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    Molecular Mechanisms and Rapid Adaptation of Photoperiodic Diapause in the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus

    Cover for Molecular Mechanisms and Rapid Adaptation of Photoperiodic Diapause in the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus
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    View/Open: Batz Dissertation - Supplemental Tables.xlsx (1.2MB)

    Creator
    Batz, Zachary Aaron
    Advisor
    Armbruster, Peter A
    ORCID
    0000-0002-4483-2402
    Abstract
    Phenotypic plasticity allows organisms to respond to environmental variation over space and time by altering their physiology, morphology, development, and/or behavior. A fundamental aim of biology is to elucidate the adaptive significance and molecular mechanisms of these plastic responses. Among insects, photoperiodic diapause is a crucial manifestation of phenotypic plasticity in which day length provides an anticipatory cue that initiates dormancy in advance of seasonally-unfavorable conditions. Repeated evolution of diapause across taxa has enabled insect populations to persist in seasonally-variable environments and helps define the spatiotemporal distribution of populations.
     
    Despite the clear adaptive significance of diapause, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of diapause regulation. The first two chapters of my dissertation utilize emerging “omics” approaches – transcriptomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics – to characterize the molecular mechanisms of diapause. In these chapters, I found that microRNAs may contribute to transcriptional regulation of diapause maintenance in Ae. albopictus but are unlikely to play a significant role in transgenerational diapause induction. Additionally, I identified widespread alterations in lipid metabolism during diapause as well as an intriguing set of diapause-specific metabolites that warrant future research attention.
     
    Across latitudes, strong selection on diapause phenology reduces environmental differences experienced by geographically-disparate populations during the growing season. In contrast, non-growing season conditions (i.e., while in diapause) often vary dramatically among populations and therefore traits expressed during diapause may undergo local adaptation. However, geographic variation for traits expressed during diapause is poorly characterized and no previous study has documented the rate at which these traits may diverge in nature. In my third chapter, I examined recent invasive populations of Ae. albopictus to measure divergence in diapause-associated traits. I documented rapid (
     
    By combining emerging biotechnologies with classic phenotypic assays, my research significantly advances our understanding of the molecular basis and geographic adaptation of diapause. Ultimately, my thesis highlights the interconnected nature of this crucial adaptation, identifying molecular mechanisms orchestrated across transcriptional and metabolic levels as well as a suite of diapause-associated traits undergoing coordinated divergence across populations.
     
    Description
    Ph.D.
    Permanent Link
    http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1056030
    Date Published
    2019
    Subject
    Aedes albopictus; Diapause; Invasion biology; Metabolomics; microRNA; Rapid adaptation; Biology; Evolution (Biology); Ecology; Biology; Evolution & development; Ecology;
    Type
    thesis
    Embargo Lift Date
    2020-09-17
    Publisher
    Georgetown University
    Extent
    181 leaves
    Collections
    • Graduate Theses and Dissertations - Biology
    Metadata
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      Molecular, physiological and life-history mechanisms of adaptation during range expansion of the mosquito Aedes albopictus 

      Urbanski, Jennifer M. (Georgetown University, 2011)
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    Georgetown University Seal
    ©2009 - 2022 Georgetown University Library
    37th & O Streets NW
    Washington DC 20057-1174
    202.687.7385
    digitalscholarship@georgetown.edu
    Accessibility