The genetic architecture of larval aggregation behavior in Drosophila

Abstract

Many insect species exhibit basal social behaviors such as aggregation, which play important roles in their feeding and mating ecologies. However, the evolutionary, genetic, and physiological mechanisms that regulate insect aggregation remain unknown for most species. Here, we used natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster to identify the genetic architecture that drives larval aggregation feeding behavior. By using quantitative and reverse genetic approaches, we have identified a complex neurogenetic network that plays a role in regulating the decision of larvae to feed in either solitude or as a group. Results from single gene, RNAi-knockdown experiments show that several of the identified genes represent key nodes in the genetic network that determines the level of aggregation while feeding. Furthermore, we show that a single noncoding SNP in the gene CG14205, a putative acyltransferase, is associated with both decreased mRNA expression and increased aggregate formation, which suggests that it has a specific role in inhibiting aggregation behavior. Our results identify, for the first time, the genetic components which interact to regulate naturally occurring levels of aggregation in D. melanogaster larvae.

Transmission of beneficial yeasts accompanies offspring production in Drosophila—An initial evolutionary stage of insect maternal care through manipulation of microbial load?

“…Moreover, Drosophila flies are known to be sub-social, that is, they aggregate (e.g., McKinney et al, 2021;Philippe et al, 2016).…”

“…However, numerous social interactions and collective behaviors within one generation have been described recently, particularly in Drosophila (Chen & Sokolowski, 2022 ; Dombrovski et al, 2017 ; Durisko et al, 2014 ; Lihoreau et al, 2016 ). Moreover, Drosophila flies are known to be sub‐social, that is, they aggregate (e.g., McKinney et al, 2021 ; Philippe et al, 2016 ). Aggregation is mediated by the emission of pheromonal compounds from fecal deposits (Keesey et al, 2016 ), which may additionally be enhanced by the attraction of flies to yeast volatiles (Günther & Goddard, 2019 ).…”

The cluster digging behavior of larvae confers trophic benefits to fitness in insects

“…Previous studies described the aggregation of larvae upon the cluster digging (McKinney et al, 2021;Verschut et al, 2023). However, the density of larvae inside clusters remains largely unclear.…”

“…Like all living organisms, insect populations are equipped with special strategies to survive and adapt to food scarcity. Although aggregation possibly causes an increase in competition among interspecies, it is not an inevitable outcome based on trade-offs between benefits from cooperation and competition for food sources (Brenman-Suttner et al, 2020;McKinney et al, 2021). When individuals are prone to aggregate and energetically work together, they can accomplish far more than they could in isolation.…”

Transcending boundaries: from quantitative genetics to single genes

“…Finally, the issue includes six additional original research reports, one by Yehuda Ben-Shahar and Ross McKinney on Drosophila larval aggregation behavior (McKinney et al, 2021). Stephen Goodwin, Megan Neville, and colleagues generate and characterize a new fruitless core P1 promoter mutant (Neville et al, 2021).…”