What one genus of showy moths can say about migration, adaptation, and wing pattern

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zhang, Jing; Cong, Qian; Shen, Jinhui; Song, Leina; Hallwachs, Winnie; Janzen, Daniel H.; Sourakov, Andrei; Grishin, Nick, V
• 署名单位: University of Texas System; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; University of Texas System; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; University of Texas System; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; University of Pennsylvania; State University System of Florida; University of Florida; University of Texas System; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-9325
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319726121
• 发表日期: 2024-04-23
• 关键词: ornatrix lepidoptera erebidae; utetheisa-ornatrix; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; population-structure; crotalaria; EVOLUTION; detoxification; mechanisms; arctiidae; accuracy

摘要

The Ornate Moth, Utetheisa ornatrix , has served as a model species in chemical ecology studies for decades. Like in the widely publicized stories of the Monarch and other milkweed butterflies, the Ornate Moth and its relatives are tropical insects colonizing whole continents assisted by their chemical defenses. With the recent advances in genomic techniques and evo - devo research, it is becoming a model for studies in other areas, from wing pattern development to phylogeography, from toxicology to epigenetics. We used a genomic approach to learn about Utetheisa's evolution, detoxification, dispersal abilities, and wing pattern diversity. We present an evolutionary genomic analysis of the worldwide genus Utetheisa , then focusing on U. ornatrix . Our reference genome of U. ornatrix reveals gene duplications in the regions possibly associated with detoxification abilities, which allows them to feed on toxic food plants. Finally, comparative genomic analysis of over 100 U. ornatrix specimens from the museum with apparent differences in wing patterns suggest the potential roles of cortex and lim3 genes in wing pattern formation of Lepidoptera and the utility of museum - preserved collection specimens for wing pattern research.