Metabolic adaptations in a range-expanding arthropod.

ABSTRACT: Despite an increasing number of studies documenting life-history evolution during range expansions or shifts, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the underlying physiological processes. In this explorative study, we used a metabolomics approach to study physiological changes associated with the recent range expansion of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). Mite populations were sampled along a latitudinal gradient from range core to edge and reared under benign common garden conditions for two generations. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we obtained metabolic population profiles, which showed a gradual differentiation along the latitudinal gradient, indicating (epi)genetic changes in the metabolome in association with range expansion. These changes seeme

SUBMITTER: Van Petegem KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5058527 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature