Abstract:
How evolution at the cellular level potentiates macroevolutionary change is central to understanding biological diversification. The >66,000 rove beetle species (Staphylinidae) form the largest metazoan family. Combining genomic and cell type transcriptomic insights spanning the largest clade, Aleocharinae, we retrace evolution of two cell types comprising a defensive gland-a putative catalyst behind staphylinid megadiversity. We identify molecular evolutionary steps leading to benzoquinone production by one cell type via a mechanism convergent with plant toxin release systems, and synthesis by the second cell type of a solvent that weaponizes the total secretion. This cooperative system has been conserved since the Early Cretaceous as Aleocharinae radiated into tens of thousands of lineages. Reprogramming each cell type yielded biochemical novelties enabling ecological specialization-most dramatically in symbionts that infiltrate social insect colonies via host-manipulating secretions. Our findings uncover cell type evolutionary processes underlying the origin and evolvability of a beetle chemical innovation.
摘要:
细胞水平的进化如何增强宏观进化变化是理解生物多样化的核心。>66,000个巡回甲虫物种(Staphylinidae)构成了最大的后生动物科。结合基因组和细胞类型转录组学的见解,跨越最大的进化枝,Aleocharinae,我们追溯了两种细胞类型的进化,这些细胞类型包括防御性腺体-葡萄类巨大多样性背后的推定催化剂。我们确定了通过与植物毒素释放系统趋同的机制导致一种细胞类型产生苯醌的分子进化步骤,由第二种细胞类型的溶剂合成,使总分泌物成为武器。自白垩纪早期以来,由于Aleocharinae辐射到成千上万的谱系中,这种合作系统一直得到保护。重新编程每种细胞类型都产生了生化新颖性,从而实现了生态专业化-在共生体中最为明显,共生体通过宿主操纵分泌物渗透到社会昆虫群落中。我们的发现揭示了甲虫化学创新的起源和进化背后的细胞类型进化过程。