Gene Expression Analysis Provides Insights Into the Functional and Developmental Differentiations of Pleopodal Lungs in a Terrestrial Isopod Crustacean, Porcellio scaber.

ABSTRACT: Acquisition of air-breathing organs was one of the key events in the diversification of arthropods. Among terrestrial arthropods, isopod crustaceans have evolved a unique air-breathing structure called the pleopodal lung, which is located in their abdominal appendages (pleopods), while retaining pleopodal gills. These lungs offer an intriguing model for studying the evolution of respiratory organs during arthropod terrestrialization. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying lung function or development in isopods remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted comparative transcriptomic analyzes using the common rough woodlouse, Porcellio scaber, in which pleopods with and without lungs are adjacent to each other. The results revealed distinct gene expression profiles linked to t

SUBMITTER: Inui N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12664292 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature