Unraveling genetic, ecological, and epigenetic factors in the development and evolution of complex reproductive structures in insects

• Grant number: 23/14170-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: March 01, 2024 - February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Tatiana Teixeira Torres
• Grantee: Tatiana Teixeira Torres
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Bruno Celso Feltrin Genevcius ; Federico David Brown Almeida

Abstract

Genitalia represent the most divergent and elaborate structures in many animal groups. Their rapid rates of evolution and remarkable anatomical-functional complexity make them outstanding models for studying ecological and evolutionary themes, such as modularity, phenotypic plasticity, and evo-devo. However, there is still limited understanding of the genetic architecture that governs genital morphogenesis during development. This subject is pivotal for comprehending genital evolution as the same genes responsible for development become targets of selection and other mechanisms in evolutionary history. In this project, we propose an eco-evo-devo approach across different scales to unravel the factors (1) genetic, (2) ecological, and (3) the interplay between them (epigenetic) in shaping genital structures during development and their evolutionary implications. In the first part, we will employ high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of pentatomid bug genitalia to investigate the quantity and identity of genes involved in morphogenesis. We will merge this new RNA-seq data with existing datasets for males and females, aiming to explore which gene expression mechanisms are more or less conserved and discern differences between the sexes. In the second part, we will examine how interactions between males of the same species during development, which translate into the potential for competition for females, influence adult genital size through phenotypic plasticity. Additionally, we will conduct RNA-seq experiments to probe potential genes involved in this plastic response. Lastly, we will dissect the epigenomic mechanisms governing gene expression that are involved in genital plasticity using chromatin accessibility sequencing (ATAC-seq). (AU)