Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini)
Abstract Lice are obligate ectoparasites that have co-evolved with their hosts, particularly during the transition of mammals from terrestrial to amphibious habits, as sea lions, seals and walruses, and have undergone parallel adaptations to the extreme conditions of the deep sea. By combining morph...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Communications Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08306-2 |
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| author | María Soledad Leonardi Jose M. Latorre-Estivalis José E. Crespo Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes Thomas Schwaha Valentin Blüml David Ebmer Florencia A. Soto Paula Olivera Claudio R. Lazzari |
| author_facet | María Soledad Leonardi Jose M. Latorre-Estivalis José E. Crespo Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes Thomas Schwaha Valentin Blüml David Ebmer Florencia A. Soto Paula Olivera Claudio R. Lazzari |
| author_sort | María Soledad Leonardi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Lice are obligate ectoparasites that have co-evolved with their hosts, particularly during the transition of mammals from terrestrial to amphibious habits, as sea lions, seals and walruses, and have undergone parallel adaptations to the extreme conditions of the deep sea. By combining morphological, physiological and genomic analyses, we are shedding light on a key process for surviving prolonged submersion: respiration. Under water, lice immobilise, close their spiracles, reduce their oxygen consumption to a minimum and breathe through their tegument. The presence of haemoglobin genes in their genome also strongly suggests the ability to store oxygen during host dives. Remarkably, seal lice have no anatomical features or physiological capabilities that distinguish them from other insects. This reinforces the idea that the absence of insects in the deep sea is not due to any inherent limitations in their form or function, but rather a result of their evolutionary pathways. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-55e9b61bbd1e4b01b2dde48d706b97b4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2399-3642 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-55e9b61bbd1e4b01b2dde48d706b97b42025-08-20T02:05:14ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-06-018111010.1038/s42003-025-08306-2Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini)María Soledad Leonardi0Jose M. Latorre-Estivalis1José E. Crespo2Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes3Thomas Schwaha4Valentin Blüml5David Ebmer6Florencia A. Soto7Paula Olivera8Claudio R. Lazzari9IBIOMAR - CONICETIFIBYNE - UBA- CONICETIEGEBA - UBA- CONICETInstituto René Rachou - FIOCRUZUniversity of ViennaUniversity of ViennaVienna ZooIBIOMAR - CONICETIBIOMAR - CONICETInstitut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, University of ToursAbstract Lice are obligate ectoparasites that have co-evolved with their hosts, particularly during the transition of mammals from terrestrial to amphibious habits, as sea lions, seals and walruses, and have undergone parallel adaptations to the extreme conditions of the deep sea. By combining morphological, physiological and genomic analyses, we are shedding light on a key process for surviving prolonged submersion: respiration. Under water, lice immobilise, close their spiracles, reduce their oxygen consumption to a minimum and breathe through their tegument. The presence of haemoglobin genes in their genome also strongly suggests the ability to store oxygen during host dives. Remarkably, seal lice have no anatomical features or physiological capabilities that distinguish them from other insects. This reinforces the idea that the absence of insects in the deep sea is not due to any inherent limitations in their form or function, but rather a result of their evolutionary pathways.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08306-2 |
| spellingShingle | María Soledad Leonardi Jose M. Latorre-Estivalis José E. Crespo Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes Thomas Schwaha Valentin Blüml David Ebmer Florencia A. Soto Paula Olivera Claudio R. Lazzari Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini) Communications Biology |
| title | Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini) |
| title_full | Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini) |
| title_fullStr | Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini) |
| title_short | Host-parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects, seal lice (Lepidophthirus macrorhini) |
| title_sort | host parasite coevolution leads to underwater respiratory adaptations in extreme diving insects seal lice lepidophthirus macrorhini |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08306-2 |
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