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Large-scale characterization of sex pheromone communication systems in Drosophila

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammed A. Khallaf

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
    Faculty of Science, Assiut University
    Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine)

  • Rongfeng Cui

    (Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and CECAD Research Center at University of Cologne
    School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Jerrit Weißflog

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology)

  • Maide Erdogmus

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology)

  • Aleš Svatoš

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology)

  • Hany K. M. Dweck

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
    Yale University)

  • Dario Riccardo Valenzano

    (Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and CECAD Research Center at University of Cologne)

  • Bill S. Hansson

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology)

  • Markus Knaden

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology)

Abstract

Insects use sex pheromones as a reproductive isolating mechanism to attract conspecifics and repel heterospecifics. Despite the profound knowledge of sex pheromones, little is known about the coevolutionary mechanisms and constraints on their production and detection. Using whole-genome sequences to infer the kinship among 99 drosophilids, we investigate how phylogenetic and chemical traits have interacted at a wide evolutionary timescale. Through a series of chemical syntheses and electrophysiological recordings, we identify 52 sex-specific compounds, many of which are detected via olfaction. Behavioral analyses reveal that many of the 43 male-specific compounds are transferred to the female during copulation and mediate female receptivity and/or male courtship inhibition. Measurement of phylogenetic signals demonstrates that sex pheromones and their cognate olfactory channels evolve rapidly and independently over evolutionary time to guarantee efficient intra- and inter-specific communication systems. Our results show how sexual isolation barriers between species can be reinforced by species-specific olfactory signals.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed A. Khallaf & Rongfeng Cui & Jerrit Weißflog & Maide Erdogmus & Aleš Svatoš & Hany K. M. Dweck & Dario Riccardo Valenzano & Bill S. Hansson & Markus Knaden, 2021. "Large-scale characterization of sex pheromone communication systems in Drosophila," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24395-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24395-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Nan-Ji Jiang & Xinqi Dong & Daniel Veit & Bill S. Hansson & Markus Knaden, 2024. "Elevated ozone disrupts mating boundaries in drosophilid flies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Yunpo Zhao & Mohammed A. Khallaf & Emilia Johansson & Najat Dzaki & Shreelatha Bhat & Johannes Alfredsson & Jianli Duan & Bill S. Hansson & Markus Knaden & Mattias Alenius, 2022. "Hedgehog-mediated gut-taste neuron axis controls sweet perception in Drosophila," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Nan-Ji Jiang & Hetan Chang & Jerrit Weißflog & Franziska Eberl & Daniel Veit & Kerstin Weniger & Bill S. Hansson & Markus Knaden, 2023. "Ozone exposure disrupts insect sexual communication," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.

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