Molecular evolution of dietary shifts in ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): from fungivory to carnivory and herbivory.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dietary shifts are major evolutionary steps that shape ecological niches and biodiversity. The beetle family Coccinellidae, commonly known as ladybirds, first transitioned from a fungivorous to an insectivorous and subsequently a plant diet. However, the molecular basis of this dietary diversification remained unexplored.

Results

We investigated the molecular evolution of dietary shifts in ladybirds, focusing on the transitions from fungivory to carnivory (Coccinellidae) and from carnivory to herbivory (Epilachnini), by comparing 25 genomes and 62 transcriptomes of beetles. Our analysis shows that chemosensory gene families have undergone significant expansions at both nodes of diet change and were differentially expressed in feeding experiments, suggesting that t

SUBMITTER: Huang YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11871716 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature