Sex pheromone evolution is associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of leafroller moths.

peer reviewedChemical signals are prevalent in sexual communication systems. Mate recognition has been extensively studied within the Lepidoptera, where the production and recognition of species-specific sex pheromone signals are typically the defining character. While the specific blend of compounds that makes up the sex pheromones of many species has been characterized, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of pheromone-based mate recognition systems remain largely unknown. We have focused on two sets of sibling species within the leafroller moth genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix that have rapidly evolved the use of distinct sex pheromone blends. The compounds within these blends differ almost exclusively in the relative position of double bonds that are introduced by desaturase enzymes. Of the six desaturase orthologs isolated from all four species, functional analyses in yeast and gene expression in pheromone glands implicate three in pheromone biosynthesis, two Δ9-desaturases, and a Δ10-desaturase, while the remaining three desaturases include a Δ6-desaturase, a terminal desaturase, and a non-functional desaturase. Comparative quantitative real-time PCR reveals that the Δ10-desaturase is differentially expressed in the pheromone glands of the two sets of sibling species, consistent with differences in the pheromone blend in both species pairs. In the pheromone glands of species that utilize (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate as sex pheromone component (Ctenopseustis obliquana and Planotortrix octo), the expression levels of the Δ10-desaturase are significantly higher than in the pheromone glands of their respective sibling species (C. herana and P. excessana). Our results demonstrate that interspecific sex pheromone differences are associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of moths. We suggest that differential gene regulation among members of a multigene family may be an important mechanism of molecular innovation in sex pheromone evolution and speciation

Sex Pheromone Evolution Is Associated with Differential Regulation of the Same Desaturase Gene in Two Genera of Leafroller Moths

Chemical signals are prevalent in sexual communication systems. Mate recognition has been extensively studied within the Lepidoptera, where the production and recognition of species-specific sex pheromone signals are typically the defining character. While the specific blend of compounds that makes up the sex pheromones of many species has been characterized, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of pheromone-based mate recognition systems remain largely unknown. We have focused on two sets of sibling species within the leafroller moth genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix that have rapidly evolved the use of distinct sex pheromone blends. The compounds within these blends differ almost exclusively in the relative position of double bonds that are introduced by desaturase enzymes. Of the six desaturase orthologs isolated from all four species, functional analyses in yeast and gene expression in pheromone glands implicate three in pheromone biosynthesis, two Δ9-desaturases, and a Δ10-desaturase, while the remaining three desaturases include a Δ6-desaturase, a terminal desaturase, and a non-functional desaturase. Comparative quantitative real-time PCR reveals that the Δ10-desaturase is differentially expressed in the pheromone glands of the two sets of sibling species, consistent with differences in the pheromone blend in both species pairs. In the pheromone glands of species that utilize (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate as sex pheromone component (Ctenopseustis obliquana and Planotortrix octo), the expression levels of the Δ10-desaturase are significantly higher than in the pheromone glands of their respective sibling species (C. herana and P. excessana). Our results demonstrate that interspecific sex pheromone differences are associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of moths. We suggest that differential gene regulation among members of a multigene family may be an important mechanism of molecular innovation in sex pheromone evolution and speciation

Diversity and temporal variations of the Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha fauna in the Ajaccio region (France, Corsica)

International audienc

Premières données sur la diversité du genre Psychoda Latreille (Diptera : Psychodidae) en Corse incluant les codes-barres ADN

International audienceAmong the 44 European Psychoda species identified to date, we expected to observe in Corsica species with large distribution ranges and/or that are frequent in adjacent territories (i.e. south mainland France, mainland Italy, and Sardinia). Each studied specimen was morphologically identified and then barcoded using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and subunit II (COII) to confirm its identification, and to detect potential cryptic species. From 211 mounted specimens, 16 Psychoda sensu lato morphotypes were recorded in Corsica and mainland France. While 14 out of the 15 species recorded in Corsica are new records for the island, two species are also new records for France and Europe, P. (Psychodocha) uncinula Quate, 1954 and P. (Chodopsycha) divaricata Duckhouse, 1968. Moreover, our barcoding approach allowed us to detect 18 haplotypes in total, including three undescribed Corsican haplotype complexes, namely P. (Tinearia) alternata, P. (Logima) satchelli and P. (Psychodocha) cinerea. With only mitochondrial COI barcodes, it cannot be asserted whether these complexes represent the within-species coexistence of various haplotypes or the existence of distinct cryptic species. In BOLD (Barcode of Life Datasystems), only 30 out of the 58 barcode indice numéros (BINs) corresponding to the genus Psychoda have a species name. All of the COI barcodes generated in this study already exist in BOLD, suggesting that the barcodes of most of the temperate Psychoda diversity are already known, but not properly named

Size variations of flowering characters in Arum italicum

International audienc

Pollination ecology of Arum italicum (Araceae).

International audienceThe pollination ecology of Arum italicum was studied in south-western France. This plant attracts olfactory dung-breeding flies through deceit. These insects are principally represented by Diptera, all belonging to saprophyte families. The volatilization of the odouriferous compounds, responsible for their attraction, is achieved through the production of heat by the appendix. The insects are trapped for 24 h in order to participate in both sexual phases of the protogynous inflorescence. The male flowers produce three heat events during flowering. These peaks of heat seem to be involved in the spathe movements, since they occur during the opening of the inflorescence and the liberation of the insects. The last male heat event may be linked with the liberation of pollen and its dispersion by stimulating trapped flies. According to their frequency and pollen-load, two Psychoda species appear to be the most efficient pollinators (P. crassipenis and P. pusilla). Nevertheless, each of the other attracted species could play a significant role under different spatio-temporal conditions. Experiments on self-pollination have shown that obligate cross-pollination is necessary for A. italicum to set seeds. Moreover, hand- and natural-pollinated plants showedsimilarly high abortion frequencies suggesting that seed set may be more constrained by resources rather than by pollination limitation

Seed predation in Philodendron solimoesense (Araceae) by chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera).

International audienceThe relationships between Philodendron solimoesense and the larvae of two chalcid wasp species, inhabiting up to 88% of the infructescences, were studied in French Guiana. Exurus sp. (Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae), is a gall maker and its larvae develop at the expense of seeds which are transformed into galls. We estimate that two seeds are necessary for the development of one eulophid. Their impact on plant reproductive success appears to be important, since parasitized fruits produce 60% fewer seeds than nonparasitized fruits and could explain the reduced seed set observed (53%). The larvae of a Sycophila sp. (Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae, Eurytominae) are also present in the fruits of P. solimoesense occupied by eulophid larvae. The eurytomid larvae apparently develop at the expense of about one eulophid and are responsible for the death of 39% of them by direct predation or indirectly by consuming the gall tissues. Eulophids are far more abundant than eurytomids, since parasitized fruits contain an average of 11 eulophids but only one eurytomid. As chalcid wasp emergence takes place in a closed cavity and sex ratios are strongly biased in a given gall, local mate competition may occur as observed for fig wasps within figs