Microarray Analyses of Reptiles and Amphibians: Applications in Ecology and Evolution

Nicole P. Freire；Michele R. Tennant；Michael M. Miyamoto

Microarray ； Reptiles ； Amphibians ； Ecology ； Evolution

Zoological Studies

42卷3期（2003 / 07 / 01）

391 - 404

英文

This review examines the potential for microarray analyses of reptiles and amphibians to address ecological and evolutionary questions. Microarray techniques extend the basic principles of nucleic acid hybridization to genome-wide comparisons of gene expression among different cells, tissues, individuals, and/or groups. Reptiles and amphibians are recommended for such global analyses because of their frequent dramatic differences in important biological traits among close relatives (e.g., in reproduction and development), their intermediate positions within the vertebrate phylogeny, and their often-strong responses to environmental stimuli. The potential utility of microarray analyses in ecology and evolution is highlighted using a proposed test of viviparity in the common European lizard and with recent publications on the ecological and evolutionary genetics of other animal systems.