Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Deep Diversity: Extensive Variation in the Components of Complex Visual Systems across Animals

Version 1 : Received: 28 September 2022 / Approved: 28 September 2022 / Online: 28 September 2022 (05:12:35 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Vöcking, O.; Macias-Muñoz, A.; Jaeger, S.J.; Oakley, T.H. Deep Diversity: Extensive Variation in the Components of Complex Visual Systems across Animals. Cells 2022, 11, 3966. Vöcking, O.; Macias-Muñoz, A.; Jaeger, S.J.; Oakley, T.H. Deep Diversity: Extensive Variation in the Components of Complex Visual Systems across Animals. Cells 2022, 11, 3966.

Abstract

Understanding the molecular underpinnings of the evolution of complex (multi-part) systems is a fundamental topic in biology. One unanswered question is the extent to which similar or different genes and regulatory interactions underlie similar complex systems across species. Animal eyes and phototransduction (light detection) are outstanding systems to investigate this question because some of the genetics underlying these traits are well-characterized in model organisms. However, comparative studies using non-model organisms are also necessary to understand the diversity and evolution of these traits. Here, we compare the characteristics of photoreceptor cells, opsins, and phototransduction cascades in diverse taxa, with particular focus on cnidarians. In contrast to the common theme of deep homology, whereby similar traits develop mainly using homologous genes, comparisons of visual systems - especially in non-model organisms - are beginning to highlight a “deep diversity” of underlying components, illustrating how variation can underlie similar complex systems across taxa. Although using candidate genes from model organisms across diversity was a good starting point to understand the evolution of complex systems, unbiased genome-wide comparisons and subsequent functional validation will be necessary to uncover unique genes that comprise complex systems of non-model groups to better understand biodiversity and its evolution.

Keywords

eye evolution; opsin; photoreceptor; phototransduction; visual cycle

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Biology and Biotechnology

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.