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Convergent Adaptation of Ootheca Formation as a Reproductive Strategy in Polyneoptera
Author(s) -
Erxia Du,
Shuai Wang,
Yigang Luan,
Caisheng Zhou,
Zhaoxin Li,
Na Li,
Shutang Zhou,
Tingting Zhang,
Wentao Ma,
Yingying Cui,
DongWei Yuan,
Chonghua Ren,
Jianzhen Zhang,
Siegfried Roth,
Sheng Li
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
molecular biology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.637
H-Index - 218
eISSN - 1537-1719
pISSN - 0737-4038
DOI - 10.1093/molbev/msac042
Subject(s) - biology , cockroach , vitellogenins , vitellogenin , dictyoptera , chemical defense , convergent evolution , botany , evolutionary biology , zoology , ecology , vitellogenesis , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , phylogenetics , gene , embryo , oocyte , herbivore
Insects have evolved numerous adaptations and colonized diverse terrestrial environments. Several polyneopterans, including dictyopterans (cockroaches and mantids) and locusts, have developed oothecae, but little is known about the molecular mechanism, physiological function, and evolutionary significance of ootheca formation. Here, we demonstrate that the cockroach asymmetric colleterial glands produce vitellogenins, proline-rich protein, and glycine-rich protein as major ootheca structural proteins (OSPs) that undergo sclerotization and melanization for ootheca formation through the cooperative protocatechuic acid pathway and dopachrome and dopaminechrome subpathway. Functionally, OSP sclerotization and melanization prevent eggs from losing water at warm and dry conditions, and thus effectively maintain embryo viability. Dictyopterans and locusts convergently evolved vitellogenins, apolipoprotein D, and laminins as OSPs, whereas within Dictyoptera, cockroaches and mantids independently developed glycine-rich protein and fibroins as OSPs. Highlighting the ecological-evolutionary importance, convergent ootheca formation represents a successful reproductive strategy in Polyneoptera that promoted the radiation and establishment of cockroaches, mantids, and locusts.

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