cryptic variation within G. firmus may represent different species. Overall, our study highlights how variable morphology can be across wide ranging species, and the importance of studying reproductive barriers in more than one or two transects of a hybrid zone.

Data from: Freshwater fishes maintain multi-trait phenotypic stability across an environmental gradient in aqueous calcium

Reductions in a limiting nutrient might be expected to necessitate compromises in the functional traits that depend on that nutrient; yet populations existing in locations with low levels of such nutrients often do not show the expected degradation of functional traits. Indeed, we previously found that fish of three species, Logperch (Percina caprodes),Pumpkinseed Sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) residing in low-calcium water in the Upper St. Lawrence River nevertheless maintained levels of scale calcium comparable to those of conspecific populations in high-calcium water. However, it remains possible that the maintenance of one functional trait under nutrient-limited conditions could come at the expense of maintaining other functional traits that depend on that same nutrient. Hence, we here extend prior work by examining other calcium-dependent traits: skeletal element sizes and bone densities in the same fish species in the same area. Using radiographs of 101 fish from the three species across four locations (two in high-calcium water and two in low-calcium water), we document multi-trait "homeostasis" along the gradient of water calcium. That is, we did not detect any effect of calcium regime (low-calcium versus high-calcium) on any of the measured variables. Further, effect sizes for the skeletal traits were very low – lower even than effect sizes previously documented for scale calcium. Our results thus show that native fishes maintain phenotype stability across a suite of functional traits linked to calcium regulation, perhaps pointing to an "organismal-level homeostasis" scenario rather than a "trait-level homeostasis" scenario.

Investigating the effects of whole genome duplication on phenotypic plasticity: Implications for the invasion success of Giant Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)

Polyploidy commonly occurs in invasive species and phenotypic plasticity (PP, the ability to alter one's phenotype in different environments), is predicted to be enhanced in polyploids and contribute to their invasive success. However, empirical support that increased PP is frequent in polyploids and/or confers invasive success is limited. Here, we investigated if polyploids are more pre-adapted to become invasive than diploids via the scaling of trait values and PP with ploidy-level, and if post-introduction selection has led to a divergence in trait values and PP responses between native- and non-native cytotypes. We grew diploid, tetraploid (from both native North American and non-native European ranges), and hexaploid Solidago gigantea in pots outside with low, medium, and high soil nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) amendments, and measured traits related to growth, asexual reproduction, physiology, and insects/pathogen resistance. We found little evidence to suggest that polyploidy and post-selection shaped mean trait and PP responses. To examine invasion dynamics, we compared diploids to tetraploids (as their introduction into Europe was more likely), and found that tetraploids had greater pathogen resistance, photosynthetic capacities, and water-use efficiencies and generally performed better under NP enrichments. Furthermore, tetraploids invested more into roots than shoots in low NP and into shoots than roots in high NP and this resource strategy is beneficial under variable NP conditions. Lastly, native-tetraploids exhibited greater plasticity in biomass accumulation, clonal-ramet production and water-use efficiency. Cumulatively, tetraploid S. gigantea possesses traits that might have pre-disposed and enabled them to become successful invaders. Our findings highlight that trait expression and invasive species dynamics are nuance while also providing insight into the invasion success and cyto-geographic patterning of S. gigantea that can be broadly applied to other invasive species with polyploid complexes.

opencc-by-4.0Aug 2023View details →

Harnessing genotype-phenotype nonlinearity to accelerate biological prediction

Description: We are sharing phenotypic data sets used in the pub <a href="http://doi.org/10.57844/arcadia-5953-995f">“Harnessing genotype-phenotype nonlinearity to accelerate biological prediction”</a>. Contained within are a set of publicly available empirical phenotype data sets, synthetic phenotypes we generated, and the output of an autoencoder model trained on them. Walkthroughs for all analyses using these data are available on <a href="http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8371249">GitHub</a>. Files:  <ul> <li>“ail_cleaned_phenos.RDS”: .RDS file of mouse phenotypes from Bogue et al. 2015</li> <li>“all_autoencoder_phenotype_predictions.csv“: .csv file containing accuracy statistics for all phenotype-phenotype autoencoder models analyzed in the pub</li> <li>“arapheno_cleaned_phenos.RDS“: .RDS file of Arabidopsis phenotypes from Exposito-Alonso et al. 2019</li> <li>“autoencoder_phenos.zip“: directory of synthetic phenotype sets used to train the autoencoder models</li> <li>“dgrp_cleaned_phenos.RDS”: .RDS file of DGRP fruit fly phenotypes compiled from multiple sources, originally reported in Mackay et al. 2012</li> <li>“jax_cleaned_phenos.RDS”: .RDS file of mouse phenotypes from Gonzales et al. 2018</li> <li>“nematode_cleaned_phenos.RDS”: .RDS file of nematode phenotypes from Snoek et al. 2019</li> <li>“phen_pleio_int_01_0_1.pk”: pickle of all synthetic phenotypes analyzed in the pub</li> <li>“yeast_cleaned_phenos.RDS”: .RDS file of yeast phenotypes from Bloom et al. 2019</li> </ul> A full description of how the synthetic phenotypes and autoencoder predictions were generated is available in the associated <a href="http://doi.org/10.57844/arcadia-5953-995f">pub</a>.

Food quality shapes gradual phenotypic plasticity in ectotherms facing temperature variability

Organisms exhibit reversible physiological adjustments as a response to rapidly changing environments. Yet, such plasticity of the phenotype is gradual and may lag behind the environmental fluctuations, thereby affecting the long-term average performance of the organisms. By supplying energy and essential compounds for optimal tissue building, food determines the range of possible phenotypic changes and potentially the rate at which they occur. Here, we assess how differences in the dietary supply of essential lipids modulate the phenotypic plasticity of an ectotherm facing thermal fluctuations. We use three phytoplankton strains to create a gradient of polyunsaturated fatty acids and sterols supply for Daphnia magna under constant and fluctuating temperatures. We used three different fluctuation periodicities to unravel the temporal dynamics of gradual plasticity and its long-term consequences on D. magna performance measured as juvenile somatic growth rate. In agreement with gradual plasticity theory, we show that in D. magna, fluctuation periodicity determines the differential between observed growth rates and those expected from constant conditions. Most importantly, we show that diet modulates both the size and the direction of the growth rate differential. Overall, we demonstrate that the nutritional context is essential for predicting ectotherm consumers' performance in fluctuating thermal environments.

Heat-induced maternal effects shape avian eggshell traits and embryo development and phenotype at high incubation temperatures

Phenotypic plasticity is an important avenue by which organisms may persist in the face of rapid environmental change. Environmental cues experienced by the mother can also influence the phenotype of offspring, a form of plasticity called maternal effects. Maternal effects can adaptively prepare offspring for the environmental conditions they will experience, however, their ability to buffer offspring against environmental stressors as embryos is understudied. Using captive zebra finches, we performed a maternal-offspring environmental match-mismatch experiment utilizing a 2x2x2 factorial design. Mothers were exposed to a mild heat conditioning (38 °C) or control (22 °C) treatment as juveniles, an acute high heat (42 °C) or control (22 °C) treatment as adults, then paired for breeding. The eggs produced by those females were incubated at a hyperthermic (38.5 °C) or optimal temperature (37.2 °C). We found that when mothers were exposed to a mild heat conditioning as juveniles, their embryos exhibited reduced water loss, longer development times, and produced hatchlings with heavier pectoralis muscles when incubated at high incubation temperatures, compared to embryos from control mothers. Mothers exposed to both the mild heat conditioning as juveniles and a high heat stressor as adults produced eggs with a higher density of shell pores, and embryos with lower heart rates during development. However, there was a cost when there was a mismatch between maternal and embryo environment. Embryos from these conditioned and heat-stressed mothers had reduced survival at control incubation temperatures, indicating the importance of offspring environment when interpreting potential adaptive effects.

Phenotypic and genetic diversity data recorded in island and mainland populations worldwide

We used this dataset to assess the strength of isolation due to geographic and macroclimatic distance across island and mainland systems, comparing published measurements of phenotypic traits and neutral genetic diversity for populations of plants and animals worldwide. The dataset includes 112 studies of 108 species (72 animals and 36 plants) in 868 island populations and 760 mainland populations, with population-level taxonomic and biogeographic information, totalling 7438 records.

Data From: Effects of measurement methods and growing conditions on phenotypic expression of photosynthesis in seven diverse rice genotypes

Introduction: Light response curves are widely used to quantify phenotypic expression of photosynthesis by measuring a single sample and sequentially altering light intensity within a chamber (sequential method) or by measuring different samples that are each acclimated to a different light level (nonsequential method). Both methods are often conducted in controlled environments to achieve steady-state results, and neither method involves equilibrating the entire plant to the specific light level. Methods: Here, we compare sequential and non-sequential methods in controlled (greenhouse), semi-controlled (plant grown in growth chamber and acclimated to field conditions 2-3 days before measurements), and field environments. We selected seven diverse rice genotypes (five genotypes from the USDA rice minicore collection: 310588, 310723, 311644, 311677, 311795; and 2 additional genotypes: Nagina 22 and Zhe 733) to understand (1) the limitations of different methods, and (2) phenotypic plasticity of photosynthesis in rice grown under different environments. Results: Our results show that the non-sequential method was time-efficient and captured more variability of field conditions than the sequential method, but the model parameters were generally similar between the two methods except for the maximum photosynthesis rate (Amax). Amax was significantly lower across all genotypes under greenhouse conditions compared to the growth chamber and field conditions consistent with prior work, but surprisingly the apparent quantum yield (α) and the mitochondrial respiration (Rd) were generally not different among growing environments or measurement methods. Discussion: Our results suggest that field conditions are best suited to quantify phenotypic differences across different genotypes, and the nonsequential method was better at capturing the variability in photosynthesis.

Propagule phenotypic traits of Kandelia obovata and sampling sites information in China

Increasing studies have shown the importance of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) on the ecological process. However, the patterns and sources of ITV are still unclear, especially in the propagule of coastal vegetation. Here, we measured fresh weight (FW), fresh length (FL), maximum transverse diameter (TDmax), minimum transverse diameter (TDmin) and the ratio of TDmax to TDmin (RTD) of the hypocotyl (propagule) of Kandelia obovata for 66 genealogies across 26 sites. By combining multiple factors of climate, ocean and maternal tree to analyze their effects on the intraspecific trait variation of mangrove hypocotyl. The results showed that value of establishment traits (FW, FL, TDmax and TDmin which are related to mass) decreased along increasing latitudinal gradients and they were directly positively regulated by temperature. ITV of dispersal trait (RTD) was unstructured along latitudinal gradients, which was constrained by fitness tradeoff. Our findings indicate that establishment traits mainly varied between populations, whereas dispersal traits mainly varied between individuals. This study provides insights into the ITV of propagule in different functional dimensions on a broad scale and that may help integrate ITV into future analyses of mangrove protection.

opencc-by-4.0Sep 2023View details →

Pixelflow Seed Phenotyping Use Case Demo Data

Example 2D and 3D seed phenotyping data for pixelflow use case demo notebooks on the Scivision gallery. Contains original images (.tif) and associated segmented labels of each seed (.npy)

Extreme events, trophic chain reactions, and shifts in phenotypic selection

Demographic consequences of rapid environmental change and extreme climatic events (ECEs) can cascade across trophic levels with evolutionary implications that have rarely been explored. Here, we show how an ECE in high Arctic Svalbard triggered a trophic chain reaction, directly or indirectly affecting the demography of both overwintering and migratory vertebrates, ultimately inducing a shift in density-dependent phenotypic selection in migratory geese. A record-breaking rain-on-snow event and ice-locked pastures led to reindeer mass starvation and a population crash, followed by a period of low mortality and population recovery. This caused lagged, long-lasting reductions in reindeer carrion numbers and resultant low abundances of Arctic foxes, a scavenger on reindeer and predator of migratory birds. The associated decrease in Arctic fox predation of goose offspring allowed for a rapid increase in barnacle goose densities. As expected according to r- and K-selection theory, the goose body condition (affecting reproduction and post-fledging survival) maximising Malthusian fitness increased with this shift in population density. Thus, the winter ECE acting on reindeer and their scavenger, the Arctic fox, indirectly selected for higher body condition in migratory geese. This high Arctic study provides rare empirical evidence of links between ECEs, community dynamics and evolution, with implications for our understanding of indirect eco-evolutionary impacts of global change.

Supergene genotypes and associated phenotypes in Formica cinerea samples

Antagonistic selection has long been considered a major driver of the formation and expansion of sex chromosomes. For example, sexually antagonistic variation on an autosome can select for suppressed recombination between that autosome and the sex chromosome, leading to a neo-sex chromosome. Autosomal supergenes, chromosomal regions containing tightly linked variants affecting the same complex trait, share similarities with sex chromosomes, raising the possibility that sex chromosome evolution models can explain the evolution of genome structure and recombination in other contexts. We tested this premise in a Formica ant species wherein we identified four supergene haplotypes on chromosome 3 underlying colony social organization and sex ratio. We discovered a novel rearranged supergene variant (9r) on chromosome 9 underlying queen miniaturization. The 9r is in strong linkage disequilibrium with one chromosome 3 haplotype (P2) found in multi-queen (polygyne) colonies. We suggest that queen miniaturization is strongly disfavored in the single queen (monogyne) background, and thus socially antagonistic. As such, divergent selection experienced by ants living in alternative social 'environments' (monogyne and polygyne) may have contributed to the emergence of a genetic polymorphism on chromosome 9 and associated queen-size dimorphism. Consequently, an ancestral polygyne-associated haplotype may have expanded to include the polymorphism on chromosome 9, resulting in a larger region of suppressed recombination spanning two chromosomes. This process is analogous to the formation of neo-sex chromosomes and consistent with models of expanding regions of suppressed recombination. We propose that miniaturized queens, 16-20% smaller than queens without 9r, could be incipient intraspecific social parasites.

Soil composition, phenotypic and genetic data to: Adaptive differentiation on serpentine soil in diploid versus autotetraploid populations of Biscutella laevigata (Brassicaceae)

Serpentine soils exhibit extreme properties (e.g. high magnesium content) influencing plant growth and survival and have been repeatedly documented to promote adaptive edaphic differentiation in plants. Individuals from four pairs of nearby diploid and autotetraploid populations of Biscutella laevigata sampled on serpentine vs non-serpentine soils in a factorial design are used to assess the genetic and phenotypic changes associated with edaphic origin and ploidy level. Individual samples from natural populations were subjected to soil elemental analysis and genotyping using restriction site-associated DNA sequences (RAD-seq) to link genetic variation with contrasting soils and ploidy levels. In diploids, genetic variation was consistent with demographic contraction and a pattern of isolation by environment with respect to the ratio of calcium / magnesium concentrations, whereas tetraploids presented evidence of expansion with limited edaphic differentiation. The genetic basis of tolerance and adaptation to serpentine was further assessed experimentally on seed-grown individuals from all populations subjected to high (serpentine-like) vs low (control) concentrations of magnesium in hydropony. Fitness-related phenotypic traits under experimental cultivation were consistent with adaptive differentiation among diploid ecotypes but not among the tetraploids that similarly grow in both habitats and consistently present higher investment in roots. Further work comparing experimentally resynthesized polyploids to natural diploids and polyploids has to tease the role of whole genome duplication apart from the impact of post-polyploidy evolution.

opencc-by-4.0Aug 2023View details →

MIMOSA: A resource consisting of improved methylome imputation models increases power to identify CpG site-phenotype associations

MIMOSA DNA methylation prediction models, set up for MWAS.  To run MWAS with this resource, see the tutorial here: <a href="https://github.com/ChongWuLab/MIMOSA">https://github.com/ChongWuLab/MIMOSA</a>