Evolution of herbivory in Drosophilidae linked to loss of behaviors, antennal responses, odorant receptors, and ancestral diet

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1424656112
• Publication Date: 2015-01-27T02:56:18Z
• Authors: Benjamin Goldman-...; Robert F. Mitchell; Richard T. Lapoint; Cécile P. Faucher; John G. Hildebrand; Noah K. Whiteman
• Keywords: Melanogaster

Significance The evolution of herbivory in animals is rare but has resulted major adaptive radiations. Its rarity suggests that there are barriers to colonization plants. Behavioral adaptations, involving host plant finding, likely the first evolve during transition herbivory. A recently evolved herbivorous fly species was derived from yeast-feeding ancestors. This fly, unlike its relatives, lost attraction yeast volatiles, ability detect and three genes encode olfactory receptors critical for detecting volatiles Drosophila melanogaster . Loss-of-function mutations may play a role insects, which account nearly 25% all life.