2019
Complex interplay of evolutionary forces shaping population genomic structure of invasive Aedes albopictus in southern Europe
Pichler V, Kotsakiozi P, Caputo B, Serini P, Caccone A, della Torre A. Complex interplay of evolutionary forces shaping population genomic structure of invasive Aedes albopictus in southern Europe. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2019, 13: e0007554. PMID: 31437154, PMCID: PMC6705758, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007554.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDouble digest Restriction-site Associated DNAHistorical contextMultiple independent invasionsSouth East AsiaRestriction-site Associated DNAPopulation genomic structureInvasive Aedes albopictusInvasion historyWorldwide expansionSouthern EuropeFirst countryHistoryAnimal invasionsItalyEuropeAlbaniaSuccessful historyRecent invasionMigration patternsHuman arbovirusesComplex interplayMultiple geographic locationsIndependent invasionsColonistsInvasive range
2017
Self-righting potential and the evolution of shell shape in Galápagos tortoises
Chiari Y, van der Meijden A, Caccone A, Claude J, Gilles B. Self-righting potential and the evolution of shell shape in Galápagos tortoises. Scientific Reports 2017, 7: 15828. PMID: 29192279, PMCID: PMC5709378, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15787-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimal ShellsAnimalsBiological EvolutionBiomechanical PhenomenaFemaleMaleMovementTurtles
2016
Potential arms race in the coevolution of primates and angiosperms: brazzein sweet proteins and gorilla taste receptors
Guevara EE, Veilleux CC, Saltonstall K, Caccone A, Mundy NI, Bradley BJ. Potential arms race in the coevolution of primates and angiosperms: brazzein sweet proteins and gorilla taste receptors. American Journal Of Biological Anthropology 2016, 161: 181-185. PMID: 27393125, DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23046.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnthropology, PhysicalBiological EvolutionGorilla gorillaHumansMagnoliopsidaPlant ProteinsPrimatesReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledSeed DispersalTasteConceptsSweet proteinNew sequence dataAmino acid sitesSeed dispersersProtein evolutionAccelerated evolutionBiochemical mimicryPrimate lineageGorilla lineagePositive selectionSequence dataGorilla dietCaloric gainArms raceWestern gorillasBrazzeinAfrican primatesProteinLineagesCoevolutionPentadiplandra brazzeanaLocal plantsSpeciesSweet signalsMutationsEcological and evolutionary influences on body size and shape in the Galápagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
Chiari Y, Glaberman S, Tarroso P, Caccone A, Claude J. Ecological and evolutionary influences on body size and shape in the Galápagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Oecologia 2016, 181: 885-894. PMID: 27041683, DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3618-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGalápagos marine iguanasMarine iguanasEvolutionary historyBody sizeGenetic adaptationBody size variationSexual dimorphismHigh morphological diversityStrong sexual dimorphismContribution of plasticityShape variationPhylogeographic patternsMultiple colonizationsEndemic speciesLocal adaptationEvolutionary changeMorphological diversityEvolutionary influencesDistribution rangeOceanic islandsSource populationIguanasEnvironmental conditionsSize variationMorphological measurements
2015
Description of a New Galapagos Giant Tortoise Species (Chelonoidis; Testudines: Testudinidae) from Cerro Fatal on Santa Cruz Island
Poulakakis N, Edwards D, Chiari Y, Garrick R, Russello M, Benavides E, Watkins-Colwell G, Glaberman S, Tapia W, Gibbs J, Cayot L, Caccone A. Description of a New Galapagos Giant Tortoise Species (Chelonoidis; Testudines: Testudinidae) from Cerro Fatal on Santa Cruz Island. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0138779. PMID: 26488886, PMCID: PMC4619298, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138779.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultiple independent evolutionary lineagesGiant tortoise speciesIndependent evolutionary lineagesCompelling genetic evidenceGalapagos tortoisesRank of speciesSanta Cruz IslandGenetic distinctivenessAnalysis of DNAEvolutionary lineagesEvolutionary relationshipsNatural populationsDNA charactersDistinct lineagesIsland of originTaxonomic revisionMorphological charactersMuseum specimensNew speciesGenetic evidenceTortoise speciesLineagesSpeciesTortoisesType specimen
2011
Unravelling the peculiarities of island life: vicariance, dispersal and the diversification of the extinct and extant giant Galápagos tortoises
POULAKAKIS N, RUSSELLO M, GEIST D, CACCONE A. Unravelling the peculiarities of island life: vicariance, dispersal and the diversification of the extinct and extant giant Galápagos tortoises. Molecular Ecology 2011, 21: 160-173. PMID: 22098061, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05370.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGiant Galápagos tortoisesHuman-mediated dispersal eventsVicariant eventsGalápagos tortoisesMainland South AmericaHuman activitiesIndependent evolutionary unitsAvailable geological dataSimple linear trendRecent human activitiesIsland lifeEvolutionary unitsEndangered taxaColonization eventsExtant speciesDispersal eventsEvolutionary historyGeological dataMultiple colonizationsExtinct speciesOcean islandsDNA dataOlder islandsYounger islandsOceanic islands
2006
Ancient DNA forces reconsideration of evolutionary history of Mediterranean pygmy elephantids
Poulakakis N, Parmakelis A, Lymberakis P, Mylonas M, Zouros E, Reese D, Glaberman S, Caccone A. Ancient DNA forces reconsideration of evolutionary history of Mediterranean pygmy elephantids. Biology Letters 2006, 2: 451-454. PMID: 17148428, PMCID: PMC1686204, DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2006.0467.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEvolutionary historyDNA sequencesAncient DNA studiesDNA fragmentsMultiple displacement amplification (MDA) methodPygmy mammothsIndependent historyShort DNA sequencesB-DNA fragmentEastern MediterraneanMediterranean islandsPhylogenetic analysisMolecular dataMainland samplesCretan sampleDNA studiesHistoryElephantidsDiagnostic sitesElephasPrevailing viewIslandsMammothsMammuthusSequenceGiant tortoises
Powell J, Caccone A. Giant tortoises. Current Biology 2006, 16: r144-r145. PMID: 16527726, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2006.02.050.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2004
Giant tortoises are not so slow: Rapid diversification and biogeographic consensus in the Galápagos
Beheregaray L, Gibbs J, Havill N, Fritts T, Powell J, Caccone A. Giant tortoises are not so slow: Rapid diversification and biogeographic consensus in the Galápagos. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2004, 101: 6514-6519. PMID: 15084743, PMCID: PMC404076, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0400393101.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBiological EvolutionDNA, MitochondrialEcuadorGenetic VariationGeographyHaplotypesMolecular Sequence DataSpecies SpecificityTurtlesConceptsGiant Galápagos tortoisesGalápagos tortoisesGreat natural laboratoryGenetic variationDivergent monophyletic cladesHistory of diversificationIsolated oceanic archipelagoPatterns of colonizationBiogeographic predictionsEvolutionary diversificationGene flowEndemic haplotypesExtant populationsLimited dispersalOceanic archipelagosBiogeographic patternsEvolutionary eventsBiological diversificationMonophyletic cladeMtDNA sequencesRapid diversificationGenetic interchangeRange expansionOlder islandsGiant tortoises
2003
Analysis of a Shift in Codon Usage in Drosophila
Powell JR, Sezzi E, Moriyama EN, Gleason JM, Caccone A. Analysis of a Shift in Codon Usage in Drosophila. Journal Of Molecular Evolution 2003, 57: s214-s225. PMID: 15008418, DOI: 10.1007/s00239-003-0030-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino AcidsAnimalsBiological EvolutionCodonDrosophilaIntronsMolecular Sequence DataMutationPhylogenyRNA, TransferConceptsCodon usageD. melanogasterMutation biasSaltans species groupAmino acidsFour-fold degenerate sitesRelaxed selectionD. willistoniExtant speciesDrosophila willistoniSpecies groupsPosttranscriptional modificationsWobble positionDegenerate sitesFrozen accidentWillistoniLineagesRelative abundanceMelanogasterSpeciesTRNAGenesC compositionFurther insightDrosophila
2002
Speciation Within Anopheles gambiae-- the Glass Is Half Full
della Torre A, Costantini C, Besansky N, Caccone A, Petrarca V, Powell J, Coluzzi M. Speciation Within Anopheles gambiae-- the Glass Is Half Full. Science 2002, 298: 115-117. PMID: 12364784, DOI: 10.1126/science.1078170.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptation, PhysiologicalAfrica South of the SaharaAllelesAnimalsAnophelesBiological EvolutionChromosome InversionChromosomesDNA, RibosomalEcosystemEnvironmentFeeding BehaviorGenetic VariationGenetics, PopulationGenomeHuman ActivitiesHumansInsect Bites and StingsInsect VectorsMalariaMicrosatellite RepeatsReproductionSequence Analysis, DNAThe evolutionary origin of Indian Ocean tortoises (Dipsochelys)
Palkovacs E, Gerlach J, Caccone A. The evolutionary origin of Indian Ocean tortoises (Dipsochelys). Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution 2002, 24: 216-227. PMID: 12144758, DOI: 10.1016/s1055-7903(02)00211-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBayes TheoremBiological EvolutionCytochrome b GroupDNA, MitochondrialGenetic VariationIndian OceanMadagascarPhylogenyRNA, Ribosomal, 16STurtlesConceptsWestern Indian Ocean islandsGiant tortoisesIndian Ocean islandsIndian Ocean giant tortoisesIndian OceanCyt b geneDNA substitution ratesOcean islandsShort generation timeSmall body sizeSource of colonizationMalagasy lineagesEvolutionary originWestern Indian OceanWild populationsMitochondrial DNAPhylogenetic analysisSequence evolutionB geneSubstitution ratesBody sizeOcean currentsEast coastGeneration timeTortoises
2001
MOLECULAR BIOGEOGRAPHY OF CAVE LIFE: A STUDY USING MITOCHONDRIAL DNA FROM BATHYSCIINE BEETLES
Caccone A, Sbordon V. MOLECULAR BIOGEOGRAPHY OF CAVE LIFE: A STUDY USING MITOCHONDRIAL DNA FROM BATHYSCIINE BEETLES. Evolution 2001, 55: 122-130. PMID: 11263733, DOI: 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2001.tb01278.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBiological EvolutionColeopteraDNA, MitochondrialElectron Transport Complex IVEnvironmentGeographyPhylogenyConceptsCave lifeCytochrome oxidase I regionLoss of traitsSimilar disjunct distributionsDistinct species assemblagesCave-dwelling beetlesCave adaptationMolecular biogeographyPhylogenetic relationshipsDisjunct distributionSister taxaSpecies assemblagesMitochondrial DNAEvolutionary acquisitionDNA sequencesFirst such estimatesCommon descentSpeciesBeetlesAssemblagesI regionSimilar morphologyGeological historyBiogeographyInsects
1990
Extreme rates and heterogeneity in insect DNA evolution
Caccone A, Powell J. Extreme rates and heterogeneity in insect DNA evolution. Journal Of Molecular Evolution 1990, 30: 273-280. PMID: 2109089, DOI: 10.1007/bf02099997.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBiological EvolutionDNADrosophilaHybridization, GeneticInsectaNucleic Acid HybridizationConceptsSingle-copy DNA divergenceDNA-DNA hybridization studiesSingle-copy DNAInsect genomesGenome evolutionDNA divergenceNuclear genomeDNA evolutionEvolutionary changeChromosomal similaritiesInterspecific hybridsMost vertebratesMorphological similarityGenomeIntronsHybridization studiesInsectsMammalsBirdsDNAExtreme variationVertebratesTaxaExonsSimilarityThe TEACL method of DNA-DNA hybridization: Technical considerations
Powell J, Caccone A. The TEACL method of DNA-DNA hybridization: Technical considerations. Journal Of Molecular Evolution 1990, 30: 267-272. PMID: 2109088, DOI: 10.1007/bf02099996.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
1988
Rates and patterns of scnDNA and mtDNA divergence within the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup.
Caccone A, Amato G, Powell J. Rates and patterns of scnDNA and mtDNA divergence within the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup. Genetics 1988, 118: 671-683. PMID: 2896615, PMCID: PMC1203322, DOI: 10.1093/genetics/118.4.671.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrosophila melanogaster subgroupDNA-DNA hybridizationMelanogaster subgroupSingle-copy nuclear DNARestriction site variationHomosequential speciesMtDNA divergenceChromosomal evolutionDNA divergenceDrosophila genomeIsland speciesD. takahashiiMonophyletic groupChromosomal dataTypes of DNAEvolutionary changeMitochondrial DNANuclear DNANucleotide substitutionsSite variationSpeciesDNADivergenceDistinct classesHybridization
1986
Rates of nucleotide substitution in Drosophila mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA are similar.
Powell J, Caccone A, Amato G, Yoon C. Rates of nucleotide substitution in Drosophila mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA are similar. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 1986, 83: 9090-9093. PMID: 3097641, PMCID: PMC387080, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.83.23.9090.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNuclear DNANucleotide substitutionsSingle-copy nuclear DNADrosophila mitochondrial DNADNA sequence dataMajority of DNADrosophila yakubaDrosophila melanogasterMitochondrial DNASequence dataBase pair mismatchesDNA hybridsDNAMitochondriaDNA hybridizationYakubaEukaryotesDrosophilaMelanogasterMtDNAsInvertebratesVertebratesChloroplastsMtDNAOrganelles