The genetic and cellular basis of viviparity

Smout, John Laurence (2025) The genetic and cellular basis of viviparity. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Reproductive mode is an important topic in evolutionary biology, as the evolution of viviparity is a major evolutionary transition that has evolved repeatedly in different animal groups. Squamate reptiles are recognised as excellent models for the evolution of viviparity, with over 100 such transitions known from this class of animals, representing a broad range of phenotypes on the oviparity-viviparity continuum, particularly in the case of reproductively bimodal species such as the Eurasian common lizard Zootoca vivipara. In this thesis, I present the results of a series of experiments building on and expanding the existing body of work using Z. vivipara as a model system. In Chapter 1 I present a review of the current state of the literature on the evolution of oviparity-viviparity transitions in squamate reptiles across every major squamate group, and discuss the status of Z. vivipara as an emerging model organism while summarising previous work on reproductive mode in this and other squamate species. In Chapters 2-3 I present the results of two new sequencing experiments designed to investigate the uterine transcriptomic changes which accompany pregnancy in viviparous Z. vivipara, describing changes in gene expression and alternative-splicing of genes before, during and after pregnancy, as well as exploring gene expression of known viviparity-related genes at the cellular level. In Chapter 4 I then present a new model for the investigation of reproductive mode in the form of cultured Z. vivipara oviduct cells, and characterise and evaluate this system as a potential tool for future research. Finally in Chapter 5 I discuss the potential for these results to enable a new program of research for the functional validation of candidate genes linked to viviparity, in a new reverse-genetic paradigm for reproductive mode research.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology; S Agriculture > SF Animal culture > SF600 Veterinary Medicine
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Supervisor's Name: Elmer, Professor Kathryn, McLaughlin, Dr. Michael and Bain, Professor Maureen
• Date of Award: 2025
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2025-85055
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 15 Apr 2025 13:12
• Last Modified: 15 Apr 2025 13:12
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85055
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85055