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Preadult life history variation determines adult transcriptome expression
William J Etges1, Cássia de Oliveira1, Subhash Rajpurohit2
1Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701-1201, USA.
Molecular Ecology
|November 29, 2015
Summary
Egg-to-adult development time influences adult gene expression and cuticular hydrocarbons in Drosophila mojavensis. This reveals connections between early life, environment, and adult traits, impacting reproductive isolation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Insect Ecology
Background:
- Preadult development significantly impacts adult traits and behavior in organisms with complex life cycles.
- Understanding gene expression patterns linked to preadult development is crucial for explaining adult fitness and reproductive isolation.
- Environmental factors, such as host cactus availability, can influence insect development and subsequent adult characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how egg-to-adult development time affects the adult transcriptome and cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in Drosophila mojavensis.
- To explore the genetic correlation between preadult development time and premating isolation in different populations.
- To understand the interplay of genetic and environmental influences on life cycle traits in a desert insect.
Main Methods:
- Flies (Drosophila mojavensis) were reared on different host cactus environments (pitaya agria and organ pipe cactus).
- Adult transcriptome variation was analyzed using RNA sequencing, focusing on differential gene expression.
- Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles were analyzed to assess variations related to development time, population, and mating status.
Main Results:
- Hundreds of genes were differentially expressed in adults due to variations in egg-to-adult development time.
- Development time influenced gene expression related to ribosome production, protein metabolism, energy production, and adult lifespan.
- Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles also shifted based on development time, population, and mating status.
Conclusions:
- Preadult development time is a key determinant of adult gene expression patterns and traits relevant to reproductive isolation.
- Environmental conditions (host cactus) interact with genetic factors to shape life cycle variation.
- The study reveals novel links between early-life development, gene expression, and reproductive isolation in Drosophila mojavensis.
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