Genomic characterization between strains selected for death-feigning duration for avoiding attack of a beetle
Keisuke Tanaka1, Ken Sasaki2, Kentarou Matsumura3
1NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|November 9, 2021
Summary
This study reveals that artificial selection on death-feigning behavior in Tribolium castaneum preserves gene variants in metabolic pathways. These pathways, including tyrosine and caffeine metabolism, likely influence anti-predator responses.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Predator avoidance is crucial for organismal adaptation.
- Death-feigning behavior is a key anti-predator strategy.
- Genetic variation underlies behavioral differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare DNA variation between long and short death-feigning Tribolium castaneum strains.
- To link DNA sequence differences to death-feigning duration at the transcriptome level.
- To identify genetic pathways involved in death-feigning behavior.
Main Methods:
- DNA resequencing of long and short death-feigning strains of Tribolium castaneum.
- Comparative genomic analysis of gene variants.
- Transcriptome-level investigation of physiological characteristics.
Main Results:
- Significant DNA variation exists between strains selected for different death-feigning durations.
- Artificial selection preserved specific gene variants in metabolic and regulatory pathways in the long-feigning strain.
- Pathways implicated include caffeine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism (cytochrome P450), longevity regulation, and circadian rhythm.
Conclusions:
- Multiple metabolic pathways, beyond tyrosine metabolism, are involved in the genetic basis of death-feigning behavior.
- These pathways likely form a complex network influencing anti-predator behavior decision-making.
- Genetic variants shaped by artificial selection play a role in the evolution of complex behaviors.
