Biology subjects

Foquet, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Foquet, B..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Multiple roads to swarming: divergent molecular machineries drive the repeated evolution of locusts

Locust swarming, one of nature's most spectacular examples of a repeated emergent polyphenism, has long been suspected to rely on conserved "swarming genes" or shared genomic features. By applying a model-clade approach comparing six species that vary in their degrees of plasticity and collective behavior, we show that the evolution of swarming locusts is not driven by shared genomic features or a universal set of swarming genes. In contrast, we find that this phenomenon evolved through flexible regulatory architectures, in which the degree of behavioral plasticity directly correlates with the total scale of density-responsive gene expression. While different locust species recruit largely non-overlapping gene sets to achieve the same syndrome, these divergent molecular machineries converge on similar higher-level biological functions. Thus, multiple molecular pathways achieve locust swarming, challenging the preconceived notion about the genetic prerequisites to transition from solitary to collective states. Further, we establish that a complex syndrome such as locust swarming emerges through modular regulatory systems that can be amplified, modified, or attenuated across the tree of life.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Conservation of declining Florida ecosystems is critical for an at-risk butterfly

Assessing the availability of protected habitats for at-risk species is needed to determine how the spatial distribution of land cover and land use shapes conservation outcomes. The Loammi skipper (Atrytonopsis loammi) is a nonmigratory, prairie-associated butterfly that has experienced a significant reduction in its formerly widespread southeastern United States distribution over the past several decades. Observations in recent years have been limited to a small number of isolated Florida populations, and it is unclear how much suitable habitat remains and what proportion of that habitat is protected. Here we used publicly available community science data and collected specimens to identify the predominant land cover types occupied by A. loammi. We then quantified the extent to which each of these land cover types overlap with protected areas to estimate the proportion of the butterflys current distribution that occurs on managed conservation lands. Our findings show that A. loammi relies heavily on protected lands, with over half of the total area of the most strongly associated habitats located within protected areas. Given the continued expansion of human-modified landscapes in Florida and the reliance of A. loammi on protected lands, the long-term persistence of A. loammi will likely depend on the conservation and effective management of its remaining suitable habitat. Implications for insect conservationOur results highlight the critical role of protected areas in sustaining at-risk insect populations, particularly for species with limited dispersal and shrinking ranges. More broadly, they suggest that conserving and restoring protected habitats while maintaining connectivity are essential strategies for effective insect conservation in rapidly developing regions.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Evolution of highly repetitive silk genes in the Luna moth, Actias luna

Gene duplications are a major driver of molecular diversification and phenotypic evolution. Arthropod silk genes provide an excellent model for studying these processes due to their highly repetitive sequences and rapid evolutionary rates. In Lepidoptera, the Fibroin heavy chain (fibH) gene encodes the primary structural protein for silk fibers, contributing largely to their mechanical strength. This inner fibroin core is surrounded by an outer coating composed primarily of sericins. Sericins are a group of highly repetitive, serine-rich proteins that modulate silk fiber properties. Although sericins in the Domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) have been associated with life stage-specific variation in silk characteristics, their evolution and function across Lepidoptera remain poorly understood. Here, we provide a detailed molecular characterization of sericin genes in the Luna moth (Actias luna), a saturniid species known for forming dense, robust, silk-woven cocoons. We identified eight sericin genes that (1) are frequently arranged into clusters of closely related paralogs, (2) exhibit considerable variation in repeat number and amino acid composition, and (3) display distinct gene expression patterns across life stages. A comparison of sericin genes across Saturniidae and Bombycidae reveals evidence for convergent subfunctionalization. These findings suggest that sericin gene duplications enable dynamic shifts in silk composition both within and between species, potentially reflecting adaptive responses to ecological and functional demands. Significance StatementGene duplications are thought to be a major driver of molecular diversification and phenotypic evolution. Arthropod silk genes, characterized by their repetitive sequences and rapid evolution, provide an ideal model for studying these processes. Sericins, a group of highly repetitive, serine-rich silk proteins, are hypothesized to have contributed to the diversification of silk properties, both within and across lepidopteran species. However, their diversity and evolution is poorly understood. Focusing on the Luna moth (Actias luna), we show that sericin gene duplications across Saturniidae have led to subfunctionalization, enabling changes to silk composition. These modifications may represent adaptative responses to ecological and functional demands.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

A high-quality reference genome and comparative genomics of the widely-farmed bandedcricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) identifies selective breeding targets

Farmed insects have gained attention as an alternative, sustainable source of protein with a lower carbon footprint than traditional livestock. We present a high-quality reference genome for one of the most commonly farmed insects, the banded cricket Gryllodes sigillatus. In addition to its agricultural importance, G. sigillatus is also a model in behavioural and evolutionary ecology research on reproduction and mating systems. We report comparative genomic analyses that clarify the banded crickets evolutionary history, identify gene family expansions and contractions unique to this lineage, associate these with agriculturally important traits, and identify targets for genome-assisted breeding efforts. The high-quality G. sigillatus genome assembly plus accompanying comparative genomic analyses serve as foundational resources for both applied and basic research on insect farming and behavioural biology, enabling researchers to pinpoint trait-associated genetic variants, unravel functional pathways governing those phenotypes, and accelerate selective breeding efforts to increase the efficacy of large-scale insect farming operations.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

A high-quality genome assembly of the ghost moth Druceiella hillmani provides new evidence of genome size augmentation in Hepialidae

Ghost moths are an unusual family of primitive moths (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) known for their large body size and crepuscular adult activity. These moths represent an ancient lineage, frequently have soil dwelling larvae, and are adapted to high elevations, deserts, and other extreme environments. Despite being rather speciose with more than 700 species, there is a dearth of genomic resources for the family. Here, we present the first high quality, publicly available hepialid genome, generated from an Andean species of ghost moth, Druceiella hillmani. Our genome assembly has a length of 2,586 Mbp with contig N50 of 28.1 Mb and N50 of 29, and BUSCO completeness of 97.1%, making it one of the largest genomes in the order Lepidoptera. Our assembly is a vital resource for future research on ghost moth genomics.

evolutionary biology↗