Project description:The presence of DNA methylation in beetles (Coleoptera) has only been investigated with bisulfite sequencing of Tribolium castaneum, which produced no evidence of DNA methylation. Here, we used whole genome bisulfite sequencing to assay if DNA methylation was present in another beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. We used T. castaneum as a negative control.
Project description:This series examines gene expression in the anterior midgut at several time points (2, 4, 8, & 16 h) after topical application of juvenile hormone III (JHIII) or acetone (control) to adult beetles of both sexes. Keywords = North American pine engraver beetle Keywords = anterior midgut Keywords = juvenile hormone Keywords = pheromone biosynthesis Keywords = Coleoptera Keywords = Scolytidae Keywords: other
Project description:We report the temporal dynamics of differential gene expression between primed and unprimed beetles infected with the entomopathogen Bt
Project description:Proteomic analysis of the microbiome of beetle intestinal content from wood eating beetles as related to lignocellulose deconstruction and colony subsistence
Project description:Symbiotic microbes can enable their host to access untapped nutritional resources but may also constrain niche space by promoting specialization. Here, we reconstruct functional changes in the evolutionary history of the symbiosis between a group of (semi-)aquatic herbivorous insects and mutualistic bacteria. Sequencing the symbiont genomes across 26 species of reed beetles (Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae) spanning four genera indicates that the genome-eroded mutualists provide life stage-specific benefits to larvae and adults, respectively. In the plant sap-feeding larvae, the symbionts are inferred to synthesize most of the essential amino acids as well as the B vitamin riboflavin. The adult reed beetles' folivory is likely supported by symbiont-encoded pectinases that complement the host-encoded set of cellulases, as revealed by transcriptome sequencing. However, mapping the occurrence of the symbionts' pectinase genes and the hosts' food plant preferences onto the beetles' phylogeny reveals multiple independent losses of pectinase genes in lineages that switched to feeding on pectin-poor plants, presumably constraining their hosts' subsequent adaptive potential.
Project description:This series examines gene expression in the anterior midgut at several time points (2, 4, 8, & 16 h for males, 8 h for females) after topical application of juvenile hormone III (JHIII) or acetone (control) to adult beetles. In addition, gene expression in male anterior midguts were examined 24 h after phloem feeding or in unfed beetles. Keywords: North American pine engraver beetle; anterior midgut; juvenile hormone; pheromone biosynthesis; Coleoptera; Scolytidae Publication reference: Reference Type: Book Section Authors: Tittiger, Claus; Keeling, Christopher I.; Blomquist, Gary J. Year: 2005 Title: Some insights into the remarkable metabolism of the bark beetle midgut. Editor: Romeo, J.T. Book Title: Chemical ecology and phytochemistry of forest ecosystems City: Toronto Publisher: Elsevier Volume: 39 Pages: 57-78 Series Title: Recent Advances in Phytochemistry Keywords: other
Project description:Gut microbes play important roles for their hosts. Previous studies suggest that host-microbial systems can form long-term associations over evolutionary time and the dynamic changes of the intestinal system may represent major driving forces and contribute to insect dietary diversification and speciation. Our study system includes a set of six closely related leaf beetle species (Galerucella spp.) and our study aims to separate the roles of host phylogeny and ecology in determining the gut microbial community and to identify eventual relationship between host insects and gut bacteria. We collected adult beetles from their respective host plants and quantified their microbial community using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that the gut bacteria community composition was structured by host beetle phylogeny, where more or less host-specific gut bacteria interact with the different Galerucella species. For example, the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia was found almost exclusively in G. nymphaea and G. sagittariae. Diversity indicators also suggested that α- and β-diversities of gut bacteria communities varied among host beetle species. Overall, our results suggest a phylogenetically controlled co-occurrence pattern between the six closely related Galerucella beetles and their gut bacteria, indicating the potential of co-evolutionary processes occurring between hosts and their gut bacterial communities.
Project description:This series examines gene expression patterns in the head horns, thoracic horns, and legs of the horned beetles Onthophagus taurus. Expression in each of these tissues was compared to that in common non-appendage reference - abdominal epithelium.