Biochemical basis of specialization for dispersal vs. reproduction in a wing-polymorphic cricket: morph-specific metabolism of amino acids

Journal of Insect Physiology
Zhangwu Zhao, Anthony J Zera

Abstract

The biochemical basis of specializations for dispersal vs. reproduction is an understudied aspect of dispersal polymorphism in insects. Using a radiolabelled amino acid, we quantified differences in in vivo amino acid metabolism between morphs of the wing-polymorphic cricket, Gryllus firmus, that trade-off early age reproduction and dispersal capability. Studies were conducted in crickets fed a variety of diets expected to influence amino acid and lipid metabolism. On the day of molt to adulthood, prior to the morph-specific trade-off between ovarian growth and biochemical preparation for flight (e.g. biosynthesis of triglyceride flight fuel), morphs did not differ in any aspect of amino acid metabolism. However, on day 5 of adulthood, when the morph-specific trade-off between ovarian growth and flight fuel production was manifest, the morphs differed substantially in each of the three aspects of amino acid metabolism studied: conversion to protein, oxidation, and conversion to lipid. Morphs also differed in degree of allocation of products of amino acid metabolism to ovaries vs. the soma. Most importantly, morphs differed in the relative metabolism of radiolabelled glycine through these pathways (i.e. biochemical trade-offs), ...Continue Reading

References

Dec 22, 1999·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·L G Harshman, A A Hoffmann
Apr 4, 2002·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Diane M O'BrienCarol L Boggs
Jul 30, 2002·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Derek Roff
Dec 18, 2002·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Zhangwu Zhao, Anthony J Zera
Jan 1, 1997·Annual Review of Entomology·A J Zera, R F Denno

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Citations

Jan 5, 2011·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Patrick A Guerra
Sep 21, 2011·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Dries BonteJustin M J Travis
Jul 28, 2011·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Elizabeth G KingDaphne J Fairbairn
Nov 23, 2006·Journal of Insect Physiology·Rush H OliverTimothy A Mousseau
Apr 10, 2016·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Marshall D McCueJohn S Terblanche
Oct 17, 2013·The British Journal of Developmental Psychology·Katrin SchulzUdo Rudolph

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