The Molecular Evolution of Insect Opsin Genes

Author

Maria Jose Cardenas Muedano, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Matthew Terry

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael Persans

Third Advisor

Dr. Megan Keniry

Abstract

Opsins are part of the superfamily of G-coupled receptor proteins and together with chromophores, are responsible for initiating the signal transduction cascade responsible for animal vision. Since opsins have a critical role on visual perception these genes are crucial for a myriad of adaptive traits and behaviors and should show diverse signs of natural selection at the molecular level. Understanding the evolution of opsins across the wide diversity of insect groups will allow us to better understand the evolutionary pressure on insect opsins and serve as a model for both other gene systems and other taxonomic groups of animals that are more difficult to study.

Our goal was to expand our sampling of insect opsins and then use these new data to explore and better understand patterns of evolution and diversity of these crucial genes. Moreover, we performed a spatial localization of opsin expression in the compound eye of a species of praying mantis native to the Rio Grande Valley, Bistanta mexicana.

Comments

Copyright 2022 Maria Jose Cardenas Muedano. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/molecular-evolution-insect-opsin-genes/docview/2801850437/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Cardenas Muedano, Maria Jose, "The Molecular Evolution of Insect Opsin Genes" (2022). Theses and Dissertations. 1129.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1129