Kathy Darragh
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View article: The Convergent Evolution of Hummingbird Pollination Results in Repeated Floral Scent Loss Through Gene Downregulation
The Convergent Evolution of Hummingbird Pollination Results in Repeated Floral Scent Loss Through Gene Downregulation Open
The repeated evolution of the same trait in different lineages provides powerful natural experiments to study the phenotypic and genotypic predictability of trait gain and loss. A fascinating example is the repeated evolution of hummingbir…
View article: Terminology in ecology and evolutionary biology disproportionately harms marginalized groups
Terminology in ecology and evolutionary biology disproportionately harms marginalized groups Open
The discipline of ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) has long grappled with issues of inclusivity and representation, particularly for individuals with systematically excluded and marginalized backgrounds or identities. For example, si…
View article: The <i>Gongora gibba</i> genome assembly provides new insights into the evolution of floral scent in male euglossine bee–pollinated orchids
The <i>Gongora gibba</i> genome assembly provides new insights into the evolution of floral scent in male euglossine bee–pollinated orchids Open
Orchidaceae is one of the most prominent flowering plant families, with many species exhibiting highly specialized reproductive and ecological adaptations. An estimated 10% of orchid species in the American tropics are pollinated by scent-…
View article: Selection drives divergence of eye morphology in sympatric <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
Selection drives divergence of eye morphology in sympatric <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies Open
When populations experience different sensory conditions, natural selection may favor sensory system divergence, affecting peripheral structures and/or downstream neural pathways. We characterized the outer eye morphology of sympatric Heli…
View article: The convergent evolution of hummingbird pollination results in repeated floral scent loss through gene downregulation
The convergent evolution of hummingbird pollination results in repeated floral scent loss through gene downregulation Open
The repeated evolution of the same trait in different lineages provides powerful natural experiments to study the phenotypic and genotypic predictability of how traits are gained and lost. A fascinating example of this is the repeated evol…
View article: Adaptive divergence in the eyes of<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies likely contributes to pre- and post-mating isolation
Adaptive divergence in the eyes of<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies likely contributes to pre- and post-mating isolation Open
When populations experience different sensory conditions, natural selection may favor whole sensory system divergence, from the peripheral structures to the brain. We characterized the outer eye morphology of sympatric Heliconius species f…
View article: Individual variation in male pheromone production in<i>Xylocopa sonorina</i>correlates with size and gland color
Individual variation in male pheromone production in<i>Xylocopa sonorina</i>correlates with size and gland color Open
Sex pheromones are species-specific chemical signals that facilitate the location, identification, and selection of mating partners. These pheromones can vary between individuals, and act as signals of mate quality. Here, we investigate th…
View article: Seasonal stability and species specificity of environmentally acquired chemical mating signals in orchid bees
Seasonal stability and species specificity of environmentally acquired chemical mating signals in orchid bees Open
Traits that mediate reproductive isolation between species, such as those involved in mate choice and/or recognition, are predicted to experience stabilizing selection towards the species mean. Male orchid bees collect chemical compounds f…
View article: The Birth-and-Death Evolution of Cytochrome P450 Genes in Bees
The Birth-and-Death Evolution of Cytochrome P450 Genes in Bees Open
The birth-and-death model of multigene family evolution describes how gene families evolve and diversify through duplication and deletion. The cytochrome P450s are one of the most diverse and well-studied multigene families, involved in bo…
View article: Identification and Composition of Clasper Scent Gland Components of the Butterfly <i>Heliconius erato</i> and Its Relation to Mimicry
Identification and Composition of Clasper Scent Gland Components of the Butterfly <i>Heliconius erato</i> and Its Relation to Mimicry Open
The butterfly Heliconius erato occurs in various mimetic morphs. The male clasper scent gland releases an anti‐aphrodisiac pheromone and additionally contains a complex mixture of up to 350 components, varying between individuals. In 114 s…
View article: The birth-and-death evolution of cytochrome P450 genes in bees
The birth-and-death evolution of cytochrome P450 genes in bees Open
The birth-and-death model of multigene family evolution describes how families can expand by duplication and contract by gene deletion and formation of pseudogenes. The phylogenetic stability of a gene is thought to be related to the degre…
View article: A novel terpene synthase controls differences in anti-aphrodisiac pheromone production between closely related Heliconius butterflies
A novel terpene synthase controls differences in anti-aphrodisiac pheromone production between closely related Heliconius butterflies Open
Plants and insects often use the same compounds for chemical communication, but not much is known about the genetics of convergent evolution of chemical signals. The terpene ( E )-β-ocimene is a common component of floral scent and is also…
View article: Clustering of loci controlling species differences in male chemical bouquets of sympatric <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
