Research project

Insect egg development in a warming world: the eco-evo-devo of embryonic developmental time

What is the genetic basis of developmental time?

Contact: Maurijn van der Zee
Funding: NWO ENW M2
Partners: Prof. dr. Marcel Visser (NIOO-KNAW)

Description

Climate change is putting insect populations under pressure and especially insect species that overwinter as eggs show strong population declines. To survive climate change, insects need to adapt their embryonic developmental time. In this project, we investigate the genetic basis of developmental time, and the adaptive potential of wild insects. Using selection lines in the model insect Tribolium castaneum, we aim to unravel genetic targets of selection and the genetic basis of developmental time. By investigating wild populations of 12 insect species, we assess whether the same genes play a role in different insects With this knowledge, we can determine if genetic variation is present for these genes in wild insect populations, and aim to predict their adaptability to clime change.

Own work (Shixiong Cheng and Maurijn van der Zee) Creative Commons, CC-BY credit must be given to creator — Tribolium castaneum embryos. The upper embryo is defective in dorsal closure, a crucial stage for developmental timing.

Publications

Cheng S., Jacobs C.G., Mogollón Pérez E.A., Chen D., Sanden J.T. van de, Bretscher K.M., Verweij F., Bosman J.S., Hackmann A., Merks R.M.H., Heuvel J. van den & Zee M. van der (2024), A life-history allele of large effect shortens developmental time in a wild insect population, Nature ecology & evolution 8: 70-82.