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Dos Santos AT, Souza JPA, Jorge IR, Andrade SMM, Rosa BB, Moura MO, Zarbin PHG. Can Pheromones Contribute to Phylogenetic Hypotheses? A Case Study of Chrysomelidae. J Chem Ecol 2023; 49:611-641. [PMID: 37856061 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01450-1] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Pheromones mediate species-level communication in the search for mates, nesting, and feeding sites. Although the role of pheromones has long been discussed by various authors, their existence was not proven until the mid-twentieth century when the first sex pheromone was identified. From this finding, much has been speculated about whether this communication mechanism has acted as a regulatory agent in the process of speciation, competition, and sexual selection since it acts as an intraspecific barrier. Chrysomelidae is one of the major Phytophaga lineages, with approximately 40,000 species. Due to this immense diversity the internal relationships remain unstable when analyzed only with morphological data, consequently recent efforts have been directed to molecular analyses to establish clarity for the relationships and found their respective monophyly. Therefore, our goals are twofold 1) to synthesize the current literature on Chrysomelidae sex pheromones and 2) to test whether Chrysomelidae sex pheromones and their chemical structures could be used in phylogenetic analysis for the group. The results show that, although this is the first analysis in Chrysomelidae to use pheromones as a phylogenetic character, much can be observed in agreement with previous analyses, thus confirming that pheromones, when known in their entirety within lineages, can be used as characters in phylogenetic analyses, bringing elucidation to the relationships and evolution of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aluska T Dos Santos
- Setor de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Brazil
- Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Brazil
| | - João P A Souza
- Setor de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Isaac R Jorge
- Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Samara M M Andrade
- Natural Resources Canada - Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, P6A 2E5, Canada
- Graduate Department of Forestry, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B3, Canada
| | - Brunno B Rosa
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14040-901, Brazil
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maurício O Moura
- Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Paulo H G Zarbin
- Setor de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Brazil.
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Sun W, Lange MI, Gadau J, Buellesbach J. Decoding the genetic and chemical basis of sexual attractiveness in parasitic wasps. eLife 2023; 12:e86182. [PMID: 37431891 PMCID: PMC10435230 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86182] [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: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Attracting and securing potential mating partners is of fundamental importance for reproduction. Therefore, signaling sexual attractiveness is expected to be tightly coordinated in communication systems synchronizing senders and receivers. Chemical signaling has permeated through all taxa of life as the earliest and most widespread form of communication and is particularly prevalent in insects. However, it has been notoriously difficult to decipher how exactly information related to sexual signaling is encoded in complex chemical profiles. Similarly, our knowledge of the genetic basis of sexual signaling is very limited and usually restricted to a few case studies with comparably simple pheromonal communication mechanisms. The present study jointly addresses these two knowledge gaps by characterizing two fatty acid synthase genes that most likely evolved by tandem gene duplication and that simultaneously impact sexual attractiveness and complex chemical surface profiles in parasitic wasps. Gene knockdown in female wasps dramatically reduces their sexual attractiveness coinciding with a drastic decrease in male courtship and copulation behavior. Concordantly, we found a striking shift of methyl-branching patterns in the female surface pheromonal compounds, which we subsequently demonstrate to be the main cause for the greatly reduced male mating response. Intriguingly, this suggests a potential coding mechanism for sexual attractiveness mediated by specific methyl-branching patterns in complex cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles. So far, the genetic underpinnings of methyl-branched CHCs are not well understood despite their high potential for encoding information. Our study sheds light on how biologically relevant information can be encoded in complex chemical profiles and on the genetic basis of sexual attractiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhao Sun
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
| | - Michelle Ina Lange
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
| | - Jürgen Gadau
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
| | - Jan Buellesbach
- Institute for Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Münster, HüfferstrMünsterGermany
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Xue HJ, Niu YW, Segraves KA, Nie RE, Hao YJ, Zhang LL, Cheng XC, Zhang XW, Li WZ, Chen RS, Yang XK. The draft genome of the specialist flea beetle Altica viridicyanea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). BMC Genomics 2021; 22:243. [PMID: 33827435 PMCID: PMC8028732 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a highly diverse and taxonomically challenging flea beetle genus that has been used to address questions related to host plant specialization, reproductive isolation, and ecological speciation. To further evolutionary studies in this interesting group, here we present a draft genome of a representative specialist, Altica viridicyanea, the first Alticinae genome reported thus far. RESULTS The genome is 864.8 Mb and consists of 4490 scaffolds with a N50 size of 557 kb, which covered 98.6% complete and 0.4% partial insect Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs. Repetitive sequences accounted for 62.9% of the assembly, and a total of 17,730 protein-coding gene models and 2462 non-coding RNA models were predicted. To provide insight into host plant specialization of this monophagous species, we examined the key gene families involved in chemosensation, detoxification of plant secondary chemistry, and plant cell wall-degradation. CONCLUSIONS The genome assembled in this work provides an important resource for further studies on host plant adaptation and functionally affiliated genes. Moreover, this work also opens the way for comparative genomics studies among closely related Altica species, which may provide insight into the molecular evolutionary processes that occur during ecological speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai-Jun Xue
