Evolution of gene expression dynamics in response to cold in Drosophila albomicans.
The primary goal of this study is to investigate the molecular and genetic mechanisms responsible for enhancing cold tolerance in Drosophila albomicans, a tropical fruit fly species that has successfully expanded its distribution from tropical to temperate regions. Comparing transcriptomic changes via cold acclimation between several strains of Drosophila albomicans from various geographic locations within the East Asian temperate zone, we aim to identify the causative genes and pathways that underlie the species' adaptive responses to cold acclimation. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for unraveling the complex dynamics of cold adaptation and its role in driving the expansion of species into new, often colder, environments. This study's findings will not only contribute to our knowledge of the intricate interplay between gene expression and cold tolerance but also provide valuable insights into the broader context of species' responses to changing environmental conditions, with potential implications for climate change and species distribution dynamics.