Evolution of ZW Sex Chromosomes in Ptyas Snakes (Reptilia, Colubridae): New Insights from a Molecular Cytogenetic Perspective
Snakes are cytogenetically dynamic, characterized by largely conserved diploid chromosome numbers although displaying varied variable evolutionary stages of their sex chromosomes. This study examined four snakes, with a special focus on the genus <i>Ptyas</i>, to provide evolutionary insights into the evolution of ZW sex chromosomes. We performed an extensive karyotype characterization using conventional and molecular cytogenetic approaches, described for the first time the karyotype of <i>Ptyas korros,</i> and revisited the karyotype descriptions of <i>P. mucosa</i>, <i>Chrysopelea ornata</i>, and <i>Fowlea flavipunctatus</i>. We found that all species except <i>F. flavipunctatus</i> have highly heterochromatic W chromosomes enriched in satDNAs or microsatellite repeats. Repetitive sequences accumulate with the heterochromatinization of the W chromosome but are not necessarily associated with this process, demonstrating the dynamic makeup of snake sex chromosomes. Autosomal locus-specific and sex chromosome probes from <i>Pogona vitticeps</i> and <i>Varanus acanthurus</i> did not show hybridization signals in <i>Ptyas</i> snakes, suggesting divergent evolutionary pathways. This finding highlighted the dynamic nature of sex chromosome evolution in snakes, which occurred independently in lizards.
Authors
- Alongklod Tanomtong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8466-3594)
- Kriengkrai Seetapan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0900-6890)
- Natália dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2061-9690)
- Weera Thongnetr (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2598-3144)
- Thomas Liehr (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1672-3054)
- Montri Sumontha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4829-7731)
- Nattasuda Donbundit (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3074-9288)
- Príncia Grejo Setti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6773-3856)
- Fábio Porto‐Foresti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8845-3845)
- Sukhonthip Ditcharoen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8753-725X)
- Ricardo Utsunomia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4565-6065)
- Krit Pinthong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1228-9844)
- Tariq Ezaz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4763-1347)
- Phichaya Buasriyot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0821-7629)
- Marcelo de Bello Cioffi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4340-1464)
- Geize Aparecida Deon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3374-2233)
Institutions
- Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (TH)
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos (BR)
- Khon Kaen University (TH)
- University of Canberra (AU)
- University of Phayao (TH)
- Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (TH)
- Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi (TH)
- Jena University Hospital (DE)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena (DE)
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Published
- 2025-05-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26104540
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.11
Funders
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico