Learning dimensions of molecular evolution from the genome of an extraordinary invasive and broadly polyphagous insect: The diaprepes root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus)

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

10:42 AM – 10:54 AM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 131 A, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

RA

Rich H. Adams

Assistant Professor of Agricultural Statistics
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Co-Author(s)

TS

Terrence P. Sylvester

Postdoctoral fellow
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
NS

Na Ra Shin

University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
MD

Mataya Duncan

University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
JR

Jenniffer Roa Lozano

University of Arkansas
Fayettevelle, Arkansas
DM

Duane D. McKenna

Professor
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

The Diaprepes root weevil (DRW), Diaprepes abbreviatus, is a broadly polyphagous invasive pest of agriculture in the southern United States and the Caribbean. In a relatively short amount of time, DRW has spread rapidly across new landscapes and host plants, far beyond predicted climatic limits. Recently, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the DRW genome to study molecular dimensions of specialized plant-feeding and invasiveness. Here we present these findings alongside genomic evidence of an arsenal of genes and gene families with predicted relevance to the polyphagous lifestyle. Moreover, many of these gene families appeared to have undergone substantial expansions in this lineage, including a great diversity and number of plant cell wall degrading enzymes and invertases, including carbohydrate esterases, polysaccharide lyases, and glycoside hydrolases (GH). Comparisons with other recently-sequenced Entimine weevils provide insight into genomic diversity in this remarkable yet under-sampled lineage, and we also explore aspects of protein structure and evolution in the genome of this unusual and highly-successful invasive. Through this work, we are launching integrated studies that leverage the DRW system as a powerful model for genomic prediction of adaptation and ancestry in invasive species.