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Blanckenhorn WU, Baur J, Roy J, Puniamoorthy N, Busso JP, Schäfer MA, Rohner PT. Comparative sexual selection in field and laboratory in a guild of sepsid dung flies. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Blanckenhorn WU, Baur J, Busso JP, Giesen A, Gourgoulianni N, van Koppenhagen N, Roy J, Schäfer MA, Wegmann A, Rohner PT. Sexual size dimorphism is associated with reproductive life history trait differentiation in coexisting sepsid flies. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.07036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wolf U. Blanckenhorn
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Julian Baur
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Juan Pablo Busso
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Athene Giesen
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Natalia Gourgoulianni
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Nicola van Koppenhagen
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jeannine Roy
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Martin A. Schäfer
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Wegmann
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Patrick T. Rohner
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH‐8057 Zürich Switzerland
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Tworzydlo W, Jaglarz MK, Pardyak L, Bilinska B, Bilinski SM. Evolutionary origin and functioning of pregenital abdominal outgrowths in a viviparous insect, Arixenia esau. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16090. [PMID: 31695096 PMCID: PMC6834671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52568-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although pregenital abdominal outgrowths occur only rarely in pterygote insects, they are interesting from the evolutionary viewpoint because of their potential homology to wings. Our previous studies of early development of an epizoic dermapteran, Arixenia esau revealed that abdominal segments of the advanced embryos and larvae, growing inside a mother’s uterus, are equipped with paired serial outgrowths. Here, we focus on the origin and functioning of these outgrowths. We demonstrate that they bud from the lateral parts of the abdominal nota, persist till the end of intrauterine development, and remain in contact with the uterus wall. We also show that the bundles of muscle fibers associated with the abdominal outgrowths may facilitate flow of the haemolymph from the outgrowths’ lumen to the larval body cavity. Following completion of the intrauterine development, abdominal outgrowths are shed together with the larval cuticle during the first molt after the larva birth. Using immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches, we demonstrate that the Arixenia abdominal outgrowths represent an evolutionary novelty, presumably related to intrauterine development, and suggest that they are not related to serial wing homologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waclaw Tworzydlo
- Department of Developmental Biology and Invertebrate Morphology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Mariusz K Jaglarz
- Department of Developmental Biology and Invertebrate Morphology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Laura Pardyak
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Barbara Bilinska
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Szczepan M Bilinski
- Department of Developmental Biology and Invertebrate Morphology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
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4
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Rajaratnam G, Supeinthiran A, Meier R, Su KFY. CRISPR/Cas9 deletions in a conserved exon of Distal-less generates gains and losses in a recently acquired morphological novelty in flies. iScience 2018; 10:222-233. [PMID: 30553946 PMCID: PMC6297884 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Distal-less has been repeatedly co-opted for the development of many novel traits. Here, we document its curious role in the development of a novel abdominal appendage (“sternite brushes”) in sepsid flies. CRISPR/Cas9 deletions in the homeodomain result in losses of sternite brushes, demonstrating that Distal-less is necessary for their development. However, deletions in the upstream coding exon (Exon 2) produce losses or gains of brushes. A dissection of Exon 2 reveals that the likely mechanism for gains involves a deletion in an exon-splicing enhancer site that leads to exon skipping. Such contradictory phenotypes are also observed in butterflies, suggesting that mutations in the conserved upstream regions have the potential to generate phenotypic variability in insects that diverged 300 million years ago. Our results demonstrate the importance of Distal-less for the development of a novel abdominal appendage in insects and highlight how site-specific mutations in the same exon can produce contradictory phenotypes. Distal-less is necessary for the development of a novel abdominal appendage CRISPR/Cas9 editing produced both losses and gains of novel abdominal appendages Gains of appendages result from mutations in exonic splicing enhancer (ESEs) sites ESE mutations likely led to exon skipping and an altered Distal-less protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowri Rajaratnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Rudolf Meier
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Kathy F Y Su
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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5
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Melicher D, Su KFY, Meier R, Bowsher JH. Comparative analysis reveals the complex role of histoblast nest size in the evolution of novel insect abdominal appendages in Sepsidae (Diptera). BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:151. [PMID: 30314458 PMCID: PMC6186081 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1265-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The males of some sepsid species (Sepsidae: Diptera) have abdominal appendages that are remarkable in several ways. They are sexually dimorphic, have a complex evolutionary history of gain and loss, and can be jointed and thus highly mobile. The sternite brushes are used extensively in complex courtship behaviors that differ considerably between species and during mating. The abdominal appendages have a novel developmental pathway developing from histoblast nests rather than imaginal discs. RESULTS We focus on the evolution of cell number, nest area, and segment length in both sexes to understand how this tissue relates to the formation of novel abdominal appendages. We map histoblast nest size of wandering-phase larvae of 17 species across 10 genera to a phylogenetic tree of Sepsidae and demonstrate that abdominal appendages require significant increases of histoblast nest size and cell number in most species while one species produces small appendages even without such modifications. In species with particularly large appendages, not only the nests on the fourth, but nests in neighboring segments are enlarged (Themira biloba, Themira putris). The loss of abdominal appendages corresponds to the loss of an enlarged fourth histoblast nest, although one species showed an exception to this pattern. One species that constitutes an independent origin of abdominal appendages (Perochaeta dikowi) uses an unusual developmental mechanism in that the histoblast nest sizes are not sexually dimorphic. CONCLUSIONS The surprisingly high diversity in histoblast size and degree of sexual dimorphism suggests that the developmental mechanism used for abdominal appendage formation in sepsids is highly adaptable. The presence of appendages usually correlate with increased histoblast cell number and in most cases appendage loss results in a return to ancestral histoblast morphology. However, we also identify several exceptions that indicate the abdominal appendages have a malleable developmental origin that is responsive to selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dacotah Melicher
- U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Station, Bioscience Research Laboratory, 1605 Albrecht Boulevard, Fargo, ND 58102 USA
| | - Kathy F Y Su
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Rudolf Meier
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Julia H Bowsher
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, 1340 Bolley Drive, 218 Stevens Hall, Fargo, ND 58102 USA
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Knyshov A, Hoey-Chamberlain R, Weirauch C. Comparative morphology of male genitalic structures in the minute litter bugs Dipsocoromorpha (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera). J Morphol 2018; 279:1480-1517. [PMID: 30187938 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Insect male genitalia show an evolutionarily variable morphology that has proven to be valuable for both, species identifications and phylogenetic analyses at higher taxonomic levels. Accurate usage of genitalic characters in taxonomic descriptions and phylogenetic analyses depends on consistency of terminology and validity of homology hypotheses. Both areas are underdeveloped in many insect groups. We here document the morphology and advance homology hypotheses of male genitalic features for the hemipteran infraorder Dipsocoromorpha, the minute litter bugs. Genitalic structures and the pregenital abdomen in Dipsocoromorpha are strikingly modified and diverse compared to other Heteroptera. In addition to variation in the shape of phallic structures (parameres and aedeagus), minute litter bug genitalia vary in the direction and degree of asymmetry and feature a plethora of processes derived from various abdominal segments with significant variation at low taxonomic levels. Here, male genitalic structures for an extensive taxonomic sample (32 genera and 71 specimens) are documented using scanning electron and confocal microscopy, and a universal terminology for genitalic structures across minute litter bugs is established that will facilitate species discovery and evolutionary research. We conclude by proposing primary homology hypotheses across the infraorder that now can be tested in a phylogenetic framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Knyshov
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California
| | | | - Christiane Weirauch
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California
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Cerretti P, Stireman JO, Pape T, O’Hara JE, Marinho MAT, Rognes K, Grimaldi DA. First fossil of an oestroid fly (Diptera: Calyptratae: Oestroidea) and the dating of oestroid divergences. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182101. [PMID: 28832610 PMCID: PMC5568141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Calyptrate flies include about 22,000 extant species currently classified into Hippoboscoidea (tsetse, louse, and bat flies), the muscoid grade (house flies and relatives) and the Oestroidea (blow flies, bot flies, flesh flies, and relatives). Calyptrates are abundant in nearly all terrestrial ecosystems, often playing key roles as decomposers, parasites, parasitoids, vectors of pathogens, and pollinators. For oestroids, the most diverse group within calyptrates, definitive fossils have been lacking. The first unambiguous fossil of Oestroidea is described based on a specimen discovered in amber from the Dominican Republic. The specimen was identified through digital dissection by CT scans, which provided morphological data for a cladistic analysis of its phylogenetic position among extant oestroids. The few known calyptrate fossils were used as calibration points for a molecular phylogeny (16S, 28S, CAD) to estimate the timing of major diversification events among the Oestroidea. Results indicate that: (a) the fossil belongs to the family Mesembrinellidae, and it is identified and described as Mesembrinella caenozoica sp. nov.; (b) the mesembrinellids form a sister clade to the Australian endemic Ulurumyia macalpinei (Ulurumyiidae) (McAlpine's fly), which in turn is sister to all remaining oestroids; (c) the most recent common ancestor of extant Calyptratae lived just before the K-Pg boundary (ca. 70 mya); and (d) the radiation of oestroids began in the Eocene (ca. 50 mya), with the origin of the family Mesembrinellidae dated at ca. 40 mya. These results provide new insight into the timing and rate of oestroid diversification and highlight the rapid radiation of some of the most diverse and ecologically important families of flies. ZooBank accession number-urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0DC5170B-1D16-407A-889E-56EED3FE3627.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierfilippo Cerretti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - John O. Stireman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, United States of America
| | - Thomas Pape
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - James E. O’Hara
- Canadian National Collection of Insects, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A. T. Marinho
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Evolução de Diptera, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Ecologia, Zoologia e Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Knut Rognes
- University of Stavanger, Faculty of Arts and Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, Stavanger, Norway
| | - David A. Grimaldi
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, United States of America
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Su KFY, Puniamoorthy J, Özsu N, Srivathsan A, Meier R. Evolutionary analysis identifies multiple genome expansions and contractions in Sepsidae (Diptera) and suggests targets for future genomic research. Cladistics 2016; 32:308-316. [PMID: 34736307 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We here argue that data from comparative studies of genome size and karyotypes provide important information for planning comparative research on genome evolution. We document for 39 species of sepsids that there is a four-fold difference in genome size (151-618 Mbp). Mapping genome sizes onto a phylogenetic hypothesis identifies that this range is the result of five genome expansions and four genome contractions that we here define as changes in genome size of more than 50 Mbp. We then generate karyotype data for 10 species and find no changes in chromosome number. The study reveals that the "Oriental" clade of sepsids is a promising system for studying genome evolution because it has experienced three genome expansion events. These events can be compared with an expansion in the "Neotropical" clade in order to reveal the mechanisms that underlie genome expansion in Sepsidae. A review of the literature on genome sizes and karyotypes reveals that they have been poorly documented in Metazoa. This means that researchers interested in the evolution of genome expansions and contractions are currently not being able to identify appropriate target taxa for genome sequencing. We thus argue for more comparative research on genome sizes and karyotypes and point out that historically species were chosen for genome sequencing for reasons not related to genome evolution (e.g. small genome size, model species status, phylogenetic position, interesting phenotypes). We believe that it is now time to use a more genome-centric selection criterion, where species for whole genome sequencing are selected based on their importance for understanding genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy F Y Su
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Jayanthi Puniamoorthy
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.,California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA.,Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Nesibe Özsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Amrita Srivathsan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Rudolf Meier
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.,Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore, 117377, Singapore
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9
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Lesoway MP. The future of Evo-Devo: the inaugural meeting of the Pan American Society for evolutionary developmental biology. Evol Dev 2016; 18:71-7. [PMID: 26773456 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
