image: This is a nonmonogamous strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio). view more
Credit: Yusan Yang (University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh)
A study suggests a putative gene-expression hallmark common to monogamous male vertebrates of some species. Monogamy in vertebrates is thought to have evolved multiple times and marked by pair bonding, heightened territoriality, and offspring care by both parents. However, the neural and molecular basis of monogamy remain unclear. Rebecca Young, Hans Hofmann, and colleagues compared gene expression profiles in forebrain and midbrain tissues in monogamous and nonmonogamous reproductive-age males of 10 species from five evolutionary subgroups, or clades, of vertebrates--cichlid fishes, dendrobatid frogs, passeroid songbirds, common voles, and deer mice. Each of the clades harbors both monogamous and nonmonogamous species. Across the clades, the authors identified common gene expression signatures potentially associated with monogamy, including 24 candidate genes. In monogamous males, genes implicated in neural development, synaptic activity, learning, memory, and cognitive function exhibited heightened expression, whereas genes implicated in gene expression were downregulated, suggesting enhanced neural plasticity in the face of tight gene regulation in monogamous males. Genes with heightened or reduced expression in monogamous males of one clade also showed correspondingly heightened or reduced expression in monogamous males of the other clade. Together, the findings suggest a common putative gene expression signature of monogamy in some vertebrate species, according to the authors.
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Article #18-13775: "Conserved transcriptomic profiles underpin monogamy across vertebrates," by Rebecca Young et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Hofmann, University of Texas at Austin, TX; e-mail: hans@utexas.edu
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences