The PGI enzyme system and fitness response to temperature as a measure of environmental tolerance in an invasive species.

ABSTRACT: In the field of invasion ecology, the determination of a species' environmental tolerance, is a key parameter in the prediction of its potential distribution, particularly in the context of global warming. In poikilothermic species such as insects, temperature is often considered the most important abiotic factor that affects numerous life-history and fitness traits through its effect on metabolic rate. Therefore the response of an insect to challenging temperatures may provide key information as to its climatic and therefore spatial distribution. Variation in the phosphoglucose-6-isomerase (PGI) metabolic enzyme-system has been proposed in some insects to underlie their relative fitness, and is recognised as a key enzyme in their thermal adaptation. However, in this context it has not bee

SUBMITTER: Lefort MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4250065 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature