Rapid Genomic Evolution Drives the Diversification of Male Reproductive Genes in Dung Beetles.

ABSTRACT: The molecular basis for the evolution of novel phenotypes is a central question in evolutionary biology. In recent years, dung beetles have emerged as models for novel trait evolution as they possess distinct precopulatory traits such as sexually dimorphic horns on their head and thorax. Here, we use functional and evolutionary genomics to investigate the origins and the evolution of postcopulatory reproductive traits in male dung beetles. Male ejaculates that underlie postcopulatory sexual selection are excellent candidates to study novel trait evolution as they are complex, fast evolving, and often highly divergent in insects. We assemble de novo transcriptomes of male accessory glands and testes of a widespread dung beetle, Catharsius molossus, and we perform an evolutionary analysis of

SUBMITTER: Mrinalini 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8382682 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature