Regulatory changes in the fatty acid elongase eloF underlie the evolution of sex-specific pheromone profiles in Drosophila prolongata.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pheromones play a key role in regulating sexual behavior throughout the animal kingdom. In Drosophila and other insects, many cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are sexually dimorphic, and some are known to perform pheromonal functions. However, the genetic control of sex-specific CHC production is poorly understood outside of the model species D. melanogaster. A recent evolutionary change is found in D. prolongata, which, compared to its closest relatives, shows greatly increased sexual dimorphism in both CHCs and the chemosensory system responsible for their perception. A key transition involves a male-specific increase in the proportion of long-chain CHCs.

Results

Perfuming D. prolongata females with the male-biased long-chain CHCs reduces copulation success, sugges

SUBMITTER: Luo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12044895 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature