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Evolution and Ecology of Soil Invertebrates
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Evolution and Ecology of Soil Invertebrates

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 February 2022) | Viewed by 7766

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Nico M. Van Straalen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Ecological Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: evolution; molecular ecology; ecological genomics; zoology; toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Invertebrates living in the soil experience a selection regime different from animals living aboveground or in the water. The physical conditions in the soil, including the strong gradients of pore space, moisture and temperature, and possibly relaxed predation pressure, create an environment different from any aboveground ecosystem. It is therefore likely that the study of soil invertebrate adaptations can contribute to evolutionary science with ideas that do not easily emerge when focusing on common systems of study.

The adaptive responses of soil invertebrates (earthworms, potworms, nematodes, land snails, flatworms, insects, springtails, mites, spiders, woodlice, etc.) have been described up to now mostly in morphological terms and for some species also in terms of physiology. Molecular analysis of these adaptations is lagging greatly behind since few soil invertebrates were model species in the beginning of the genomics revolution. This Special Issue of Genes is calling from the field high-quality papers with recent work that can contribute to filling this gap. Suggested topics include but are not limited to:

  • Phylogenetic reconstruction of soil invertebrate adaptation;
  • Evolution of parthenogenesis and reproductive strategies;
  • Mechanisms of cold hardiness and drought tolerance in relation to the soil profile;
  • Genomic signatures of soil life, relative to aquatic or terrestrial life;
  • Interactions between invertebrates and microbial agents, as well as horizontal gene transfer;
  • Defense against microbial pathogens affecting soil invertebrates;
  • Stress responses in relation to soil contaminants or disturbance.

Prof. Dr. Nico M. Van Straalen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • soil invertebrates
  • evolution
  • adaptation
  • genomics
  • stress
  • microbial interactions

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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11 pages, 1440 KiB  
Article
A Functional Carbohydrate Degrading Enzyme Potentially Acquired by Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Genome of the Soil Invertebrate Folsomia candida
by Ngoc Giang Le, Peter van Ulsen, Rob van Spanning, Abraham Brouwer, Nico M. van Straalen and Dick Roelofs
Genes 2022, 13(8), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13081402 - 7 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2520
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is defined as the acquisition by an organism of hereditary material from a phylogenetically unrelated organism. This process is mostly observed among bacteria and archaea, and considered less likely between microbes and multicellular eukaryotes. However, recent studies provide compelling [...] Read more.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is defined as the acquisition by an organism of hereditary material from a phylogenetically unrelated organism. This process is mostly observed among bacteria and archaea, and considered less likely between microbes and multicellular eukaryotes. However, recent studies provide compelling evidence of the evolutionary importance of HGT in eukaryotes, driving functional innovation. Here, we study an HGT event in Folsomia candida (Collembola, Hexapoda) of a carbohydrate-active enzyme homologous to glycosyl hydrase group 43 (GH43). The gene encodes an N-terminal signal peptide, targeting the product for excretion, which suggests that it contributes to the diversity of digestive capacities of the detritivore host. The predicted α-L-arabinofuranosidase shows high similarity to genes in two other Collembola, an insect and a tardigrade. The gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli using a cell-free protein expression system. The expressed protein showed activity against p-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside. Our work provides evidence for functional activity of an HGT gene in a soil-living detritivore, most likely from a bacterial donor, with genuine eukaryotic properties, such as a signal peptide. Co-evolution of metazoan GH43 genes with the Panarthropoda phylogeny suggests the HGT event took place early in the evolution of this ecdysozoan lineage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution and Ecology of Soil Invertebrates)
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11 pages, 1660 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Life-Time Exposure of Arsenic, Cadmium and Fluoranthene on the Earthworms’ L. rubellus Global DNA Methylation as Detected by msAFLP
by Ilze Rasnaca, Peter Kille, Lindsay K. Newbold and David J. Spurgeon
Genes 2022, 13(5), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13050770 - 26 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2226
Abstract
This study reports on the effects of long-term exposure to the metals arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene on the survival, growth, development and DNA methylation status of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus. Exposures to the three chemicals were [...] Read more.
This study reports on the effects of long-term exposure to the metals arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene on the survival, growth, development and DNA methylation status of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus. Exposures to the three chemicals were conducted over their whole juvenile developmental period from egg to adult. Significant effects on one or more measured endpoints were found for all three chemicals. Arsenic had no effect on survival, but had a significant effect on growth rates at concentrations of 36 mg/kg or higher and also slowed the rate of maturation. Cadmium significantly reduced juvenile survival at 500 mg/kg, juvenile growth at 148 mg/kg and maturation rates at all tested concentrations. Fluoranthene had no effect on survival or the developmental period, but did significantly reduce growth rates at 800 mg/kg. Effects at these concentrations are consistent with the known effects of these three chemicals on earthworms from previous studies conducted mainly with Eisenia fetida. Both As and Cd had no effect on DNA methylation patterning in earthworms measured at the end of the exposure. Fluoranthene was shown, for the first time. to have an effect on a species’ DNA methylation levels. These results suggest that apical phenotypic changes for As and Cd are not necessarily associated with changes in DNA methylation profiles. However, exposure to the organic chemical fluoranthene influenced DNA methylation patterns, suggesting wider remodelling of the epigenome for this chemical. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution and Ecology of Soil Invertebrates)
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15 pages, 3529 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Conservation Status of a North-Western Iberian Earthworm (Compostelandrilus cyaneus) with Insight into Its Genetic Diversity and Ecological Preferences
by Daniel F. Marchán and Jorge Domínguez
Genes 2022, 13(2), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13020337 - 11 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2224
Abstract
In spite of the high conservation value of soil fauna, the evaluation of their conservation status has usually been neglected. This is more evident for earthworms, one of the most important ecosystem service providers in temperate habitats but rarely the subject of conservation [...] Read more.
In spite of the high conservation value of soil fauna, the evaluation of their conservation status has usually been neglected. This is more evident for earthworms, one of the most important ecosystem service providers in temperate habitats but rarely the subject of conservation research. These studies have not been developed in Western Europe, which comprises high diversity and several early-branching, relic genera. One potentially menaced representative of this fauna is Compostelandrilus cyaneus; this risk can be assessed by implementing potential distribution modeling and genetic diversity monitoring to their known populations. Genetic barcoding was performed in representatives of four populations (three of them newly sampled) in order to estimate genetic diversity and population genetics parameters. Ensemble species distribution models were built by combining several algorithms and using the five more relevant bioclimatic and soil variables as predictors. A large amount of genetic diversity was found in a small area of less than 20 km2, with populations located in less managed, better-preserved habitats showing higher genetic variability than populations isolated from natural habitats and surrounded by anthropic habitats. Potential distribution appears to be strongly restricted at a regional scale, and suitable habitats within the extent of occurrence appear fragmented and relatively limited. In addition, the main variables determining the ecological niche of C. cyaneus suggests a vulnerability to climate change and increasing soil compaction. Based on this knowledge, this species was assessed as Critically Endangered following the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species criteria, and some potential conservation actions are suggested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution and Ecology of Soil Invertebrates)
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