Conserved, highly specialized olfactory receptor neurons for food compounds in 2 congeneric scarab beetles, Pachnoda interrupta and Pachnoda marginata |
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Authors: | Bengtsson Jonas M Khbaish Hamida Reinecke Andreas Wolde-Hawariat Yitbarek Negash Merid Seyoum Emiru Hansson Bill S Hillbur Ylva Larsson Mattias C |
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Institution: | Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 102, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden. jonas.bengtsson@iasma.it |
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Abstract: | Few studies have systematically addressed evolutionary changes in olfactory neuron assemblies, either by genetic drift or as an adaptation to specific odor environments. We have studied the sense of olfaction in 2 congeneric scarab beetles, Pachnoda interrupta Olivier and Pachnoda marginata Drury (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae), which are both opportunistic polyphages, feeding mainly on fruit and flowers. The 2 species occur in dissimilar habitats: P. interrupta is found in dry savannah, and P. marginata in tropical parts of equatorial Africa. To study how these species may have adapted their sense of olfaction to their odor environments, we utilized single-unit electrophysiology on olfactory sensilla with a wide selection of food-related compounds. Despite the differences in habitat, we found that the species shared most of the physiological types of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) encountered, although their proportions frequently varied between the species. The high degree of conservation in olfaction between the species implies that a similar sensory strategy is efficient for food search in both habitats. However, shifts in proportions of receptor neuron classes, and slight shifts in response profiles and/or presence of some ORN classes unique to either species, may reflect adaptation to a different set of hosts. |
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