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Yi-Wei Niu
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kari A Segraves
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL, 33960, USA
| | - Rui-E Nie
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ya-Jing Hao
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li-Li Zhang
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin-Chao Cheng
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Floor 8, Shunjie Building, 12 Fuqian Road, Nanfaxin Town, Shunyi District, Beijing, 101300, China
| | - Xue-Wen Zhang
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Floor 8, Shunjie Building, 12 Fuqian Road, Nanfaxin Town, Shunyi District, Beijing, 101300, China
| | - Wen-Zhu Li
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Run-Sheng Chen
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xing-Ke Yang
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Wang Y, Zong L, Zhang XY, Ge SQ, Segraves KA, Xue HJ. 3D-printed insect models offer a feasible method for mating studies of chrysomelid beetles. CHEMOECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-021-00345-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Wang X, Verschut TA, Billeter JC, Maan ME. Seven Questions on the Chemical Ecology and Neurogenetics of Resource-Mediated Speciation. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.640486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptation to different environments can result in reproductive isolation between populations and the formation of new species. Food resources are among the most important environmental factors shaping local adaptation. The chemosensory system, the most ubiquitous sensory channel in the animal kingdom, not only detects food resources and their chemical composition, but also mediates sexual communication and reproductive isolation in many taxa. Chemosensory divergence may thus play a crucial role in resource-mediated adaptation and speciation. Understanding how the chemosensory system can facilitate resource-mediated ecological speciation requires integrating mechanistic studies of the chemosensory system with ecological studies, to link the genetics and physiology of chemosensory properties to divergent adaptation. In this review, we use examples of insect research to present seven key questions that can be used to understand how the chemosensory system can facilitate resource-mediated ecological speciation in consumer populations.
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Park SJ, Pandey G, Castro-Vargas C, Oakeshott JG, Taylor PW, Mendez V. Cuticular Chemistry of the Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt). Molecules 2020; 25:E4185. [PMID: 32932681 PMCID: PMC7571174 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cuticular layer of the insect exoskeleton contains diverse compounds that serve important biological functions, including the maintenance of homeostasis by protecting against water loss, protection from injury, pathogens and insecticides, and communication. Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) is the most destructive pest of fruit production in Australia, yet there are no published accounts of this species' cuticular chemistry. We here provide a comprehensive description of B. tryoni cuticular chemistry. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and characterize compounds in hexane extracts of B. tryoni adults reared from larvae in naturally infested fruits. The compounds found included spiroacetals, aliphatic amides, saturated/unsaturated and methyl branched C12 to C20 chain esters and C29 to C33 normal and methyl-branched alkanes. The spiroacetals and esters were found to be specific to mature females, while the amides were found in both sexes. Normal and methyl-branched alkanes were qualitatively the same in all age and sex groups but some of the alkanes differed in amounts (as estimated from internal standard-normalized peak areas) between mature males and females, as well as between mature and immature flies. This study provides essential foundations for studies investigating the functions of cuticular chemistry in this economically important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo J. Park
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.P.); (C.C.-V.); (J.G.O.); (P.W.T.); (V.M.)
- Australian Research Council Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Gunjan Pandey
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.P.); (C.C.-V.); (J.G.O.); (P.W.T.); (V.M.)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Land and Water, Black Mountain, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Cynthia Castro-Vargas
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.P.); (C.C.-V.); (J.G.O.); (P.W.T.); (V.M.)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Land and Water, Black Mountain, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - John G. Oakeshott
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.P.); (C.C.-V.); (J.G.O.); (P.W.T.); (V.M.)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Land and Water, Black Mountain, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Phillip W. Taylor
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.P.); (C.C.-V.); (J.G.O.); (P.W.T.); (V.M.)
- Australian Research Council Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Vivian Mendez
- Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; (G.P.); (C.C.-V.); (J.G.O.); (P.W.T.); (V.M.)
- Australian Research Council Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
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