Understanding how morphology evolves requires identifying the types of mutations that contribute to changes in development. We integrated comparative genomics and transcriptomics reconstruct evolution regulation follistatin paralogs relation aphid winged wingless morphs. find different pea duplicates play an essential molecular role both male female wing dimorphisms, linking genetic environmental control morph determination each sex, respectively. also ancestral gene likely had multiple...

A fundamental focus of evolutionary-developmental biology is uncovering the genetic mechanisms responsible for gain and loss characters. One approach to this question investigate changes in coordinated expression a group genes important development character interest (a gene regulatory network). Here we consider possibility that modifications wing network (wGRN), as defined by work primarily done Drosophila melanogaster, were involved evolution dimorphisms pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). We...

Wing dimorphisms have long served as models for examining the ecological and evolutionary tradeoffs associated with alternative phenotypes. Here, we investigated genetic cause of pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) male wing dimorphism, wherein males exhibit one two morphologies that differ in correlated traits include presence or absence wings. We mapped this trait difference to a single genomic region and, using third generation, long-read sequencing, identified 120 kb insertion wingless...

Abstract Aulacorthum solani is a worldwide agricultural pest aphid capable of feeding on wide range host plants. This insect vector plant viruses and causes injury to crops including stunted growth from the loss phloem. We found that publicly available genome for A. contaminated with another species, we produced new using barcoded isogenic laboratory line. generated Oxford Nanopore Illumina reads assemble draft genome, sequenced RNA aid in annotation our assembly. Our 671 Mbp containing...

Understanding how morphological structures evolve via changes to their development is an ongoing pursuit in biology. Comparative approaches examine the expression or function of key developmental molecules (e.g. transcription factors, signaling cellular effectors) within homologous structures, and correlate these with structural divergence across species, populations, sexes, even between different body parts individuals. The female male genitalia Drosophila offer excellent opportunity...

Morphological scaling relationships between organ and body size—also known as allometries—describe the shape of a species, evolution such is central to generation morphological diversity. Despite extensive modeling empirical tests, however, modes selection that generate changes in remain largely unknown. Here, we mathematically model group-level an emergent property individual-level variation developmental mechanisms regulate trait size. We show these "cryptic individual relationship" unique...

Abstract Polymorphic phenotypes have long been used to examine the maintenance of genetic variation within and between species. Most studies focused on persistent polymorphisms, which are retained across species boundaries, their positive effects speciation rates. Far less is known about macroevolutionary impacts more transient also common. Here we investigated male wing polymorphisms in aphids. We estimated phylogenetic history states species, along with several other traits that could...

Host genetic variation plays an important role in the structure and function of heritable microbial communities. Recent studies have shown that insects use immune mechanisms to regulate symbionts. Here we test hypothesis symbiont density among hosts is linked intraspecific differences response harboring We show pea aphids ( Acyrthosiphon pisum ) bacterial endosymbiont Regiella insecticola (but not all other species symbionts) downregulate expression key genes. then functionally link with...

Pigmentation is a morphologically simple but highly variable trait that often has adaptive significance. It served extensively as model for understanding the development and evolution of morphological phenotypes. Abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster been particularly useful, allowing researchers to identify loci underlie inter- intraspecific variations morphology. Hitherto, however, D. abdominal largely assayed qualitatively, through scoring, rather than quantitatively, which...

Alternative, intraspecific phenotypes offer an opportunity to identify the mechanistic basis of differences associated with distinctive life history strategies. Wing dimorphic insects, in which both flight-capable and flight-incapable individuals occur same population, are particularly well-studied terms why how morphs trade off flight for reproduction. Yet despite a wealth studies examining between female morphs, little is known about male differences, could arise from different causes than...

A bstract Aulacorthum solani is a worldwide agricultural pest aphid capable of feeding on wide range host plants. This insect causes mechanical damage to crops and vector plant viruses. We found that the publicly available genome for A. contaminated with another species, we produced new using barcoded isogenic laboratory line. Oxford Nanopore Illumina reads generate draft assembly, sequenced RNA aid in annotation our assembly. Our 671 Mbp containing 7,020 contigs an N50 length 196 kb BUSCO...

A bstract Host genetic variation plays an important role in the structure and function of heritable microbial communities. Recent studies have demonstrated that insects use immune mechanisms to regulate symbionts. Here we test hypothesis symbiont density within hosts is linked intraspecific differences response harboring We show pea aphids ( Acyrthosiphon pisum ) bacterial endosymbiont Regiella insecticola (but not all other species symbionts) suppress expression key genes. then functionally...

Pigmentation is a morphologically simple but highly variable trait that often has adaptive significance. It served extensively as model for understanding the development and evolution of morphological phenotypes. Abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster been particularly useful, allowing researchers to identify loci underlie inter- intraspecific variations morphology. Hitherto, however, D. abdominal largely assayed qualitatively, through scoring, rather than quantitatively, which...