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Evolution of mammalian diving capacity traced by myoglobin net surface charge
Mirceta, S.; Signore, A.V.; Burns, J.M.; Cossins, A.R.; Campbell, K.L.; Berenbrink, M. (2013). Evolution of mammalian diving capacity traced by myoglobin net surface charge. Science (Wash.) 340(6138): 1303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1234192
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Mirceta, S.
  • Signore, A.V.
  • Burns, J.M.
  • Cossins, A.R.
  • Campbell, K.L.
  • Berenbrink, M.

Abstract
    Extended breath-hold endurance enables the exploitation of the aquatic niche by numerous mammalian lineages and is accomplished by elevated body oxygen stores and adaptations that promote their economical use. However, little is known regarding the molecular and evolutionary underpinnings of the high muscle myoglobin concentration phenotype of divers. We used ancestral sequence reconstruction to trace the evolution of this oxygen-storing protein across a 130-species mammalian phylogeny and reveal an adaptive molecular signature of elevated myoglobin net surface charge in diving species that is mechanistically linked with maximal myoglobin concentration. This observation provides insights into the tempo and routes to enhanced dive capacity evolution within the ancestors of each major mammalian aquatic lineage and infers amphibious ancestries of echidnas, moles, hyraxes, and elephants, offering a fresh perspective on the evolution of this iconic respiratory pigment.

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