WATER WALKING · Developmental genetics and adaptive bases of a major ecological transition - How to walk on water!
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2015-04-01 → 2017-03-31
- EU contribution
- €194,047
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-IEF
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Results in brief
Developmental genetics and adaptive bases of a major ecological transition - How to walk on water!
The origin of novel phenotypic characters is a key component in organismal diversification, yet the mechanisms and selective forces underlying the emergence of such novelties are largely unknown. In Rhagovelia sp. (genus of water-walking insects) the evolution of a highly elaborate swimming fan on the tarsus of the mid-legs increases their propelling function. This novel adaptive trait allowed Rhagovelia to invade and diversify on running water surfaces; a niche not accessible for most other water-walking insects. We used transcriptomics combined with gene expression and function screens (RNAi) to find genes potentially associated with the evolution of this strikingly novel phenotype. We show that a Rhagovelia specific duplication of a hemiptera-restricted gene is required for fan development and is involved in the evolution of this trait. The knock-down of these duplicates (named geisha and mother of geisha) resulted in the absence or reduction of the fan, which in turn decreased the performance of these individuals in strong current environments. By studying the genetic and adaptive bases of this novel phenotype we showed that a lineage specific duplication of a taxonomically restricted gene is involved in the emergence of a spectacular morphological novelty and consequently the invasion of a novel habitat.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Evolutionary developmental biology has provided invaluable contributions to our understanding of the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic change. Similarly, evolutionary ecology greatly advanced our understanding of the relationship between the phenotype and the environment. To fully understand the evolution of the organismal diversity, a thorough integration of these fields is required, and this remains highly challenging. Semi-aquatic insects (Heteroptera, Gerromorpha) have conquered water surfaces worldwide and represent by far the dominating group of insects in these habitats. Their well-understood ecology of adaptation constitutes the necessary foundation for integrative studies.We will dissect the developmental genetic basis of key morphological adaptations associated with the ecological transition from ground to water surfaces. A morphological character that has been critical to this transition is the evolution of hydrophobic bristles, whose density, morphology, and orientation, allow the trapping of air at the leg–water interface. A second spectacular adaptation, that followed this invasion, is the occupation of running waters by some members of the family Veliidae. This was facilitated by the evolution of a swimming fan on the tarsus of the propelling mid-legs, which greatly enhances their movement on running waters.The objective of this project is to develop a multi-level approach to study how the interplay between developmental genetic pathways and the ecological environment can drive morphological evolution. We will take full advantage of the unique foundation in terms of ecology, diversity, and technical tractability that water-walking insects offer, combined with the use of next generation sequencing along with assays of gene function and organismal fitness. This approach is a critical step forwards in evo-devo and will provide a coupling of molecular function to concrete measure of fitness associated with the phenotype.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE DE LYON · LyonCoordinatorFrance
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union