The evolution of the testis transcriptome in pregnant male pipefishes and seahorses

• DOI: 10.1111/evo.14579
• Publication Date: 2022-07-21T21:09:48Z
• Authors: Bernadette D. Joh...; Andrew P. Anderson; Clayton M. Small; Emily Rose; Sarah P. Flanagan; Corey Hendrickson...; Adam G. Jones
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Semen; Testis; Fishes; Animals; Female; 14. Life underwater; Transcriptome; Smegmamorpha

In many animals, sperm competition and sexual conflict are thought to drive the rapid evolution of male-specific genes, especially those expressed in testes. A potential exception occurs male pregnant pipefishes, where females transfer eggs males, eliminating testes from participating these processes. Here, we show that testis-related genes differ dramatically their rates molecular expression patterns pipefishes seahorses (Syngnathidae) compared other fish. Genes involved testis or function within syngnathids experience weaker selection comparison orthologs spawning livebearing fishes. An assessment gene turnover transcriptome suggests have lost (or significantly reduced of) important classes transcriptomes Our results indicate more than 50 million years pregnancy removed syngnathid arms race drives reproductive taxa.