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Molecular Insights into Zoology
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Molecular Insights into Zoology

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 1694

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Valeria Maselli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Campus Monte Sant’Angelo, Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Interests: zoology; molecular evolution; ethology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The study of animals, including their structure, physiology, classification, and ecological and evolutionary processes, has always interested researchers. The classical zoological approach can be improved by contemporary molecular biology tools that could provide important answers to classic problems. This integrated and transformative approach can be used not only for living species but also for extinct species, reconstructing the phylogeny and evolution at the genomic and molecular levels.

The advent of omics sciences and other emerging technologies has totally altered the scientific research approach, first with transcriptomic and genomic analysis but also with metagenomic analysis from environmental samples. The most important challenges could be data integration, technical limitations due to protocol adaptation, and animal welfare restrictions. Moreover, it is possible to consider the integration with other disciplines as ecological dynamics that enhance our understanding of biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the adaptive responses of species to environmental changes.

This multidisciplinary perspective is captured altogether in a Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, collecting some examples of how zoology can be integrated with the enormous potential of molecular science.

Dr. Valeria Maselli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • zoology
  • genomics
  • transcriptomics
  • phylogeny
  • molecular evolution
  • mtDNA
  • eDNA
  • RNA
  • molecular zoolog

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 6523 KiB  
Article
Complete Mitogenomes of Xinjiang Hares and Their Selective Pressure Considerations
by Ruijie Wang, Mayinur Tursun and Wenjuan Shan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 11925; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252211925 - 6 Nov 2024
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Comparative analysis based on the mitogenomes of hares in Xinjiang, China, is limited. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of seven hare samples including four hare species and their hybrids from different environments were sequenced, assembled, and annotated. Subsequently, we performed base [...] Read more.
Comparative analysis based on the mitogenomes of hares in Xinjiang, China, is limited. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of seven hare samples including four hare species and their hybrids from different environments were sequenced, assembled, and annotated. Subsequently, we performed base content and bias analysis, tRNA analysis, phylogenetic analysis, and amino acid sequence analysis of the annotated genes to understand their characteristics and phylogenetic relationship. Their mitogenomes are circular molecules (from 16,691 to 17,598 bp) containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region, which are similar with other Lepus spp. worldwide. The relative synonymous codon usage analysis revealed that the adaptation of Lepus yarkandensis to its unique arid and hot environment might be associated with synthesizing amino acids like alanine, leucine, serine, arginine, and isoleucine and the terminator caused by the different usage of codons. Further, we utilized the MEME model and identified two positive selection genes (ND4, ND5) in Lepus tibetanus pamirensis and one (ND5) in L. yarkandensis that might be important to their adaptation to the plateau and dry and hot basin environments, respectively. Meanwhile, Lepus tolai lehmanni and Lepus timidus may have evolved different adaptive mechanisms for the same cold environment. This study explored the evolutionary dynamics of Xinjiang hares’ mitochondrial genomes, providing significant support for future research into their adaptation mechanisms in extreme environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Zoology)
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19 pages, 6473 KiB  
Article
Mitogenomic Architecture of Atlantic Emperor Lethrinus atlanticus (Actinopterygii: Spariformes): Insights into the Lineage Diversification in Atlantic Ocean
by Shantanu Kundu, Hye-Eun Kang, Yunji Go, Gyurim Bang, Yengju Jang, Hsu Htoo, Sarifah Aini and Hyun-Woo Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10700; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910700 - 4 Oct 2024
Viewed by 992
Abstract
The evolutionary history of emperors, particularly in the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific Oceans, remains largely unmapped. This study explores the maternal lineage evolution of Lethrinids by examining the complete mitogenome of Lethrinus atlanticus, which is endemic to the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Utilizing [...] Read more.
The evolutionary history of emperors, particularly in the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific Oceans, remains largely unmapped. This study explores the maternal lineage evolution of Lethrinids by examining the complete mitogenome of Lethrinus atlanticus, which is endemic to the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Utilizing advanced next-generation sequencing, we found that the mitogenome spans 16,789 base pairs and encompasses 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and an AT-rich control region (CR). Our analysis indicates a preference for AT base pairs in the L. atlanticus mitogenome (53.10%). Most PCGs begin with the ATG codon, except for COI, which starts with GTG. Relative synonymous codon usage reveals high frequencies for alanine, leucine, proline, serine, and threonine. The ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions suggests strong negative selection across all PCGs in Lethrinus species. Most transfer RNAs exhibit typical cloverleaf structures, with the exception of tRNA-serine (GCT), which lacks a dihydrouracil stem. Comparative analysis of conserved sequence blocks across the CRs of three Lethrinus species shows notable differences in length and nucleotide composition. Phylogenetic analysis using concatenated PCGs clearly distinguishes all Lethrinus species, including L. atlanticus, and sheds light on the evolutionary relationships among Spariformes species. The estimated divergence time of approximately 20.67 million years between L. atlanticus and its Indo-West Pacific relatives provides insights into their historical separation and colonization during the late Oligocene. The distribution of Lethrinids may be influenced by ocean currents and ecological factors, potentially leading to their speciation across the Eastern Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific. This study enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships within Lethrinus species. Further exploration of other emperor fish mitogenomes and comprehensive genomic data could provide vital insights into their genetic makeup, evolutionary history, and environmental adaptability in marine ecosystems globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Zoology)
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