What is the future of evolutionary developmental biology? This question and more were discussed at the inaugural meeting for the Pan American Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology, held August 5-9, 2015, in Berkeley, California, USA. More than 300 participants attended the first meeting of the new society, representing the current diversity of Evo-Devo. Speakers came from throughout the Americas, presenting work using an impressive range of study systems, techniques, and approaches. Current research draws from themes including the role of gene regulatory networks, plasticity and the role of the environment, novelty, population genetics, and regeneration, using new and emerging techniques as well as traditional tools. Multiple workshops and a discussion session covered subjects both practical and theoretical, providing an opportunity for members to discuss the current challenges and future directions for Evo-Devo. The excitement and discussion generated over the course of the meeting demonstrates the current dynamism of the field, suggesting that the future of Evo-Devo is bright indeed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryna P Lesoway
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Dr Penfield, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A-1B1.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panama
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10
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Herath B, Dochtermann NA, Johnson JI, Leonard Z, Bowsher JH. Selection on bristle length has the ability to drive the evolution of male abdominal appendages in the sepsid fly Themira biloba. J Evol Biol 2015; 28:2308-17. [PMID: 26356143 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many exaggerated and novel traits are strongly influenced by sexual selection. Although sexual selection is a powerful evolutionary force, underlying genetic interactions can constrain evolutionary outcomes. The relative strength of selection vs. constraint has been a matter of debate for the evolution of male abdominal appendages in sepsid flies. These abdominal appendages are involved in courtship and mating, but their function has not been directly tested. We performed mate choice experiments to determine whether sexual selection acts on abdominal appendages in the sepsid Themira biloba. We tested whether appendage bristle length influenced successful insemination by surgically trimming the bristles. Females paired with males that had shortened bristles laid only unfertilized eggs, indicating that long bristles are necessary for successful insemination. We also tested whether the evolution of bristle length was constrained by phenotypic correlations with other traits. Analyses of phenotypic covariation indicated that bristle length was highly correlated with other abdominal appendage traits, but was not correlated with abdominal sternite size. Thus, abdominal appendages are not exaggerated traits like many sexual ornaments, but vary independently from body size. At the same time, strong correlations between bristle length and appendage length suggest that selection on bristle length is likely to result in a correlated increase in appendage length. Bristle length is under sexual selection in T. biloba and has the potential to evolve independently from abdomen size.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Herath
- Department of Biological Sciences, NDSU Dept 2715, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - N A Dochtermann
- Department of Biological Sciences, NDSU Dept 2715, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - J I Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, NDSU Dept 2715, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Z Leonard
- Department of Biological Sciences, NDSU Dept 2715, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - J H Bowsher
- Department of Biological Sciences, NDSU Dept 2715, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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12
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Puniamoorthy N. Behavioural barriers to reproduction may evolve faster than sexual morphology among populations of a dung fly (Sepsidae). Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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13
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Non-sexual abdominal appendages in adult insects challenge a 300 million year old bauplan. Curr Biol 2014; 24:R16-R17. [PMID: 24405669 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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14
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Cerretti P, Di Giulio A, Romani R, Inclan DJ, Whitmore D, Di Giovanni F, Scalici M, Minelli A. First report of exocrine epithelial glands in oestroid flies: the tachinid sexual patches (Diptera: Oestroidea: Tachinidae). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pierfilippo Cerretti
- DAFNAE-Entomologia; Università degli Studi di Padova; Viale dell'Università 16 Legnaro I 35020 Italy
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘Charles Darwin’; ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma; Piazzale A. Moro 5 Rome I 00185 Italy
| | - Andrea Di Giulio
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università degli Studi ‘Roma Tre’; Viale G. Marconi 446 Rome I 00146 Italy
| | - Roberto Romani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari e Ambientali; Università degli Studi di Perugia; Borgo XX Giugno 74 Perugia I 06121 Italy
| | - Diego J. Inclan
- DAFNAE-Entomologia; Università degli Studi di Padova; Viale dell'Università 16 Legnaro I 35020 Italy
| | - Daniel Whitmore
- Department of Life Sciences; Natural History Museum; Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD UK
| | - Filippo Di Giovanni
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘Charles Darwin’; ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma; Piazzale A. Moro 5 Rome I 00185 Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università degli Studi ‘Roma Tre’; Viale G. Marconi 446 Rome I 00146 Italy
| | - Alessandro Minelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università degli Studi di Padova; Via Ugo Bassi 58B Padova I 35131 Italy
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Araujo DP, Tuan MJM, Yew JY, Meier R. Analysing small insect glands with UV-LDI MS: high-resolution spatial analysis reveals the chemical composition and use of the osmeterium secretion in Themira superba (Sepsidae: Diptera). J Evol Biol 2014; 27:1744-50. [PMID: 24848999 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
For many insect species, pheromones are important communication tools, but chemical analysis and experimental study can be technically challenging because they require the detection and handling of complex chemicals in small quantities. One drawback of traditional mass spectrometry methods such as gas chromatography mass spectrometry is that whole-body extractions from one to several hundred individuals are required, with the consequence that intra- and interindividual differences cannot be detected. Here, we used the recently introduced UV-LDI MS (ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry) to profile the 'osmeterium' of the sepsid fly Themira superba that is located on the edge of the hind tibia of males. Based on analyses of individual legs, we established that the gland produced a secretion that consisted of oxygenated hydrocarbons and putative isoprenoids. The secretion was first detected 24 h after eclosion, and its transfer to the wings of females during mating was demonstrated using UV-LDI MS. We then tested whether the secretion had an anti-aphrodisiac function, but experimental transfer of the secretion to virgin females did not affect mating success or copulation duration. Throughout the study, UV-LDI MS proved invaluable, because it allowed tracking the natural and experimental transfer of small quantities of pheromones to specific body parts of small flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Araujo
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore, Singapore
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16
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Melicher D, Torson AS, Dworkin I, Bowsher JH. A pipeline for the de novo assembly of the Themira biloba (Sepsidae: Diptera) transcriptome using a multiple k-mer length approach. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:188. [PMID: 24621177 PMCID: PMC4008362 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Sepsidae family of flies is a model for investigating how sexual selection shapes courtship and sexual dimorphism in a comparative framework. However, like many non-model systems, there are few molecular resources available. Large-scale sequencing and assembly have not been performed in any sepsid, and the lack of a closely related genome makes investigation of gene expression challenging. Our goal was to develop an automated pipeline for de novo transcriptome assembly, and to use that pipeline to assemble and analyze the transcriptome of the sepsid Themira biloba. RESULTS Our bioinformatics pipeline uses cloud computing services to assemble and analyze the transcriptome with off-site data management, processing, and backup. It uses a multiple k-mer length approach combined with a second meta-assembly to extend transcripts and recover more bases of transcript sequences than standard single k-mer assembly. We used 454 sequencing to generate 1.48 million reads from cDNA generated from embryo, larva, and pupae of T. biloba and assembled a transcriptome consisting of 24,495 contigs. Annotation identified 16,705 transcripts, including those involved in embryogenesis and limb patterning. We assembled transcriptomes from an additional three non-model organisms to demonstrate that our pipeline assembled a higher-quality transcriptome than single k-mer approaches across multiple species. CONCLUSIONS The pipeline we have developed for assembly and analysis increases contig length, recovers unique transcripts, and assembles more base pairs than other methods through the use of a meta-assembly. The T. biloba transcriptome is a critical resource for performing large-scale RNA-Seq investigations of gene expression patterns, and is the first transcriptome sequenced in this Dipteran family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dacotah Melicher
- />Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, 1340 Bolley Drive, 218 Stevens Hall, Fargo, ND 58102 USA
| | - Alex S Torson
- />Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, 1340 Bolley Drive, 218 Stevens Hall, Fargo, ND 58102 USA
| | - Ian Dworkin
- />Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, 328 Giltner Hall, East Lansing, MI 48823 USA
| | - Julia H Bowsher
- />Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, 1340 Bolley Drive, 218 Stevens Hall, Fargo, ND 58102 USA
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17
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Rohner PT, Ang Y, Lei Z, Puniamoorthy N, Blanckenhorn WU, Meier R. Genetic data confirm the species status of Sepsis nigripes Meigen (Diptera : Sepsidae) and adds one species to the Alpine fauna while questioning the synonymy of Sepsis helvetica Munari. INVERTEBR SYST 2014. [DOI: 10.1071/is14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Due to their interesting biology, conspicuous sexual dimorphism and the ability to conduct experiments on species that breed under laboratory condition, sepsid flies (Diptera : Sepsidae) are becoming increasingly important model organisms in evolutionary biology. Accurate species boundaries and well supported phylogenetic hypotheses are thus of interest to many biologists. Here we resolve the conflict surrounding the taxonomic status of the European Sepsis nigripes Meigen, 1826, which is shown to be a valid species using morphological and molecular data applied to multiple species concepts. The species is also placed onto a phylogenetic tree for the genus Sepsis that includes most European and North American species. In addition, we assess the genetic variability between two populations of the Holarctic Sepsis luteipes Melander & Spuler, 1917 from Europe and North America and find conflicting evidence between morphology and DNA sequences. Different species concepts here yield different inferences, and if two species were to be accepted based on molecular data, Sepsis helvetica Munari, 1985 from Europe would have to be resurrected from synonymy. We provide high-resolution images for all species in order to aid in accurate identification. Both species are also added to Sepsidnet, the digital reference collection for Sepsidae (http://sepsidnet-rmbr.nus.edu.sg). Lastly, we discuss a field site in the Swiss Alps where 12 species of Sepsis occur sympatrically on the same pasture.
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18
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Ang Y, Wong LJ, Meier R. Using seemingly unnecessary illustrations to improve the diagnostic usefulness of descriptions in taxonomy-a case study on Perochaeta orientalis (Diptera, Sepsidae). Zookeys 2013:9-27. [PMID: 24363567 PMCID: PMC3867187 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.355.6013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species descriptions, especially older ones, consist mostly of text and have few illustrations. Only the most conspicuous morphological features needed for species diagnosis and delimitation at the time of description are illustrated. Such descriptions can quickly become inadequate when new species or characters are discovered. We propose that descriptions should become more data-rich by presenting a large amount of images and illustrations to cover as much morphology as possible; these descriptions are more likely to remain adequate over time because their large amounts of visual data could capture character systems that may become important in the future. Such an approach can now be quickly and easily achieved given that high-quality digital photography is readily available. Here, we re-describe the sepsid fly Perochaeta orientalis (de Meijere 1913) (Diptera, Sepsidae) which has suffered from inadequate descriptions in the past, and use photomicrography, scanning electron microscopy and videography to document its external morphology and mating behaviour. All images and videos are embedded within the electronic publication. We discuss briefly benefits and problems with our approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Ang
- Evolutionary Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Ling Jing Wong
- Evolutionary Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Rudolf Meier
- Evolutionary Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
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Zhao L, Annie ASH, Amrita S, Yi SKF, Rudolf M. Does better taxon sampling help? A new phylogenetic hypothesis for Sepsidae (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha) based on 50 new taxa and the same old mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2013; 69:153-64. [PMID: 23707858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 05/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We here present a phylogenetic hypothesis for Sepsidae (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha), a group of schizophoran flies with ca. 320 described species that is widely used in sexual selection research. The hypothesis is based on five nuclear and five mitochondrial markers totaling 8813 bp for ca. 30% of the diversity (105 sepsid taxa) and - depending on analysis - six or nine outgroup species. Maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML), and Bayesian inferences (BI) yield overall congruent, well-resolved, and supported trees that are largely unaffected by three different ways to partition the data in BI and ML analyses. However, there are also five areas of uncertainty that affect suprageneric relationships where different analyses yield alternate topologies and MP and ML trees have significant conflict according to Shimodaira-Hasegawa tests. Two of these were already affected by conflict in a previous analysis that was based on the same genes and a subset of 69 species. The remaining three involve newly added taxa or genera whose relationships were previously resolved with low support. We thus find that the denser taxon sample in the present analysis does not reduce the topological conflict that had been identified previously. The present study nevertheless presents a significant contribution to the understanding of sepsid relationships in that 50 additional taxa from 18 genera are added to the Tree-of-Life of Sepsidae and that the placement of most taxa is well supported and robust to different tree reconstruction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Dr 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
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