Phenotypic evolution shaped by current enzyme function in the bioluminescent courtship signals of sea fireflies.

ABSTRACT: Mating behaviours are diverse and noteworthy, especially within species radiations where they may contribute to speciation. Studying how differences in mating behaviours arise between species can help us understand how diversity is generated at multiple biological levels. The bioluminescent courtship displays of cypridinid ostracods (or sea fireflies) are an excellent system for this because amazing variety evolves while using a conserved biochemical mechanism. We find that the evolution of one aspect in this behavioural phenotype-the duration of bioluminescent courtship pulses-is shaped by biochemical function. First, by measuring light production from induced bioluminescence in 38 species, we discovered differences between species in their biochemical reactions. Then, for 16 species for

SUBMITTER: Hensley NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6367180 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature