Biology subjects

S, S. K.

Publications and source records attributed to S, S. K..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Aeroplane wing, a new recessive autosomal phenotypic marker in malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston

A novel and distinct mutant, with an aeroplane wing (ae) phenotype, is reported for the first time in the urban malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi. The mutant mosquitoes exhibit extended wings that are easily visible to naked eyes in both sexes. This mutant was first observed in a nutritionally stressed experimental isofemale line and characterized for its genetic inheritance and other related parameters. Meticulous and strategic genetic crosses revealed that the ae gene is an autosomal, recessive, non-sex-linked and monogenic trait with full penetrance and uniform expression in the adult stage. Cytogenetic study of the ovarian polytene chromosome revealed an inversion on the 3L chromosome (3Li) in both the ae mutant and its parent line. No significant differences in wing venation and other parameters were observed in ae mutants compared to their normal parental lines. This ae mutant would be an excellent marker that can be used by researchers to study the function of related genes within the genome. Author summaryIn the present study, we have established and describe the inheritance of an unusual novel aeroplane (ae) winged mutant in Anopheles stephensi, an urban malaria vector in India. The ae mutant lines exhibit three open-wing orientations in both the sexes of adults viz. left (LW), right (RW) and double wing (DW) during its resting phase. Through various inbreeding crosses we demonstrated the mode of inheritance of the ae gene to be autosomal, recessive and monogenic in nature. The morphometric studies of eggs and wings revealed that mutant lines are on par with their parental lines. Cytogenetic study of polytene chromosome of ae mutant revealed the presence of heterogenic inversion on the 3L chromosome arm, which might help in adaptation mechanism. We strongly believe that ae phenotypic markers have great applications bridging both basic and applied genetic research such as constructing linkage maps, identifying loci of quantitative and/or qualitative traits and as guides for insect transformation studies.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2021

Behavioral context shapes vocal sequences in two anuran species with different repertoire sizes

Acoustic signals in animals serve to convey context-dependent information to receivers. Birds and mammals combine diverse sounds into complex sequences to communicate, but these sequences largely remain understudied in other taxa. Anuran vocalizations are a prominent feature of their life history, and function in defense of territories and to attract mates. However, despite the spectacular diversity of anurans in tropical regions of the world, vocal diversity and communication strategies remain relatively poorly studied. Specifically, studies of vocal sequences and context-dependent vocal patterns in frogs remain few. Here, we investigated the context-dependent vocal repertoire and the use of vocal sequences by two anuran species belonging to different lineages, both endemic to the hyper-diverse Western Ghats of India. By recording vocal sequences both when frogs were alone and in the presence of a territorial rival, we present evidence that both species modify their vocal repertoire according to context. Specifically, one species appends notes to generate more complex sequences, whereas the other shifts to different note types, resulting in different sequences for different contexts. Thus, despite differences in repertoire size, both frog species are capable of adjusting the temporal sequence of vocalizations to communicate in different contexts. This study highlights the need for further studies of insular frogs, to understand how diversification across these continental islands has influenced the evolution of vocal repertoires, vocal sequence patterns and communication systems. Lay SummaryAnimals employ complex sequences of acoustic signals to communicate in diverse behavioral contexts. Here, we demonstrate that two frog species with different vocal repertoires both modify the sequence of note emissions in the presence of a territorial rival. These patterns demonstrate that anurans are capable of complex shifts in the patterns of their vocalization, to communicate different messages to different receivers. Our findings demonstrate the value of studying behavioral diversity in tropical regions.

animal behavior and cognition↗