Intrasexual cuticular hydrocarbon dimorphism in a wasp sheds light on hydrocarbon biosynthesis genes in Hymenoptera

Moris, Victoria C.; Podsiadłowski, Lars; Martín, Sebastián; Oeyen, Jan Philip; Donath, Alexander; Petersen, Malte; Wilbrandt, Jeanne; Misof, Bernhard; Liedtke, Daniel; Thamm, Markus; Scheiner, Ricarda; Schmitt, Thomas; Niehuis, Oliver

doi:10.1101/2021.11.10.467931

Cited by 2 publications

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“…In contrast to Drosophila , where methyl-branched alkanes only comprise a small fraction of their CHC profiles, this particular compound class dominates the CHC profiles in most species of the extensively investigated insect order Hymenoptera [22,23]. However, knowledge on the genetics governing CHC variation in the Hymenoptera is mostly lacking so far except for a few single case studies on Apis mellifera [24,25]. To address this knowledge gap, more suitable model organisms are required to provide a basis for studying the genetic background of CHC production, variation and divergence with particular emphasis on the predominant methyl-branched alkanes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and genomic architecture of species-specific cuticular hydrocarbon variation in parasitoid wasps

et al. 2022

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Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) serve two fundamental functions in insects: protection against desiccation and chemical signalling. How the interaction of genes shapes CHC profiles, which are essential for insect survival, adaptation and reproductive success, is still poorly understood. Here we investigate the genetic and genomic basis of CHC biosynthesis and variation in parasitoid wasps of the genus Nasonia . We mapped 91 quantitative trait loci (QTL) explaining the variation of a total of 43 CHCs in F 2 hybrid males from interspecific crosses between three Nasonia species. To identify candidate genes, we localized orthologues of CHC biosynthesis-related genes in the Nasonia genomes. We discovered multiple genomic regions where the location of QTL coincides with the location of CHC biosynthesis-related candidate genes. Most conspicuously, on a region close to the centromere of chromosome 1, multiple CHC biosynthesis-related candidate genes co-localize with several QTL explaining variation in methyl-branched alkanes. The genetic underpinnings behind this compound class are not well understood so far, despite their high potential for encoding chemical information as well as their prevalence in hymenopteran CHC profiles. Our study considerably extends our knowledge on the genetic architecture governing this important compound class, establishing a model for methyl-branched alkane genetics in the Hymenoptera in general.

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confidence: 99%

Genetic and genomic architecture of species-specific cuticular hydrocarbon variation in parasitoid wasps

et al. 2022

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Decoding the genetic and chemical basis of sexual attractiveness in parasitic wasps

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et al. 2023

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Attracting and securing potential mating partners is of fundamental importance for successfully initiating reproduction and thus assuring the passing of genes to the next generation. Therefore, signaling sexual attractiveness is expected to be tightly coordinated in communication systems synchronizing senders and receivers. Chemical signaling has permeated through all taxa of life as the earliest and most wide-spread form of communication and is particularly prevalent in insects. However, it has been notoriously difficult to decipher how exactly information related to sexual signaling is encoded in complex chemical profiles. Similarly, our knowledge of the genetic basis of sexual signaling is very limited and usually restricted to a few case studies with comparably simple pheromonal communication mechanisms. The present study jointly addresses these two knowledge gaps by characterizing a single gene simultaneously impacting sexual attractiveness and complex chemical surface profiles in parasitic wasps. Knocking down a fatty acid synthase gene in female wasps dramatically reduces their sexual attractiveness coinciding with a drastic decrease in male courtship and copulation behavior. Concordantly, we found a striking shift of methyl-branching patterns in the female surface pheromonal compounds, which we subsequently demonstrate to be the main cause for the greatly reduced male response. Intriguingly, this suggests a potential coding mechanism for sexual attractiveness mediated by specific methyl-branching patterns, whose genetic underpinnings are not well understood despite their high potential for encoding information. Our study sheds light on how biologically relevant information can be encoded in complex chemical profiles and on the genetic basis of sexual attractiveness.

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Intrasexual cuticular hydrocarbon dimorphism in a wasp sheds light on hydrocarbon biosynthesis genes in Hymenoptera

Cited by 2 publications

References 69 publications

Genetic and genomic architecture of species-specific cuticular hydrocarbon variation in parasitoid wasps

Genetic and genomic architecture of species-specific cuticular hydrocarbon variation in parasitoid wasps

Decoding the genetic and chemical basis of sexual attractiveness in parasitic wasps

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