In this context, notably, the sand-burrowing or pit-dwelling species tended to lack SW gene expression in larvae. In contrast to many SW and LW genes expressed in adults, only one SW gene and several LW genes were expressed in larvae, reflecting less visual dependence and LW-skewed light conditions for their lifestyle under water. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed dynamic multiplications and losses of the opsin genes in the course of evolution. Comprehensive transcriptomic survey of the other dragonflies representing an additional 10 families also identified as many as 15–33 opsin genes.
Exhaustive transcriptomic and genomic surveys of three dragonflies of the family Libellulidae consistently identified 20 opsin genes, consisting of 4 nonvisual opsin genes and 16 visual opsin genes of 1 UV, 5 short-wavelength (SW), and 10 long-wavelength (LW) type. Here we report an extraordinary large number of opsin genes in dragonflies and their characteristic spatiotemporal expression patterns. Dragonflies are colorful and large-eyed animals strongly dependent on color vision.
0 kommentar(er)
