Sour or Simple: Molecular aspects of pheromone communication in moths

David Abraham, Pheromone group

The acetate-type pheromone components are common among most moth superfamilies, while hydrocarbon-type pheromone components are restricted to Geometridae, Noctuidae, Lymantridae and Arctidae (see figure 1).

The topics that are included in my thesis work are based on these issues:

Molecular phylogeny of the subfamilies in Geometridae
Reception of pheromones: differences in gOBPs and PBPs between the two pheromone systems
Emission of pheromones: Differences in Pheromone Binding Activating Neropeptides (PBAN)
Isolation of genes coding for pheromone biosynthesis enzymes specific to acetate/hydrocarbon type pheromone systems

Projects:

Molecular phylogeny of the subfamilies in Geometridae (Geometridea: Lepidoptera)

The Geometridae is one of the largest families of moths. Relatively little is known about the phylogeny of this family, since most phylogenetic research is concentrated on the genus level. In the present study we investigate the phylogenetic relationships between the subfamilies within Geometridae and between Geometridae and Drepanidae, using sequence data from three gene fragments: The ND1 mitochondrial gene, the first expansion segment and the second expansion segment of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene. Although the alignment of the second expansion segment contained regions with many gaps, it provided the most resolution of the used gene fragments. Parsimony analysis of the combined data resulted in a phylogeny in which species belonging to Drepanidae, Larentiinae and Sterrhinae form monophyletic groups. The Archiearinae and Geometrinae (represented by one species per group in the present study) are basal to the Ennominae. The species belonging to the Oenochrominae resides under the Ennominae.
(D. Abraham, N. Ryrholm , H. Wittzell and C. Löfstedt)
Index terms: Maximum parsimony, mitochondrial, ribosomal


Evolution of Pheromone-Binding Proteins in geometrid moths

From a selection of Geometridae, one of the most species-rich families of moths, a phylogeny has been established (Abraham et al., 2001). Different species of geometrid moths use different pheromone structures, either relatively long unsaturated carbon-chains with epoxide or methyl groups or olefinic acetate components. Recognition of pheromones involves small soluble antennal proteins (16 KDa), highly concentrated in the sensillar lymph surrounding the sensory neurons, the pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs). PBPs are postulated to play an important role in the transport and delivery of hydrophobic pheromone compounds to the sensory neuron receptors. We have analysed the PBPs of geometrid moths and discuss the diversity of PBP genes in relation with the different pheromone systems and the phylogeny of these insects. (David Abraham, Christer Löfstedt and Jean-François Picimbon)

Publications: Abraham, D., Ryrholm, N., Wittzell, H., Scoble, M.J., Holloway, J. and Löfstedt, C. (2001). Molecular Phylogeny of the subfamilies in Geometridae (Geometroidea: Lepidoptera). Mol. Phyl. Evol.
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Text: David Abraham, Supervisor: Christer Löfstedt     Webmaster: Erling Jirle, Dept. Ecology, Lund University.  This page was created 98-11-26, updated 02-02-01.    Back