The pivotal role of aristaless in development and evolution of diverse antennal morphologies in moths and butterflies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antennae are multi-segmented appendages and main odor-sensing organs in insects. In Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), antennal morphologies have diversified according to their ecological requirements. While diurnal butterflies have simple, rod-shaped antennae, nocturnal moths have antennae with protrusions or lateral branches on each antennal segment for high-sensitive pheromone detection. A previous study on the Bombyx mori (silk moth) antenna, forming two lateral branches per segment, during metamorphosis has revealed the dramatic change in expression of antennal patterning genes to segmentally reiterated, branch-associated pattern and abundant proliferation of cells contributing almost all the dorsal half of the lateral branch. Thus, localized cell proliferation po

SUBMITTER: Ando T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5785806 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature