A5091878217- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Natural product bioactivities and synthesis
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Entomological Studies and Ecology
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
Goethe University Frankfurt
2020-2024
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
2019-2021
University of Jyväskylä
2021
University of Cambridge
2019
Plants and insects often use the same compounds for chemical communication, but not much is known about genetics of convergent evolution signals. The terpene ( E )-β-ocimene a common component floral scent also used by butterfly Heliconius melpomene as an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone. While biosynthesis terpenes has been described in plants microorganisms, few synthases (TPSs) have identified insects. Here, we study recent divergence 2 species, H . cydno , which differ presence )-β-ocimene;...
Understanding the production, response, and genetics of signals used in mate choice can inform our understanding evolution both intraspecific reproductive isolation. Sex pheromones are important for courtship many insects, but we know relatively little their role butterflies. The butterfly Heliconius melpomene uses a complex blend wing androconial compounds during courtship. Electroantennography H. its close relative cydno showed that responses to extracts were not species specific. Females...
Abstract The degree to which loci promoting reproductive isolation cluster in the genome—that is, genetic architecture of isolation—can influence tempo and mode speciation. Tight linkage between these can facilitate speciation face gene flow. Pheromones play a role many Lepidoptera species, endogenously produced compounds as secondary metabolites decreases likelihood pleiotropy associated with barrier loci. Heliconius butterflies use male sex pheromones both court females (aphrodisiac wing...
Abstract Predator-prey interactions are vital for organismal survival. They shape anti-predator mechanisms and often depend on sensory abilities. Tadpoles use chemical cues, such as injury cues (alarm cues), to assess predation risks modify their life-history, morphology, behaviours accordingly. However, the prevalence of chemically mediated responses in species with distinct ecological niches (e.g. within phytotelmata) remains unknown, hindering our understanding significance evolution...
Abstract Many animals exchange chemicals during courtship and mating. In some amphibians, sexual chemical communication is mediated by pheromones produced in male breeding glands that are transferred to the female's nostrils This has been mostly studied salamanders, despite frogs having similar behaviours suggestive of communication. Neotropical poison (Dendrobatidae Aromobatidae), males many species develop their fingers, causing certain fingers visibly swell. also engage cephalic amplexus,...
Abstract Terpenes, a group of structurally diverse compounds, are the biggest class secondary metabolites. While biosynthesis terpenes by enzymes known as terpene synthases (TPSs) has been described in plants and microorganisms, few TPSs have identified insects, despite presence multiple insect species. Indeed, many species, it remains unclear whether sequestered from or biosynthesised de novo . No homologs plant found genomes, though with an independent evolutionary origin Hemiptera...
Abstract Understanding the production, response, and genetics of signals used in mate choice can inform our understanding evolution both intraspecific reproductive isolation. Sex pheromones are important for courtship many insects, but we know relatively little their role butterflies. The butterfly Heliconius melpomene uses a complex blend wing androconial compounds during courtship. Electroantennography H. its close relative cydno showed that responses to extracts were not species-specific....
Abstract Olfaction is the oldest sense in animal kingdom. It used during a multitude of behaviours, such as encounter food, detection predators, recognition habitat‐related cues or communication with conspecifics. While use olfaction and chemical has been studied widely some animals, it barely known others. Anurans (frogs toads), for example, are well to acoustic visual senses, but their still largely understudied. Studies concerning anurans have mostly based on semiochemicals juvenile...
Predator-induced plasticity in life-history and antipredator traits during the larval period has been extensively studied organisms with complex life-histories. However, it is unclear whether different levels of predation could induce warning signals aposematic organisms. Here, we investigated predator-simulated handling affects coloration wood tiger moth larva, Arctia plantaginis . As juveniles, a larger orange patch on an otherwise black body signifies more efficient signal against...
Abstract The degree to which loci promoting reproductive isolation cluster in the genome – i.e. genetic architecture of - can influence tempo and mode speciation. Tight linkage between these facilitate speciation face gene flow. Pheromones play a role many Lepidoptera species, endogenously-produced compounds as secondary metabolites decreases likelihood pleiotropy associated with barrier loci. Heliconius butterflies use male sex pheromones both court females (aphrodisiac wing pheromones)...
The sixth mass extinction, leading to massive biodiversity declines, is currently particularly affecting vertebrates (Ceballos et al., 2015). Amphibians are the most vulnerable vertebrate class, with 41% of species threatened extinction (IUCN, 2022). reasons for amphibian loss diverse, including habitat loss, chytridiomycosis, global warming, overexploitation, invasive species, chemical pollution, illegal trafficking and others (for review see Allentoft & O'Brien, 2010). Most these factors...