Quantity matters: male sex pheromone signals mate quality in the parasitic wasp
            <i>Nasonia vitripennis</i>

Rüther, Joachim; Matschke, Michael; Garbe, Leif‐Alexander; Steiner, Sven

doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0738

Cited by 85 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 59 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Linoleic acid is an essential unsaturated fatty acid in other insects that lack Δ12-desaturase activity, and in Nasonia it is the precursor of the male-derived sex pheromone (4R,5R)-and (4R,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-decanolides, which is highly attractive to virgin females (36,37). Male mating success positively correlates with the amount of pheromone that they produce (38), which likely explains the high levels of expression of these genes. We checked the expression profile in the 15 desaturase genes and found an interesting sex-biased pattern: five genes displayed eightfold or more sex-biased expression and the remaining 10 genes are either unbiased or only slightly biased, with a less-than-fourfold sex difference ( Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and epigenetic architecture of sex-biased expression in the jewel wasps Nasonia vitripennis and giraulti

Wang

Werren

Clark

2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is extraordinary diversity in sexual dimorphism (SD) among animals, but little is known about its epigenetic basis. To study the epigenetic architecture of SD in a haplodiploid system, we performed RNA-seq and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of adult females and males from two closely related parasitoid wasps, Nasonia vitripennis and Nasonia giraulti. More than 75% of expressed genes displayed significantly sex-biased expression. As a consequence, expression profiles are more similar between species within each sex than between sexes within each species. Furthermore, extremely male-and female-biased genes are enriched for totally different functional categories: male-biased genes for key enzymes in sexpheromone synthesis and female-biased genes for genes involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Remarkably, just 70 highly expressed, extremely male-biased genes account for 10% of all transcripts in adult males. Unlike expression profiles, DNA methylomes are highly similar between sexes within species, with no consistent sex differences in methylation found. Therefore, methylation changes cannot explain the extensive level of sex-biased gene expression observed. Female-biased genes have smaller sequence divergence between species, higher conservation to other hymenopterans, and a broader expression range across development. Overall, female-biased genes have been recruited from genes with more conserved and broadly expressing "house-keeping" functions, whereas male-biased genes are more recently evolved and are predominately testis specific. In summary, Nasonia accomplish a striking degree of sex-biased expression without sex chromosomes or epigenetic differences in methylation. We propose that methylation provides a general signal for constitutive gene expression, whereas other sex-specific signals cause sex-biased gene expression.sex-biased expression | DNA methylation | RNA-seq | WGBS-seq | fatty acid desaturase

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and epigenetic architecture of sex-biased expression in the jewel wasps Nasonia vitripennis and giraulti

Wang

Werren

Clark

2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…An increase in signal quantity can also be informative to others, if the emission of the chemical is predictably linked to the quality of the sender [47]. The moth Utetheisa ornatrix acquires protection by sequestering pyrolizidine alkaloids from host plants.…”

Section: From Cues To Signals-distinct Evolutionary Trajectories Of Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

The origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer

2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although chemical communication is the most widespread form of communication, its evolution and diversity are not well understood. By integrating studies of a wide range of terrestrial plants and animals, we show that many chemicals are emitted, which can unintentionally provide information (cues) and, therefore, act as direct precursors for the evolution of intentional communication (signals). Depending on the content, design and the original function of the cue, there are predictable ways that selection can enhance the communicative function of chemicals. We review recent progress on how efficacybased selection by receivers leads to distinct evolutionary trajectories of chemical communication.Because the original function of a cue may channel but also constrain the evolution of functional communication, we show that a broad perspective on multiple selective pressures acting upon chemicals provides important insights into the origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer. Finally, we argue that integrating chemical ecology into communication theory may significantly enhance our understanding of the evolution, the design and the content of signals in general.

show abstract

“…Recent empirical investigations suggest that animals base their choice of mate on chemical traits that are indicators of direct benefits, viability or attractiveness genes and/or genetic compatibility [1][2][3]. In the wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, for example, the quantity of the sex pheromone reliably reflects a male's sperm number and females prefer males with higher pheromone titres to obtain a full sperm load [9,10]. In the cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, on the other hand, mate choice appears to be partly based on genetic compatibility, as individuals preferentially mate with partners who share more dissimilar cuticular hydrocarbon profiles and similarity in cuticular hydrocarbon patterns between mating pairs correlates with their genetic similarity [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond species recognition: somatic state affects long-distance sex pheromone communication

Chemnitz¹,

Jentschke²,

Ayasse³

et al. 2015

Proc. R. Soc. B.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Long-range sex pheromones have been subjected to substantial research with a particular focus on their biosynthesis, peripheral perception, central processing and the resulting orientation behaviour of perceivers. Fundamental to the research on sex attractants was the assumption that they primarily coordinate species recognition. However, especially when they are produced by the less limiting sex (usually males), the evolution of heightened condition dependence might be expected and long-range sex pheromones might, therefore, also inform about a signaller's quality. Here we provide, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive study of the role of a male's long-range pheromone in mate choice that combines chemical analyses, video observations and field experiments with a multifactorial manipulation of males' condition. We show that the emission of the long-distance sex pheromone of the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides is highly condition-dependent and reliably reflects nutritional state, age, body size and parasite load-key components of an individual's somatic state. Both, the quantity and ratio of the pheromone components were affected but the time invested in pheromone emission was largely unaffected by a male's condition. Moreover, the variation in pheromone emission caused by the variation in condition had a strong effect on the attractiveness of males in the field, with males in better nutritional condition, of older age, larger body size and bearing less parasites being more attractive. That a single pheromone is influenced by so many aspects of the somatic state and causes such variation in a male's attractiveness under field conditions was hitherto unknown and highlights the need to integrate indicator models of sexual selection into pheromone research.

show abstract

Quantity matters: male sex pheromone signals mate quality in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis

Cited by 85 publications

References 59 publications

Genetic and epigenetic architecture of sex-biased expression in the jewel wasps Nasonia vitripennis and giraulti

Genetic and epigenetic architecture of sex-biased expression in the jewel wasps Nasonia vitripennis and giraulti

The origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer

Beyond species recognition: somatic state affects long-distance sex pheromone communication

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About