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Horne-Badovinac S. The Drosophila micropyle as a system to study how epithelia build complex extracellular structures. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190561. [PMID: 32829690 PMCID: PMC7482212 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic rearrangements of epithelial cells play central roles in shaping tissues and organs during development. There are also scenarios, however, in which epithelial cell movements synergize with the secretion of extracellular matrix to build rigid, acellular structures that persist long after the cells are gone. The formation of the Drosophila micropyle provides an elegant example of this epithelial craftsmanship. The micropyle is a cone-shaped projection of the eggshell through which the sperm will enter to fertilize the oocyte. Though simple on the surface, both the inner structure and construction of the micropyle are remarkably complex. In this review, I first provide an overview of egg development, focusing on the key events required to understand micropyle formation. I then describe the structure of the micropyle, the cellular contributions to its morphogenesis and some interesting open questions about this process. There is a brief discussion of micropyle formation in other insects and fish to highlight the potential for comparative studies. Finally, I discuss how new studies of micropyle formation could reveal general mechanisms that epithelia use to build complex extracellular structures. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Contemporary morphogenesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Horne-Badovinac
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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52
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Abstract
New species arise as the genomes of populations diverge. The developmental 'alarm clock' of speciation sounds off when sufficient divergence in genetic control of development leads hybrid individuals to infertility or inviability, the world awoken to the dawn of new species with intrinsic post-zygotic reproductive isolation. Some developmental stages will be more prone to hybrid dysfunction due to how molecular evolution interacts with the ontogenetic timing of gene expression. Considering the ontogeny of hybrid incompatibilities provides a profitable connection between 'evo-devo' and speciation genetics to better link macroevolutionary pattern, microevolutionary process, and molecular mechanisms. Here, we explore speciation alongside development, emphasizing their mutual dependence on genetic network features, fitness landscapes, and developmental system drift. We assess models for how ontogenetic timing of reproductive isolation can be predictable. Experiments and theory within this synthetic perspective can help identify new rules of speciation as well as rules in the molecular evolution of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher D Cutter
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Joanna D Bundus
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin – MadisonMadisonUnited States
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53
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Chirgwin E, Monro K. Correlational selection on size and development time is inconsistent across early life stages. Evol Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-020-10065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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54
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O'Hanlon JC, Jones BR, Bulbert MW. The dynamic eggs of the Phasmatodea and their apparent convergence with plants. Naturwissenschaften 2020; 107:34. [PMID: 32737596 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-020-01690-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The egg stages of animal life cycles are underappreciated in terms of their capacity for dispersal, protection, and biotic and abiotic interactions. Some of the most intriguing egg morphologies are seen in stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea). Phasmids are charismatic insects, particularly due to their incredible camouflage, though a lesser-known fact is that their eggs are incredibly diverse in shape and structure, reflecting varying ecological niches. Perhaps most remarkable are those eggs which appear to resemble plant seeds in both their appearance and means of dispersal, such as via water and animal vectors. Numerous hypotheses surrounding the function of these egg morphologies and their apparent convergence with seeds have been proposed; however, empirical evidence remains lacking. Here, we present an initial synthesis of available evidence surrounding the ecology and dispersal strategies of phasmid eggs and weigh up the evidence for convergent evolution between phasmid eggs and seeds. In doing so, we highlight areas where further research is needed and discuss how the ecology of phasmid eggs may interplay with other aspects of phasmid ecology, distribution, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C O'Hanlon
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, 2350, Australia.
