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Morphological effects of juvenile hormone mimics on embryonic development in the bug,Pyrrhocoris apterus

Eugenie C Enslee1, Lynn M Riddiford1

  • 1The Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, 02138, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Wilhelm Roux'S Archives of Developmental Biology
|March 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Juvenile hormone mimics disrupt Pyrrhocoris apterus embryonic development, preventing blastokinesis and causing defects in dorsal closure and appendage extension. Pigmentation and muscle differentiation still occurred despite JH exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Insect endocrinology
  • Embryogenesis

Background:

  • Juvenile hormone (JH) plays a critical role in insect post-embryonic development.
  • Understanding JH's precise effects during embryogenesis is crucial for insect developmental studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the progressive effects of juvenile hormone mimics (JH) on Pyrrhocoris apterus embryonic development.
  • To identify specific developmental processes disrupted by JH exposure during embryogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Pyrrhocoris apterus embryos were exposed to JH mimics throughout their development.
  • Morphological examination of treated and control embryos at various developmental stages, including pre- and post-blastokinesis.
  • Analysis of specific embryonic structures such as extra-embryonic membranes, dorsal closure, nerve cord, and appendages.

Main Results:

  • Embryos treated with JH mimics failed to complete blastokinesis due to abnormal extra-embryonic membrane breakage.
  • JH exposure interfered with dorsal closure, nerve cord consolidation, and appendage extension during the embryo-larva transition.
  • Despite developmental disruptions, JH-treated embryos exhibited normal pigmentation and muscle differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • Juvenile hormone mimics significantly disrupt key morphogenetic events during Pyrrhocoris apterus embryogenesis.
  • JH's role in embryonic development differs from its established functions in post-embryonic molting and metamorphosis.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying JH's teratogenic effects in insect embryos.
Keywords:
Blastokinesis mechanismHemipteraInsect embryosJuvenile hormone mimicsNerve cord morphogenesis

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