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Boyan G, Ehrhardt E. From bristle to brain: embryonic development of topographic projections from basiconic sensilla in the antennal nervous system of the locust Schistocerca gregaria. Dev Genes Evol 2024:10.1007/s00427-024-00716-2. [PMID: 38691194 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-024-00716-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The antennal flagellum of the locust S. gregaria is an articulated structure bearing a spectrum of sensilla that responds to sensory stimuli. In this study, we focus on the basiconic-type bristles as a model for sensory system development in the antenna. At the end of embryogenesis, these bristles are found at fixed locations and then on only the most distal six articulations of the antenna. They are innervated by a dendrite from a sensory cell cluster in the underlying epithelium, with each cluster directing fused axons topographically to an antennal tract running to the brain. We employ confocal imaging and immunolabeling to (a) identify mitotically active sense organ precursors for sensory cell clusters in the most distal annuli of the early embryonic antenna; (b) observe the subsequent spatial appearance of their neuronal progeny; and (c) map the spatial and temporal organization of axon projections from such clusters into the antennal tracts. We show that early in embryogenesis, proliferative precursors are localized circumferentially within discrete epithelial domains of the flagellum. Progeny first appear distally at the antennal tip and then sequentially in a proximal direction so that sensory neuron populations are distributed in an age-dependent manner along the antenna. Autotracing reveals that axon fasciculation with a tract is also sequential and reflects the location and age of the cell cluster along the most distal annuli. Cell cluster location and bristle location are therefore represented topographically and temporally within the axon profile of the tract and its projection to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Boyan
- Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Grosshadernerstrasse 2, Martinsried, 82152, Planegg, Germany.
| | - Erica Ehrhardt
- Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Grosshadernerstrasse 2, Martinsried, 82152, Planegg, Germany
- Institute of Zoology, AG Ito, Universität Zu Köln, Zülpicher Str. 47B, 50674, Cologne, Germany
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2
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Ke H, Chen Y, Zhang B, Duan S, Ma X, Ren B, Wang Y. Odorant Receptors Expressing and Antennal Lobes Architecture Are Linked to Caste Dimorphism in Asian Honeybee, Apis cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3934. [PMID: 38612745 PMCID: PMC11012130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects heavily rely on the olfactory system for food, mating, and predator evasion. However, the caste-related olfactory differences in Apis cerana, a eusocial insect, remain unclear. To explore the peripheral and primary center of the olfactory system link to the caste dimorphism in A. cerana, transcriptome and immunohistochemistry studies on the odorant receptors (ORs) and architecture of antennal lobes (ALs) were performed on different castes. Through transcriptomesis, we found more olfactory receptor genes in queens and workers than in drones, which were further validated by RT-qPCR, indicating caste dimorphism. Meanwhile, ALs structure, including volume, surface area, and the number of glomeruli, demonstrated a close association with caste dimorphism. Particularly, drones had more macroglomeruli possibly for pheromone recognition. Interestingly, we found that the number of ORs and glomeruli ratio was nearly 1:1. Also, the ORs expression distribution pattern was very similar to the distribution of glomeruli volume. Our results suggest the existence of concurrent plasticity in both the peripheral olfactory system and ALs among different castes of A. cerana, highlighting the role of the olfactory system in labor division in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqin Ke
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (H.K.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (X.M.); (B.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (H.K.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (X.M.); (B.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Baoyi Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (H.K.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (X.M.); (B.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Shiwen Duan
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (H.K.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (X.M.); (B.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xiaomei Ma
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (H.K.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (X.M.); (B.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Bingzhong Ren
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (H.K.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (X.M.); (B.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yinliang Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (H.K.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (X.M.); (B.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, MOE, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
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3
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Rode NO, Meslin C. A sweet tooth makes a fly a pest. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:315-317. [PMID: 38493056 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The major insect pest of soft and stone fruits, the spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has evolved a greater preference for laying eggs on ripe fruits over fermented ones. In a recent study, Cavey et al. found that higher responsiveness to low sugar concentrations has had an important role in this evolutionary shift in egg-laying behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas O Rode
- CBGP, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Camille Meslin
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, CNRS, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université Paris-Est-Créteil-Val-de-Marne, Université Paris Cité, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, Versailles, France.
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4
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Takagi S, Sancer G, Abuin L, Stupski SD, Arguello JR, Prieto-Godino LL, Stern DL, Cruchet S, Alvarez-Ocana R, Wienecke CFR, van Breugel F, Jeanne JM, Auer TO, Benton R. Sensory neuron population expansion enhances odor tracking without sensitizing projection neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.15.556782. [PMID: 37745467 PMCID: PMC10515935 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.15.556782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionary expansion of sensory neuron populations detecting important environmental cues is widespread, but functionally enigmatic. We investigated this phenomenon through comparison of homologous neural pathways of Drosophila melanogaster and its close relative Drosophila sechellia , an extreme specialist for Morinda citrifolia noni fruit. D. sechellia has evolved species-specific expansions in select, noni-detecting olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) populations, through multigenic changes. Activation and inhibition of defined proportions of neurons demonstrate that OSN population increases contribute to stronger, more persistent, noni-odor tracking behavior. These sensory neuron expansions result in increased synaptic connections with their projection neuron (PN) partners, which are conserved in number between species. Surprisingly, having more OSNs does not lead to greater odor-evoked PN sensitivity or reliability. Rather, pathways with increased sensory pooling exhibit reduced PN adaptation, likely through weakened lateral inhibition. Our work reveals an unexpected functional impact of sensory neuron expansions to explain ecologically-relevant, species-specific behavior.
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5
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Depetris-Chauvin A, Galagovsky D, Keesey IW, Hansson BS, Sachse S, Knaden M. Evolution at multiple processing levels underlies odor-guided behavior in the genus Drosophila. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4771-4785.e7. [PMID: 37804828 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is a fundamental sense guiding animals to their food. How the olfactory system evolves and influences behavior is still poorly understood. Here, we selected five drosophilid species, including Drosophila melanogaster, inhabiting different ecological niches to compare their olfactory systems at multiple levels. We first identified ecologically relevant natural food odorants from every species and established species-specific odorant preferences. To compare odor coding in sensory neurons, we analyzed the antennal lobe (AL) structure, generated glomerular atlases, and developed GCaMP transgenic lines for all species. Although subsets of glomeruli showed distinct tuning profiles, odorants inducing species-specific preferences were coded generally similarly. Species distantly related or occupying different habitats showed more evident differences in odor coding, and further analysis revealed that changes in olfactory receptor (OR) sequences partially explain these differences. Our results demonstrate that genetic distance in phylogeny and ecological niche occupancy are key determinants in the evolution of ORs, AL structures, odor coding, and behavior. Interestingly, changes in odor coding among species could not be explained by evolutionary changes at a single olfactory processing level but rather are a complex phenomenon based on changes at multiple levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Depetris-Chauvin
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany; Research Group Olfactory Coding, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Diego Galagovsky
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ian W Keesey
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bill S Hansson
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Silke Sachse
- Research Group Olfactory Coding, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany.
| | - Markus Knaden
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, 07745 Jena, Germany.
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6
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Baleba SBS, Mahadevan VP, Knaden M, Hansson BS. Temperature-dependent modulation of odor-dependent behavior in three drosophilid fly species of differing thermal preference. Commun Biol 2023; 6:905. [PMID: 37666902 PMCID: PMC10477191 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05280-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid and ongoing climate change increases global temperature, impacts feeding, and reproduction in insects. The olfaction plays an important underlying role in these behaviors in most insect species. Here, we investigated how changing temperatures affect odor detection and ensuing behavior in three drosophilid flies: Drosophila novamexicana, D. virilis and D. ezoana, species adapted to life in desert, global, and subarctic climates, respectively. Using a series of thermal preference assays, we confirmed that the three species indeed exhibit distinct temperature preferences. Next, using single sensillum recording technique, we classified olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) present in basiconic sensilla on the antenna of the three species and thereby identified ligands for each OSN type. In a series of trap assays we proceeded to establish the behavioral valence of the best ligands and chose guaiacol, methyl salicylate and isopropyl benzoate as representatives of a repellent, attractant and neutral odor. Next, we assessed the behavioral valence of these three odors in all three species across a thermal range (10-35 °C), with flies reared at 18 °C and 25 °C. We found that both developmental and experimental temperatures affected the behavioral performance of the flies. Our study thus reveals temperature-dependent changes in odor-guided behavior in drosophilid flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve B S Baleba
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
- Next Generation Insect Chemical Ecology, Max Planck Centre, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Venkatesh Pal Mahadevan
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
- Next Generation Insect Chemical Ecology, Max Planck Centre, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Knaden
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
- Next Generation Insect Chemical Ecology, Max Planck Centre, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Bill S Hansson
- Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany.
- Next Generation Insect Chemical Ecology, Max Planck Centre, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany.
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7
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Kim H, Kim Y, Roh GH, Kim YH. Comparison of Preference for Chemicals Associated with Fruit Fermentation between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii and between Virgin and Mated D. melanogaster. INSECTS 2023; 14:382. [PMID: 37103197 PMCID: PMC10145260 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Two taxonomically similar Drosophila species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii, are known to have distinct habitats: D. melanogaster is mostly found near overripe and fermented fruits, whereas D. suzukii is attracted to fresh fruits. Since chemical concentrations are typically higher in overripe and fermented fruits than in fresh fruits, D. melanogaster is hypothesized to be attracted to higher concentrations of volatiles than D. suzukii. Therefore, the chemical preferences of the two flies were compared via Y-tube olfactometer assays and electroantennogram (EAG) experiments using various concentrations of 2-phenylethanol, ethanol, and acetic acid. D. melanogaster exhibited a higher preference for high concentrations of all the chemicals than that of D. suzukii. In particular, since acetic acid is mostly produced at the late stage of fruit fermentation, the EAG signal distance to acetic acid between the two flies was higher than those to 2-phenylethanol and ethanol. This supports the hypothesis that D. melanogaster prefers fermented fruits compared to D. suzukii. When comparing virgin and mated female D. melanogaster, mated females showed a higher preference for high concentrations of chemicals than that of virgin females. In conclusion, high concentrations of volatiles are important attraction factors for mated females seeking appropriate sites for oviposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyemin Kim
- Department of Ecological Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-si 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - YeongHo Kim
- Department of Ecological Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-si 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Hyun Roh
- Department of Plant Medicine and Institute of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si 52828, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ho Kim
- Department of Ecological Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-si 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Invertebrate Vector, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-si 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
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8
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Walker WB, Mori BA, Cattaneo AM, Gonzalez F, Witzgall P, Becher PG. Comparative transcriptomic assessment of the chemosensory receptor repertoire of Drosophila suzukii adult and larval olfactory organs. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 45:101049. [PMID: 36528931 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.101049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has emerged within the past decade as an invasive species on a global scale, and is one of the most economically important pests in fruit and berry production in Europe and North America. Insect ecology, to a strong degree, depends on the chemosensory modalities of smell and taste. Extensive research on the sensory receptors of the olfactory and gustatory systems in Drosophila melanogaster provide an excellent frame of reference to better understand the fundamentals of the chemosensory systems of D. suzukii. This knowledge may enhance the development of semiochemicals for sustainable management of D. suzukii, which is urgently needed. Here, using a transcriptomic approach we report the chemosensory receptor expression profiles in D. suzukii female and male antennae, and for the first time, in larval heads including the dorsal organ that houses larval olfactory sensory neurons. In D. suzukii adults, we generally observed a lack of sexually dimorphic expression levels in male and female antennae. While there was generally conservation of antennal expression of odorant and ionotropic receptor orthologues for D. melanogaster and D. suzukii, gustatory receptors showed more distinct species-specific profiles. In larval head tissues, for all three receptor gene families, there was also a greater degree of species-specific gene expression patterns. Analysis of chemosensory receptor repertoires in the pest species, D. suzukii relative to those of the genetic model D. melanogaster enables comparative studies of the chemosensory, physiology, and ecology of D. suzukii.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Walker
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden; USDA-ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA.
