Climate change is affecting many species around the world, but some are able to adapt faster than others.
A new study by Leiden biologists has discovered a mutation in flour beetles that allows them to speed up their development and cope with warmer temperatures.
This finding could have implications for understanding how insects can adjust to changing environments and potentially avoid extinction.
The mutation that makes beetles grow faster
The researchers studied the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), a common pest of stored grains that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
They found that some beetles had a mutation in a gene called foxo, which regulates growth and metabolism.
The mutation reduced the activity of the gene, which in turn increased the production of a hormone called ecdysone.
This hormone controls the molting and metamorphosis of insects, and higher levels of it made the beetles grow faster and reach adulthood sooner.
The researchers tested the effect of the mutation on the beetles' development under different temperatures.
They found that the mutation was beneficial at higher temperatures (30°C and 35°C), where the beetles with the mutation developed about 20% faster than the normal ones.
However, at lower temperatures (20°C and 25°C), the mutation had no significant effect on the development time.
The researchers also examined the fitness of the beetles with and without the mutation, by measuring their survival, reproduction, and body size.
They found that the mutation did not affect the survival or body size of the beetles, but it did reduce their reproduction at higher temperatures.
The beetles with the mutation laid fewer eggs and had lower hatching success than the normal ones at 30°C and 35°C. This suggests that the mutation has a trade-off between faster development and lower reproduction.
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The implications for insect adaptation to climate change
The study showed that a single mutation can have a large impact on the development and fitness of insects under different temperatures.
The researchers speculate that this mutation may have arisen in response to the increasing temperatures caused by climate change, and that it may help the beetles survive in warmer regions.
They also suggested that similar mutations may exist in other insects, and that they may play a role in their adaptation to climate change.
However, the mutation may not be enough to ensure the long-term survival of the beetles, as it also reduces their reproduction.
They pointed out that other factors, such as food availability, competition, and predation, may also affect the beetles' fitness and evolution.
They also noted that climate change may have other effects on insects, such as altering their behavior, physiology, and interactions with other species.
The study highlights the importance of studying the genetic basis of insect adaptation to climate change, as it can reveal the mechanisms and consequences of evolutionary responses to environmental changes.
It also demonstrates the potential of using flour beetles as a model system for investigating the effects of temperature and diet on insect development and fitness.
By understanding how insects can adapt to climate change, we may be able to predict their future distribution and impact on agriculture and ecosystems.
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