A5057364994- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Enzyme Production and Characterization
- Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Biological Research and Disease Studies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Insect behavior and control techniques
Wayne State University
2010-2024
University of Exeter
2010
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
1996-1999
Indiana University Bloomington
1996-1999
University of Georgia
1994-1996
As an obligatory parasite of humans, the body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) is important vector for human diseases, including epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, and trench fever. Here, we present genome sequences its primary bacterial endosymbiont Candidatus Riesia pediculicola. The has smallest known insect genome, spanning 108 Mb. Despite status as obligate parasite, it retains a remarkably complete basal repertoire 10,773 protein-coding genes 57 microRNAs. Representing hemimetabolous...
Significance De-repressing appendage growth induces development of ectopic wings on the dorsal prothorax (T1) neopteran insect Oncopeltus . These T1 wings, albeit fully developed, are small and primarily origin. Transcriptome data indicate that incorporation ventrally originating tissue was a key evolutionary innovation for generating large useful T2 T3 wings. Complimentary functional experiments reveal an adjacent thoracic plate not developmentally distinct structures, coregulated to create...
Genes of the homeotic complex (HOM-C) in insects and vertebrates are required for specification segments along antero-posterior axis. Multiple paralogues Hox genes horseshoe crab Limulus poliphemus have been used as evidence HOM-C duplications Chelicerata. We addressed this possibility through a limited PCR survey to sample homeoboxes two spider species, Steatoda triangulosa Achaearanea tepidariorum. The did not provide multiple clusters although we found apparent duplicate copies...
SUMMARY Variations in body pigmentation, encompassing both the range of specific colors as well spatial arrangement those colors, are among most noticeable and lineage‐specific insect features. However, genetic mechanisms responsible for generating this diversity still limited to several model species that primarily holometabolous insects. To address lack knowledge, we utilize Oncopeltus fasciatus , an aposematic hemimetabolous insect, a new study pigmentation. First, determine regulation...
Diversity in insect pigmentation, encompassing a wide range of colors and spatial patterns, is among the most noticeable features distinguishing species, individuals, body regions within individuals. In holometabolous significant portion such diversity can be attributed to melanin synthesis genes, but this has not been formally assessed more basal lineages. Here we provide comprehensive analysis how set genes (ebony, black, aaNAT, yellow, tan) contributes pigmentation pattern hemipteran,...
Differential enlargement of hind (T3) legs represents one the hallmarks insect evolution. However, actual mechanism(s) responsible are yet to be determined. To address this issue, we have now studied molecular basis T3 leg in Oncopeltus fasciatus (milkweed bug) and Acheta domesticus (house cricket). In Oncopeltus, tibia displays a moderate increase size, whereas Acheta, femur, tibia, tarsus all greatly enlarged. Here, show that hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is expressed enlarged segments...
In insects, forewings and hindwings usually have different shapes, sizes, color patterns. A variety of RNAi experiments across insect species shown that the hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is necessary to promote hindwing identity. However, it remains unclear whether Ubx sufficient confer fate insects. Here, we address this question by over-expressing in butterfly Bicyclus anynana using a heat-shock promoter. whole-body over-expression during embryonic larvae development led body plan changes...
Diversification of leg appendages is one the hallmarks morphological evolution in insects. In particular, insect hind (T3) legs exhibit a whole spectrum diversification, ranging from uniform to extremely modified. To elucidate developmental basis T3 evolution, we have examined expression patterns two homeotic genes, Ultrabithorax and abdominal-A (collectively referred as UbdA ), broad range species. First, our results show that hemimetabolous insects localized only specific segments...
The diversity in the organization of tracheal system is one drivers insect evolutionary success; however, genetic mechanisms responsible are yet to be elucidated. Here, we highlight advantages utilizing hemimetabolous insects, such as milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus, which final adult patterning can directly inferred by examining its blueprint embryos. By reporting expression patterns, functions, and Hox gene regulation trachealess (trh), ventral veinless (vvl), cut (ct), key genes...
Although the expression of POU homeodomain gene nubbin (nub) has been examined in several arthropod species, its function studied only Drosophila. Here, we provide first insight into functional roles this a hemimetabolous insect Oncopeltus fasciatus. The analysis using RNAi resulted altered morphology antennae and labial tubes head, legs thorax, and, most notably, growth ectopic appendages originating from abdominal segments A2-A6. This change abdomen can largely be attributed to patterns...
The key morphological feature that distinguishes corbiculate bees from other members of the Apidae family is presence corbicula (pollen basket) on tibial segment hind legs. Here, we show in honeybee ( Apis mellifera ), depletion gene Ultrabithorax Ubx ) by RNAi transforms a smooth, bristle-free concave structure to one covered with bristles. This accompanied reduction pollen press, which located basitarsus and used for packing pellet as well loss orderly arrangement rows bristles form comb....
Summary Previous studies have shown that the gene nubbin ( nub ) exhibits large differences in expression patterns between major groups of arthropods. This led us to hypothesize may evolved roles are unique particular arthropod lineages. However, insects, has been studied only Drosophila . To further explore its role insects general, we analyzed three hemimetabolous insect groups: zygentomans Thermobia domestica , firebrat), dyctiopterans Periplaneta americana cockroach), and hemipterans...
Background Non-traditional model systems need new tools that will enable them to enter the field of functional genetics. These should exploration gene function, via knock-downs endogenous genes, as well over-expression and ectopic expression transgenes. Methodology We constructed a vector called Pogostick can be used over-express or down-regulate genes in organisms amenable germ line transformation by piggyBac transposable element. found at www.addgene.org, non-profit plasmid repository. The...