Genome sequences reveal global dispersal routes and suggest convergent genetic adaptations in seahorse evolution

Seahorses have a circum-global distribution in tropical to temperate coastal waters. Yet, seahorses show many adaptations for a sedentary, cryptic lifestyle: they require specific habitats, such as seagrass, kelp or coral reefs, lack pelvic and caudal fins, and give birth to directly developed offspring without pronounced pelagic larval stage, rendering long-range dispersal by conventional means inefficient. Here we investigate seahorses’ worldwide dispersal and biogeographic patterns based on a de novo genome assembly of Hippocampus erectus as well as 358 re-sequenced genomes from 21 species. Seahorses evolved in the late Oligocene and subsequent circum-global colonization routes are identified and linked to changing dynamics in ocean currents and paleo-temporal seaway openings. Furthermore, the genetic basis of the recurring “bony spines” adaptive phenotype is linked to independent substitutions in a key developmental gene. Analyses thus suggest that rafting via ocean currents compensates for poor dispersal and rapid adaptation facilitates colonizing new habitats.

Fil: Chunyan, Li. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory; China. Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; China. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Olave, Melisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina. University of Konstanz; Alemania

Fil: Hou, Yali. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Geng, Qi. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory; China

Fil: Schneider, Ralf. University Of Konstanz; Alemania. Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kie; Alemania

Fil: Zeixa, Gao. Huazhong Agricultural University; China

Fil: Xiaolong, Tu. Allwegene Technologies ; China

Fil: Xin, Wang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Furong, Qi. China National Center for Bioinformation; China. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; China

Fil: Nater, Alexander. University of Konstanz; Alemania

Fil: Kautt, Andreas F.. University of Konstanz; Alemania. Harvard University; Estados Unidos

Fil: Wan, Shiming. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Yanhong, Zhang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Yali, Liu. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Huixian, Zhang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Bo, Zhang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Hao, Zhang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Meng, Qu ,. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Shuaishuai, Liu. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Zeyu, Chen. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; China

Fil: Zhong, Jia. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Zhang, He. BGI-Shenzhen; China

Fil: Meng, Lingfeng. BGI-Shenzhen; China

Fil: Wang, Kai. Ludong University; China

Fil: Yin, Jianping. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Huang, Liangmin. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; China

Fil: Venkatesh, Byrappa. Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology; Singapur

Fil: Meyer, Axel. University of Konstanz; Alemania

Fil: Lu, Xuemei. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Fil: Lin, Qiang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory; China. Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; China. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; China