Abstract
Wings were a fundamental morphological innovation for the adaptive radiation of insects, the most diversified group among all animals. Pterygote insects have two pairs of wings, the mesothoracic (T2) forewings and the metathoracic (T3) hindwings, whereas the prothorax (T1) is wingless. Using RNA interference approaches, we have found that the gene Sex combs reduced (Scr) determines the wingless identity of T1 in the cockroach Blattella germanica. Interference of Scr triggers the formation of ectopic wing structures in T1, which are formed from the expansion of the latero-posterior region of the pronotum, along with a contribution of the epimeron, a pleurite of T1. These data support the theory of a dual origin for insect wings, from pronotal (tergal origin theory) and pleural (pleural origin theory) structures and genes.
Highlights
Wings were a morpho-functional innovation crucial for the spectacular radiation of insects, the most speciose lineage among all animals
Using RNA interference approaches, we have found that the gene Sex combs reduced (Scr) determines the wingless identity of T1 in the cockroach Blattella germanica
In B. germanica, Scr depletion triggered the formation of hardened and deeply folded wing-like expansions in the latero-posterior region of T1, exactly where wing pads locate in T2 and T3 [31]
Summary
Wings were a morpho-functional innovation crucial for the spectacular radiation of insects, the most speciose lineage among all animals. The Pterygota, have two pairs of wings located on the second (T2) and third (T3) thoracic segments, whereas the first thoracic segment (T1) is wingless [1]. Wing morphogenesis in T2 and T3 is regulated by a complex gene cascade [2], whereas the wingless identity of T1 mainly results from the action of the Hox gene Sex combs reduced (Scr).
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