Clustering of loci controlling species differences in male chemical bouquets of sympatric <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies Open
The degree to which loci promoting reproductive isolation cluster in the genome—that is, the genetic architecture of reproductive isolation—can influence the tempo and mode of speciation. Tight linkage between these loci can facilitate spe…
View article: Clustering of loci controlling species differences in male chemical bouquets of sympatric<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies
Clustering of loci controlling species differences in male chemical bouquets of sympatric<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies Open
The degree to which loci promoting reproductive isolation cluster in the genome – i.e. the genetic architecture of reproductive isolation - can influence the tempo and mode of speciation. Tight linkage between these loci can facilitate spe…
View article: Chemical signals act as the main reproductive barrier between sister and mimetic <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
Chemical signals act as the main reproductive barrier between sister and mimetic <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies Open
Colour pattern is the main trait that drives mate recognition between Heliconius species that are phylogenetically close. However, when this cue is compromised such as in cases of mimetic, sympatric and closely related species, alternative…
View article: Species specificity and intraspecific variation in the chemical profiles of <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies across a large geographic range
Species specificity and intraspecific variation in the chemical profiles of <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies across a large geographic range Open
In many animals, mate choice is important for the maintenance of reproductive isolation between species. Traits important for mate choice and behavioral isolation are predicted to be under strong stabilizing selection within species; howev…
View article: A major locus controls a biologically active pheromone component in <i>Heliconius melpomene</i>
A major locus controls a biologically active pheromone component in <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> Open
Understanding the production, response, and genetics of signals used in mate choice can inform our understanding of the evolution of both intraspecific mate choice and reproductive isolation. Sex pheromones are important for courtship and …
View article: Chemical signals act as the main reproductive barrier between sister and mimetic<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies
Chemical signals act as the main reproductive barrier between sister and mimetic<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies Open
Colour pattern has been long recognised as the trait that drives mate recognition between Heliconius species that are phylogenetically close. However, when this cue is compromised such as in cases of mimetic, sympatric and closely related …
View article: A novel terpene synthase produces an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone in the butterfly<i>Heliconius melpomene</i>
A novel terpene synthase produces an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone in the butterfly<i>Heliconius melpomene</i> Open
Terpenes, a group of structurally diverse compounds, are the biggest class of secondary metabolites. While the biosynthesis of terpenes by enzymes known as terpene synthases (TPSs) has been described in plants and microorganisms, few TPSs …
View article: A major locus controls a biologically active pheromone component in<i>Heliconius melpomene</i>
A major locus controls a biologically active pheromone component in<i>Heliconius melpomene</i> Open
Understanding the production, response, and genetics of signals used in mate choice can inform our understanding of the evolution of both intraspecific mate choice and reproductive isolation. Sex pheromones are important for courtship and …
View article: Species specificity and intraspecific variation in the chemical profiles of<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies across a large geographic range
Species specificity and intraspecific variation in the chemical profiles of<i>Heliconius</i>butterflies across a large geographic range Open
In many animals, mate choice is important for the maintenance of reproductive isolation between species. Traits important for mate choice and behavioural isolation are predicted to be under strong stabilising selection within species, howe…
View article: Male pheromone composition depends on larval but not adult diet in <i>Heliconius melpomene</i>
Male pheromone composition depends on larval but not adult diet in <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> Open
1. Condition‐dependent traits can act as honest signals of mate quality, with fitter individuals being able to display preferred phenotypes. Nutrition is known to be an important determinant of individual condition, with diet known to affe…
View article: Male pheromone composition depends on larval but not adult diet in <i>Heliconius melpomene</i>
Male pheromone composition depends on larval but not adult diet in <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> Open
Condition-dependent traits can act as honest signals of mate quality, with fitter individuals able to display preferred phenotypes. Nutrition is known to be an important determinant of individual condition, with diet known to affect many s…
View article: Male sex pheromone components in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies released by the androconia affect female choice
Male sex pheromone components in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies released by the androconia affect female choice Open
Sex-specific pheromones are known to play an important role in butterfly courtship, and may influence both individual reproductive success and reproductive isolation between species. Extensive ecological, behavioural and genetic studies of…