Phenotypic consequences of adaptive toxin production and resistance in coevolutionary partners
type: CreativeWork
description: The effect that ecological interactions between species have on their evolution is an impactful but understudied area of research. The influence species have on each other's evolution has taken on new relevance as anthropogenic change alters where, when, and how species interact. Partnered species that directly influence selection for traits in one another represent one such interaction where selection may be intense. In this case, evolutionary constraints and consequences are measurable in phenotypic traits that mediate the interaction. Antagonistic coevolution, which can arise between predator and prey, may influence traits directly responsible for survival and may favor the predator who only risks loss of a meal while their prey risk loss of life (e.g. life-dinner principle). When prey are dangerous, selection may be more balanced with both species exerting selective pressure on the other. This reciprocal selection can lead to rapid adaptation as predator and prey evolve to avoid deadly outcomes. However, specialized adaptations require a balance between cost and benefit. Evolutionary changes depend on existing genetic architecture and must maintain the function of essential traits. Thus, tradeoffs may arise, and they may limit the extent to which coevolutionary arms-race dynamics between predator and prey develop, determining which party will best the other. In the western U.S., toxic Pacific newts (Taricha) are defended by a highly potent neurotoxin. This neurotoxin makes them too dangerous for nearly all vertebrates to consume. Taricha are defended by tetrodotoxin (TTX) which blocks voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) and inhibits nerve activation and muscle function, typically leading to death by respiratory failure. Amazingly, multiple species of garter snakes (Thamnophis) have adapted to overcome this defense, harboring mutations that prevent TTX from binding to its target. These mutations, however, also decrease protein and muscle function, which suggests …
abstract: The effect that ecological interactions between species have on their evolution is an impactful but understudied area of research. The influence species have on each other's evolution has taken on new relevance as anthropogenic change alters where, when, and how species interact. Partnered species that directly influence selection for traits in one another represent one such interaction where selection may be intense. In this case, evolutionary constraints and consequences are measurable in phenotypic traits that mediate the interaction. Antagonistic coevolution, which can arise between predator and prey, may influence traits directly responsible for survival and may favor the predator who only risks loss of a meal while their prey risk loss of life (e.g. life-dinner principle). When prey are dangerous, selection may be more balanced with both species exerting selective pressure on the other. This reciprocal selection can lead to rapid adaptation as predator and prey evolve to avoid deadly outcomes. However, specialized adaptations require a balance between cost and benefit. Evolutionary changes depend on existing genetic architecture and must maintain the function of essential traits. Thus, tradeoffs may arise, and they may limit the extent to which coevolutionary arms-race dynamics between predator and prey develop, determining which party will best the other. In the western U.S., toxic Pacific newts (Taricha) are defended by a highly potent neurotoxin. This neurotoxin makes them too dangerous for nearly all vertebrates to consume. Taricha are defended by tetrodotoxin (TTX) which blocks voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) and inhibits nerve activation and muscle function, typically leading to death by respiratory failure. Amazingly, multiple species of garter snakes (Thamnophis) have adapted to overcome this defense, harboring mutations that prevent TTX from binding to its target. These mutations, however, also decrease protein and muscle function, which suggests …
author: Moniz, Haley Allison
keywords: Adaptation, Aposematism, Coevolution, Constraint, Toxin resistance, Tradeoff
date published: 2022
date modified: 2026-07-27T21:47:36Z
provider: University of Nevada - Reno
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Nevada - Reno

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11714/8212