| | - Boyd A Mori
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden; Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, 4-10 Agriculture/Forestry Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada.
| | - Alberto M Cattaneo
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.
| | - Francisco Gonzalez
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden; Department of Research and Development, ChemTica Internacional S.A., Apdo. 640-3100, Santo Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica.
| | - Peter Witzgall
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.
| | - Paul G Becher
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.
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Johny J, Diallo S, Lukšan O, Shewale M, Kalinová B, Hanus R, Große-Wilde E. Conserved orthology in termite chemosensory gene families. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1065947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Termites are eusocial insects known to use a variety of pheromones in tasks necessary for maintenance of their societies. As such, olfaction and pheromone communication in termites has been an object of intense study; trail-following pheromones (TFPs) and sex-pairing pheromones (SPPs), for example, have been identified in many termite species. In contrast, the molecular basis of olfactory detection is understudied in the group. Here, we present chemosensory genes of three species of termites belonging to three distinct lineages, Neotermes cubanus (Kalotermitidae), Prorhinotermes simplex (Rhinotermitidae), and Inquilinitermes inquilinus (Termitidae). Using antennal transcriptome screening of termite workers, we identified the chemosensory genes, which allowed us to perform phylogenetic analysis. We found a comparatively large repertoires of odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), odorant binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). The evolutionary analysis of termite chemosensory genes revealed Isoptera-specific expansions with a 1:1 orthologous pattern, indicating the existence of conserved olfactory functions. Our findings on basal eusocial insects will further enhance our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of eusociality and the evolution of olfactory communication in termites.
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Abstract
Among the many wonders of nature, the sense of smell of the fly Drosophila melanogaster might seem, at first glance, of esoteric interest. Nevertheless, for over a century, the 'nose' of this insect has been an extraordinary system to explore questions in animal behaviour, ecology and evolution, neuroscience, physiology and molecular genetics. The insights gained are relevant for our understanding of the sensory biology of vertebrates, including humans, and other insect species, encompassing those detrimental to human health. Here, I present an overview of our current knowledge of D. melanogaster olfaction, from molecules to behaviours, with an emphasis on the historical motivations of studies and illustration of how technical innovations have enabled advances. I also highlight some of the pressing and long-term questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Benton
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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11
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Keesey IW. Sensory neuroecology and multimodal evolution across the genus Drosophila. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.932344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural basis and genetic mechanisms for sensory evolution are increasingly being explored in depth across many closely related members of the Drosophila genus. This has, in part, been achieved due to the immense efforts toward adapting gene-editing technologies for additional, non-model species. Studies targeting both peripheral sensory variations, as well as interspecies divergence in coding or neural connectivity, have generated numerous, tangible examples of how and where the evolution of sensory-driven animal behavior has occurred. Here, we review and discuss studies that each aim to identify the neurobiological and genetic components of sensory system evolution to provide a comparative overview of the types of functional variations observed across both perceptual input and behavioral output. In addition, we examined the roles neuroecology and neuroevolution play in speciation events, such as courtship and intraspecies communication, as well as those aspects related to behavioral divergence in host navigation or egg-laying preferences. Through the investigation of comparative, large-scale trends and correlations across diverse, yet closely related species within this highly ecologically variable genus of flies, we can begin to describe the underlying pressures, mechanisms, and constraints that have guided sensory and nervous system evolution within the natural environments of these organisms.
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