| Title: | "Wax, sex and the origin of species: Dual roles of insect cuticular hydrocarbons in adaptation and mating" |
| Address: | "Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin, WI, USA" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1521-1878 (Electronic) 0265-9247 (Print) 0265-9247 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Evolutionary changes in traits that affect both ecological divergence and mating signals could lead to reproductive isolation and the formation of new species. Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are potential examples of such dual traits. They form a waxy layer on the cuticle of the insect to maintain water balance and prevent desiccation, while also acting as signaling molecules in mate recognition and chemical communication. Because the synthesis of these hydrocarbons in insect oenocytes occurs through a common biochemical pathway, natural or sexual selection on one role may affect the other. In this review, we explore how ecological divergence in insect CHCs can lead to divergence in mating signals and reproductive isolation. We suggest that the evolution of insect CHCs may be ripe models for understanding ecological speciation" |
| Keywords: | "Adaptation, Biological Animals Biosynthetic Pathways Bodily Secretions/physiology Genetic Speciation Insect Hormones/physiology Insecta/*physiology Reproduction Sex Attractants/physiology chemical communication cuticular hydrocarbons desiccation ecologica;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineChung, Henry Carroll, Sean B eng Howard Hughes Medical Institute/ Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review 2015/05/20 Bioessays. 2015 Jul; 37(7):822-30. doi: 10.1002/bies.201500014. Epub 2015 May 19" |
