Convergence in Na,K-ATPase alpha1 sequences in insects feeding on cardiac-glycoside containing plants
We investigate potential rules underlying adaptations of insects feeding on cardiac glycosides containing plants. This system has become a case study for convergent evolution with the monarch butterfly as most famous example for the sequestering specialist syndrome, which combines specific amino acid substitutions in the Na,K-ATPase with 1) high toxin-resistance (target site insensitivity, TSI), 2) sequestration of toxins, and 3) aposematic coloration. We evaluate convergence for these traits within and between Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera, encompassing hundreds of toxin-adapted species. This project presents data on transcriptomes and Na,K-ATPase alpha1 gene sequences of previously not investigated insect species.