Dynamics of sex-biased gene expression during development in the stick insect Timema californicum.

ABSTRACT: Sexually dimorphic phenotypes are thought to arise primarily from sex-biased gene expression during development. Major changes in developmental strategies, such as the shift from hemimetabolous to holometabolous development, are therefore expected to have profound consequences for the dynamics of sex-biased gene expression. However, no studies have previously examined sex-biased gene expression during development in hemimetabolous insects, precluding comparisons between developmental strategies. Here we characterized sex-biased gene expression at three developmental stages in a hemimetabolous stick insect (Timema californicum): hatchlings, juveniles, and adults. As expected, the proportion of sex-biased genes gradually increased during development, mirroring the gradual increase of phenoty

SUBMITTER: Djordjevic J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9338061 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature