Figure 9.

Evolutionary scenario of the melatonin receptors in vertebrates. This evolutionary scenario was developed on the basis of the phylogeny and synteny analyses (Figures 2–4 and Supplementary Figures 2–5). The four receptor genes are derived from duplication of an ancient mtnr1 gene through vertebrate tetraploidization (1R and 2R). The teleost 3R event generated duplicates of the four mtnr subtypes. Multiple and selective gene losses occurred, leading to mtnr gene repertoires differing between the main gnathostome lineages. Genome tetraploidization events (1R, 2R, 3R, and 4R) are indicated in purple. Major gene gain and loss events as well as chromosome rearrangements are indicated in red boxes. Genes located on the same linkage group are represented by clusters on the genomic DNA line. Red crosses indicate gene loss. The red arc indicates genomic region fusion events. Colored tree branches represent mtnr gene lineages. Red star * on a tree branch indicates gene loss. The receptor identities are indicated in or beside the boxes. Paralogs originating from teleost 3R are designated by a and b suffixes, and salmonid 4R paralogs are designated by α and β suffixes.