Insects, the most diverse of all animal groups, are being extensively investigated in the context of both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate development, reproduction, and phenotypic plasticity. During development and reproduction, many species exhibit morphological, physiological, and behavioral plasticity as an adaptive response to environmental changes. With the development of sequencing techniques and bioinformatics, the application of ecological genomics methods in the study of extensive insect species extended our knowledge to biological evolution and ecological adaptation.
Recent studies in genetic and epigenetic regulation of developmental processes--including embryonic and post-embryonic development (e.g., tissue remodeling during metamorphosis), reproduction (eg. egg number regulation), cross-talk among major hormones (juvenile hormone, ecdysteroids, and some neuropeptides)--produced many novel findings. In addition, research on epigenetic modifications (including non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation, and histone modification involved in the regulation of development, reproduction, and phenotypic plasticity such as cast differentiation) reported some exciting findings. These findings of novel genes, and identification of novel function and regulatory pathways in classic genes provide abundant targets for pest management.
We collected more than twenty articles and reviews in volume I of this Research Topic. In volume II of this Research Topic, we still aim to gather articles from genomic and epigenetic studies of insect development, reproduction, and phenotypic plasticity. Principal themes covered in this Topic relate to:
I) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of development
II) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of reproduction
III) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of phenotypic plasticity (e.g. cast differentiation)
IV) Application of ecological genomics methods in genetic and epigenetic regulation
V) Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying social behavior
VI) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of other biological processes
Insects, the most diverse of all animal groups, are being extensively investigated in the context of both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate development, reproduction, and phenotypic plasticity. During development and reproduction, many species exhibit morphological, physiological, and behavioral plasticity as an adaptive response to environmental changes. With the development of sequencing techniques and bioinformatics, the application of ecological genomics methods in the study of extensive insect species extended our knowledge to biological evolution and ecological adaptation.
Recent studies in genetic and epigenetic regulation of developmental processes--including embryonic and post-embryonic development (e.g., tissue remodeling during metamorphosis), reproduction (eg. egg number regulation), cross-talk among major hormones (juvenile hormone, ecdysteroids, and some neuropeptides)--produced many novel findings. In addition, research on epigenetic modifications (including non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation, and histone modification involved in the regulation of development, reproduction, and phenotypic plasticity such as cast differentiation) reported some exciting findings. These findings of novel genes, and identification of novel function and regulatory pathways in classic genes provide abundant targets for pest management.
We collected more than twenty articles and reviews in volume I of this Research Topic. In volume II of this Research Topic, we still aim to gather articles from genomic and epigenetic studies of insect development, reproduction, and phenotypic plasticity. Principal themes covered in this Topic relate to:
I) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of development
II) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of reproduction
III) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of phenotypic plasticity (e.g. cast differentiation)
IV) Application of ecological genomics methods in genetic and epigenetic regulation
V) Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying social behavior
VI) Genetic and epigenetic regulation of other biological processes