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Evolutionary dynamics of whole-body regeneration across planarian flatworms.
- Source :
-
Nature ecology & evolution [Nat Ecol Evol] 2023 Dec; Vol. 7 (12), pp. 2108-2124. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Oct 19. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Regenerative abilities vary dramatically across animals. Even amongst planarian flatworms, well-known for complete regeneration from tiny body fragments, some species have restricted regeneration abilities while others are almost entirely regeneration incompetent. Here, we assemble a diverse live collection of 40 planarian species to probe the evolution of head regeneration in the group. Combining quantification of species-specific head-regeneration abilities with a comprehensive transcriptome-based phylogeny reconstruction, we show multiple independent transitions between robust whole-body regeneration and restricted regeneration in freshwater species. RNA-mediated genetic interference inhibition of canonical Wnt signalling in RNA-mediated genetic interference-sensitive species bypassed all head-regeneration defects, suggesting that the Wnt pathway is linked to the emergence of planarian regeneration defects. Our finding that Wnt signalling has multiple roles in the reproductive system of the model species Schmidtea mediterranea raises the possibility that a trade-off between egg-laying, asexual reproduction by fission/regeneration and Wnt signalling drives regenerative trait evolution. Although quantitative comparisons of Wnt signalling levels, yolk content and reproductive strategy across our species collection remained inconclusive, they revealed divergent Wnt signalling roles in the reproductive system of planarians. Altogether, our study establishes planarians as a model taxon for comparative regeneration research and presents a framework for the mechanistic evolution of regenerative abilities.<br /> (© 2023. The Author(s).)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Transcriptome
Phylogeny
RNA
Planarians genetics
Planarians metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2397-334X
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature ecology & evolution
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37857891
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02221-7