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Consequences of evolutionary transitions in changing photic environments

Tierney, Simon M. ; Friedrich, Markus ; Humphreys, William F. ; Jones, Therésa M. ; Warrant, Eric J. LU orcid and Wcislo, William T (2017) In Austral Entomology 56(1). p.23-46
Abstract

Light represents one of the most reliable environmental cues in the biological world. In this review we focus on the evolutionary consequences to changes in organismal photic environments, with a specific focus on the class Insecta. Particular emphasis is placed on transitional forms that can be used to track the evolution from (1) diurnal to nocturnal (dim-light) or (2) surface to subterranean (aphotic) environments, as well as (3) the ecological encroachment of anthropomorphic light on nocturnal habitats (artificial light at night). We explore the influence of the light environment in an integrated manner, highlighting the connections between phenotypic adaptations (behaviour, morphology, neurology and endocrinology), molecular... (More)

Light represents one of the most reliable environmental cues in the biological world. In this review we focus on the evolutionary consequences to changes in organismal photic environments, with a specific focus on the class Insecta. Particular emphasis is placed on transitional forms that can be used to track the evolution from (1) diurnal to nocturnal (dim-light) or (2) surface to subterranean (aphotic) environments, as well as (3) the ecological encroachment of anthropomorphic light on nocturnal habitats (artificial light at night). We explore the influence of the light environment in an integrated manner, highlighting the connections between phenotypic adaptations (behaviour, morphology, neurology and endocrinology), molecular genetics and their combined influence on organismal fitness. We begin by outlining the current knowledge of insect photic niches and the organismal adaptations and molecular modifications that have evolved for life in those environments. We then outline concepts and guidelines for future research in the fields of natural history, ethology, neurology, morphology and particularly the advantages that high throughput sequencing provides to these aspects of investigation. Finally, we highlight that the power of such integrative science lies in its ability to make phylogenetically robust comparative assessments of evolution, ones that are grounded by empirical evidence derived from a concrete understanding of organismal natural history.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
adaptation, cave, dim-light, genomics, photoreceptors, vision
in
Austral Entomology
volume
56
issue
1
pages
24 pages
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • wos:000397265400003
  • scopus:85008325047
ISSN
2052-174X
DOI
10.1111/aen.12264
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
dd5031c9-114f-444a-b713-a0a57f01bdf4
date added to LUP
2017-02-28 08:53:57
date last changed
2024-08-04 16:51:51
@article{dd5031c9-114f-444a-b713-a0a57f01bdf4,
  abstract     = {{<p>Light represents one of the most reliable environmental cues in the biological world. In this review we focus on the evolutionary consequences to changes in organismal photic environments, with a specific focus on the class Insecta. Particular emphasis is placed on transitional forms that can be used to track the evolution from (1) diurnal to nocturnal (dim-light) or (2) surface to subterranean (aphotic) environments, as well as (3) the ecological encroachment of anthropomorphic light on nocturnal habitats (artificial light at night). We explore the influence of the light environment in an integrated manner, highlighting the connections between phenotypic adaptations (behaviour, morphology, neurology and endocrinology), molecular genetics and their combined influence on organismal fitness. We begin by outlining the current knowledge of insect photic niches and the organismal adaptations and molecular modifications that have evolved for life in those environments. We then outline concepts and guidelines for future research in the fields of natural history, ethology, neurology, morphology and particularly the advantages that high throughput sequencing provides to these aspects of investigation. Finally, we highlight that the power of such integrative science lies in its ability to make phylogenetically robust comparative assessments of evolution, ones that are grounded by empirical evidence derived from a concrete understanding of organismal natural history.</p>}},
  author       = {{Tierney, Simon M. and Friedrich, Markus and Humphreys, William F. and Jones, Therésa M. and Warrant, Eric J. and Wcislo, William T}},
  issn         = {{2052-174X}},
  keywords     = {{adaptation; cave; dim-light; genomics; photoreceptors; vision}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{02}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{23--46}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Austral Entomology}},
  title        = {{Consequences of evolutionary transitions in changing photic environments}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aen.12264}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/aen.12264}},
  volume       = {{56}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}