How voles adapt to subterranean lifestyle: Insights from RNA-seq

Life under the earth surface is highly challenging and associated with a number of morphological, physiological behavioral modifications. Subterranean niche protects animals from predators, fluctuations in environmental parameters, but characterized by high levels carbon dioxide low oxygen implies energy requirements burrowing. Moreover, it lacks most sensory inputs available above ground. The current study describes results RNA-seq analysis four subterranean voles subfamily Arvicolinae: Prometheomys schaposchnikowi , Ellobius lutescens Terricola subterraneus Lasiopodomys mandarinus . Original data were obtained for eight species, nine SRA downloaded NCBI database. Additionally assembled transcriptomes Mynomes ochrogaster Cricetulus griseus included analysis. We searched selection signatures parallel amino acid substitutions total 19 species. Even within this limited set, we found significant changes dN/dS ratio free-ratio model Arvicolinae. Parallel detected genes RAD23B PYCR2 These are DNA repair processes response to oxidative stress. Similar discovered RAD23 specialized Heterocephalus glaber Fukomys damarensis pronounced adaptive evolution related species Arvicolinae Our suggest that genomic adaptations can occur very quickly so far as amount was be compliant degree specialization independent evolutionary age taxon. does not depend on taxon, positively correlated niche.