| | - Braxton R Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Matthew W Bulbert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
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55
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Fatouros NE, Cusumano A, Bin F, Polaszek A, van Lenteren JC. How to escape from insect egg parasitoids: a review of potential factors explaining parasitoid absence across the Insecta. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200344. [PMID: 32693731 PMCID: PMC7423650 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The egg is the first life stage directly exposed to the environment in oviparous animals, including many vertebrates and most arthropods. Eggs are vulnerable and prone to mortality risks. In arthropods, one of the most common egg mortality factors is attack from parasitoids. Yet, parasitoids that attack the egg stage are absent in more than half of all insect (sub)orders. In this review, we explore possible causes explaining why eggs of some insect taxa are not parasitized. Many insect (sub)orders that are not attacked by egg parasitoids lack herbivorous species, with some notable exceptions. Factors we consider to have led to escape from egg parasitism are parental egg care, rapid egg development, small egg size, hiding eggs, by e.g. placing them into the soil, applying egg coatings or having thick chorions preventing egg penetration, eusociality, and egg cannibalism. A quantitative network analysis of host-parasitoid associations shows that the five most-speciose genera of egg parasitoids display patterns of specificity with respect to certain insect orders, especially Lepidoptera and Hemiptera, largely including herbivorous species that deposit their eggs on plants. Finally, we discuss the many counteradaptations that particularly herbivorous species have developed to lower the risk of attack by egg parasitoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. E. Fatouros
- Biosystematics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Cusumano
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F. Bin
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - A. Polaszek
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - J. C. van Lenteren
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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56
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Howard CC, Cellinese N. Tunicate bulb size variation in monocots explained by temperature and phenology. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:2299-2309. [PMID: 32184982 PMCID: PMC7069286 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant bulbs are modified shoot systems comprised of short internodes with apical bud(s) surrounded by layers of leaf bases. Bulb diameters can vary greatly, with overall bulb size playing a role in flower formation and resource allocation. Despite the importance of bulb size to the overall fitness of an individual, evolutionary and ecological aspects of this trait have been almost completely neglected. Examining over 2,500 herbarium vouchers for 115 selected species, we analyzed monocot tunicate bulb size within a phylogenetic context in order to investigate its evolutionary significance. We recorded two bulb diameter optima and observed that as bulb size increases taxa inhabit warmer areas with less temperature seasonality. Furthermore, we found that hysteranthous taxa, a habit where leaves emerge separately from flowers, exhibit overall larger bulbs potentially due to reliance upon belowground stored resources to flower rather than on current environmental inputs. This work highlights the importance of including the belowground portion of plants into ecological and evolutionary studies in order to gain a more complete understanding of the evolution of plant forms and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Coyotee Howard
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida
| | - Nico Cellinese
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida
- Genetics InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida
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57
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Rowe M, Rosengrave P. There and back again: A sperm's tale. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:395-398. [PMID: 32020695 PMCID: PMC7317830 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissah Rowe
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrice Rosengrave
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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58
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Amiri E, Le K, Melendez CV, Strand MK, Tarpy DR, Rueppell O. Egg-size plasticity in Apis mellifera: Honey bee queens alter egg size in response to both genetic and environmental factors. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:534-543. [PMID: 31961025 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Social evolution has led to distinct life-history patterns in social insects, but many colony-level and individual traits, such as egg size, are not sufficiently understood. Thus, a series of experiments was performed to study the effects of genotypes, colony size and colony nutrition on variation in egg size produced by honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens. Queens from different genetic stocks produced significantly different egg sizes under similar environmental conditions, indicating standing genetic variation for egg size that allows for adaptive evolutionary change. Further investigations revealed that eggs produced by queens in large colonies were consistently smaller than eggs produced in small colonies, and queens dynamically adjusted egg size in relation to colony size. Similarly, queens increased egg size in response to food deprivation. These results could not be solely explained by different numbers of eggs produced in the different circumstances but instead seem to reflect an active adjustment of resource allocation by the queen in response to colony conditions. As a result, larger eggs experienced higher subsequent survival than smaller eggs, suggesting that honey bee queens might increase egg size under unfavourable conditions to enhance brood survival and to minimize costly brood care of eggs that fail to successfully develop, and thus conserve energy at the colony level. The extensive plasticity and genetic variation of egg size in honey bees has important implications for understanding life-history evolution in a social context and implies this neglected life-history stage in honey bees may have trans-generational effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaeil Amiri
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.,Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kevin Le
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Carlos Vega Melendez
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Micheline K Strand
- Life Sciences Division, U.S. Army Research Office, CCDC-ARL, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - David R Tarpy
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
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59
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Guglielmi G. The biologist using insect eggs to overturn evolutionary doctrine. Nature 2019; 571:24-26. [PMID: 31270490 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-019-02040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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60
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A dataset of egg size and shape from more than 6,700 insect species. Sci Data 2019; 6:104. [PMID: 31270334 PMCID: PMC6610123 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0049-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Offspring size is a fundamental trait in disparate biological fields of study. This trait can be measured as the size of plant seeds, animal eggs, or live young, and it influences ecological interactions, organism fitness, maternal investment, and embryonic development. Although multiple evolutionary processes have been predicted to drive the evolution of offspring size, the phylogenetic distribution of this trait remains poorly understood, due to the difficulty of reliably collecting and comparing offspring size data from many species. Here we present a dataset of 10,449 morphological descriptions of insect eggs, with records for 6,706 unique insect species and representatives from every extant hexapod order. The dataset includes eggs whose volumes span more than eight orders of magnitude. We created this dataset by partially automating the extraction of egg traits from the primary literature. In the process, we overcame challenges associated with large-scale phenotyping by designing and employing custom bioinformatic solutions to common problems. We matched the taxa in this dataset to the currently accepted scientific names in taxonomic and genetic databases, which will facilitate the use of these data for testing pressing evolutionary hypotheses in offspring size evolution. Design Type(s) | software development objective • morphology-based phylogenetic analysis objective • species comparison design | Measurement Type(s) | morphology | Technology Type(s) | digital curation | Factor Type(s) | shape • size | Sample Characteristic(s) | Hexapoda • egg |
Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data (ISA-Tab format)
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