Developmental Genetics and Evolution of Butterfly Colour Patterns

蝴蝶颜色图案的发育遗传学和进化

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06012
• 负责人: Marcus, Jeffrey
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Manitoba
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=682257
• 关键词: Developmental; Genetics; Evolution; Butterfly; Colour

Species are the fundamental units of biology, but unlike similar units in chemistry and physics, the exact properties that make species different from one another are not fully understood. The goal of evolutionary developmental biology is to understand genetic variation and developmental mechanisms responsible for phenotypic differences between species. The proposed research uses buckeye butterflies (genus Junonia, formerly Precis) as a model for studying the evolutionary genetic and developmental basis for species differences. Colour pattern development in the North American common buckeye butterfly, J. coenia, has been studied extensively.******The genus originated in Africa and it was thought that only 4 Junonia species occurred in the New World. Since 2009, phylogenetic work (much of it from my laboratory) has clarified taxonomy and identified cryptic Junonia species. There are now 10 described New World Junonia species, with others that are yet undescribed (especially in South America). New World Junonia species differ in colour pattern, body size, phenology, flight behaviour, and geographic range. Many species specialize on distinct larval host plants, facilitating the long-term co-occurrence of species in the same habitat. Yet, most Junonia species hybridize readily in captivity and all species can be reared on the same laboratory diet. My laboratory has shown that hybridization and gene flow between Junonia species also occurs in nature. ******These attributes combined with the diverse tools and resources already available in J. coenia (many cloned genes and rapidly increasing genomic resources, methods for hormonal manipulation, developmental perturbation, gene expression, and transgenesis) make this genus an excellent system for understanding speciation and the evolution and development of species differences. The research program focuses on the morphological differences between Junonia species: in particular, our objectives are to identify patterns of evolution and the genetic and developmental basis for variation in body size and colour pattern. Body size strongly influences how butterflies interact with their biotic and abiotic environment, while eyespots have an important role in anti-predator defense. Thus, we will be studying the genetic and developmental basis of ecologically important morphological traits. The scientific approach uses a novel combination of research methodologies to investigate patterns of diversification, hybridization, and the developmental genetic basis for differences in morphology among Junonia species. ******Significance and broader impacts: This research will train highly qualified personnel in cutting-edge experimental techniques to identify the genes, developmental processes, and evolutionary mechanisms responsible for making species different from one other with respect to phenotypic traits of ecological importance. **

物种是生物学的基本单位，但与化学和物理学中的类似单位不同，使物种彼此不同的确切属性尚未完全理解。进化发育生物学的目标是了解物种间表型差异的遗传变异和发育机制。拟议的研究使用七叶树蝴蝶（属Junonia，以前Precis）作为研究物种差异的进化遗传和发育基础的模型。在北美常见的七叶树蝴蝶，J. coenia的颜色模式发展，已被广泛研究。该属起源于非洲，据认为只有4种Junonia出现在新世界。自2009年以来，系统发育研究（大部分来自我的实验室）澄清了分类学，并确定了神秘的Junonia物种。现在有10个新世界Junonia物种被描述，其他物种尚未被描述（特别是在南美洲）。新大陆的Junonia物种在颜色模式、体型、物候、飞行行为和地理范围上都有所不同。许多物种专门针对不同的幼虫寄主植物，促进了物种在同一生境中的长期共存。然而，大多数Junonia物种在人工饲养中很容易杂交，所有物种都可以在相同的实验室饮食中饲养。我的实验室已经表明，Junonia物种之间的杂交和基因流动也发生在自然界中。** 这些属性与J. coenia中已有的各种工具和资源（许多克隆基因和快速增加的基因组资源，激素操纵方法，发育干扰，基因表达和转基因）相结合，使该属成为了解物种形成和物种差异进化和发展的优秀系统。该研究计划的重点是Junonia物种之间的形态差异：特别是，我们的目标是确定进化模式以及体型和颜色模式变化的遗传和发育基础。身体大小强烈影响蝴蝶如何与其生物和非生物环境相互作用，而眼点在反捕食者防御中起着重要作用。因此，我们将研究生态上重要的形态特征的遗传和发育基础。科学方法使用一种新的研究方法组合来调查Junonia物种之间形态差异的多样化，杂交和发育遗传基础的模式。** 意义和更广泛的影响：这项研究将培养尖端实验技术的高素质人员，以确定基因，发育过程和进化机制，这些机制负责使物种在具有生态重要性的表型特征方面彼此不同。**