A conserved somatic sex determination cascade instructs trait-specific sexual dimorphism in horned dung beetles.

ABSTRACT: Sex-specific trait expression represents a striking dimension of morphological variation within and across species. The mechanisms instructing sex-specific organ development have been well studied in a small number of insect model systems, suggesting striking conservation in some parts of the somatic sex determination pathway while hinting at possible evolutionary lability in others. However, further resolution of this phenomenon necessitates additional taxon sampling, particularly in groups in which sexual dimorphisms have undergone significant elaboration and diversification. Here, we functionally investigate the somatic sex determination pathway in the gazelle dung beetle Digitonthophagus gazella, an emerging model system in the study of the development and evolution of sexual di

SUBMITTER: Mitchell LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11482913 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature