Sex pheromone evolution is associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of leafroller moths.

ABSTRACT: Chemical signals are prevalent in sexual communication systems. Mate recognition has been extensively studied within the Lepidoptera, where the production and recognition of species-specific sex pheromone signals are typically the defining character. While the specific blend of compounds that makes up the sex pheromones of many species has been characterized, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of pheromone-based mate recognition systems remain largely unknown. We have focused on two sets of sibling species within the leafroller moth genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix that have rapidly evolved the use of distinct sex pheromone blends. The compounds within these blends differ almost exclusively in the relative position of double bonds that are introduced by desaturase enz

SUBMITTER: Albre J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3266893 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature