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Convergent evolution of a reproductive trait through distinct developmental mechanisms in Drosophila.
- Source :
-
Developmental biology [Dev Biol] 2012 Dec 01; Vol. 372 (1), pp. 120-30. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Sep 26. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Convergent morphologies often arise due to similar selective pressures in independent lineages. It is poorly understood whether the same or different developmental genetic mechanisms underlie such convergence. Here we show that independent evolution of a reproductive trait, ovariole number, has resulted from changes in distinct developmental mechanisms, each of which may have a different underlying genetic basis in Drosophila. Ovariole number in Drosophila is species-specific, highly variable, and largely under genetic control. Convergent changes in Drosophila ovariole number have evolved independently within and between species. We previously showed that the number of a specific ovarian cell type, terminal filament (TF) cells, determines ovariole number. Here we examine TF cell development in different Drosophila lineages that independently evolved a significantly lower ovariole number than the D. melanogaster Oregon R strain. We show that in these Drosophila lineages, reduction in ovariole number occurs primarily through variations in one of two different developmental mechanisms: (1) reduced number of somatic gonad precursors (SGP cells) specified during embryogenesis; or (2) alterations of somatic gonad cell morphogenesis and differentiation in larval life. Mutations in the D. melanogaster Insulin Receptor (InR) alter SGP cell number but not ovarian morphogenesis, while targeted loss of function of bric-à-brac 2 (bab2) affects morphogenesis without changing SGP cell number. Thus, evolution can produce similar ovariole numbers through distinct developmental mechanisms, likely controlled by different genetic mechanisms.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Drosophila Proteins genetics
Drosophila Proteins metabolism
Drosophila melanogaster physiology
Female
Immunohistochemistry
Larva
Morphogenesis genetics
Ovary cytology
Ovary growth & development
Phenotype
Receptor, Insulin genetics
Receptor, Insulin metabolism
Transcription Factors genetics
Transcription Factors metabolism
Drosophila melanogaster genetics
Drosophila melanogaster growth & development
Evolution, Molecular
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1095-564X
- Volume :
- 372
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Developmental biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23022298
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.09.014