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The Evolution of Insect Metamorphosis.

James W Truman1

  • 1Department of Biology and Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, 620 University Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|December 4, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Insect metamorphosis evolved through hormonal control of gene expression, enabling insects to dominate terrestrial ecosystems. Juvenile hormones (JH) and ecdysteroids regulate key genes like Kr-h1, broad, and E93, driving developmental transitions.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Insect metamorphosis is a pivotal evolutionary event, transforming arthropods into a dominant terrestrial group.
  • The evolution of flight drove the development of metamorphosis, creating distinct juvenile and adult stages.
  • Hormonal systems, specifically ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JH), are central to regulating these developmental changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of insect metamorphosis.
  • To understand the roles of ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JH) in regulating stage-specific genes.
  • To investigate how hormonal signaling pathways facilitated the transition from hemimetaboly to holometaboly.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of insect life cycles and hormonal regulation.

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  • Examination of the function of stage-specifying genes (Kr-h1, broad, E93) in development.
  • Review of the roles of ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JH) in embryonic and postembryonic development.

    • Main Results:

    • The evolution of metamorphosis involved modifications in embryogenesis and postembryonic development, driven by hormonal signaling.
    • Ecdysteroids, acting through the ecdysone receptor (EcR), control molting and metamorphosis.
    • Juvenile hormones (JH) regulate ecdysteroid action and stage-specific gene expression (Kr-h1, broad, E93), with evolving roles in complex life cycles.

    Conclusions:

    • Insect metamorphosis evolved in concert with hormonal systems and stage-specifying genes.
    • The hormonal regulation of development, particularly by JH and ecdysteroids, was crucial for the diversification of insect life histories.
    • Understanding these hormonal mechanisms provides insight into the evolutionary success of insects.