Divergent evolutionary trajectories shape the postmating transcriptional profiles of conspecifically and heterospecifically mated cactophilic Drosophila females.

ABSTRACT: Postmating-prezygotic (PMPZ) reproductive isolation is hypothesized to result from divergent coevolutionary trajectories of sexual selection and/or sexual conflict in isolated populations. However, the genetic basis of PMPZ incompatibilities between species is poorly understood. Here, we use a comparative framework to compare global gene expression in con- and heterospecifically mated Drosophila mojavensis and D. arizonae female reproductive tracts. We find striking divergence between the species in the female postmating transcriptional response to conspecific mating, including differences in differential expression (DE), alternative splicing (AS), and intron retention (IR). As predicted, heterospecific matings produce disrupted transcriptional profiles, but the overall patterns of misregu

SUBMITTER: Diaz F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9391497 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature