Physiological Systems in Insects

Physiological Systems in Insects, Fourth Edition explores why insects have become the dominant animals on the planet. Sections describe the historical investigations that have led us to our current understanding of insect systems. Integrated within a basic physiological framework are modern molecular approaches that provide a glimpse of the genetic and evolutionary frameworks that testify to the unity of life on earth. This updated edition describes advances that have occurred in our understanding of hormone action, metamorphosis, and reproduction, along with new sections on the role of microbiomes, insecticide action and its metabolism, and a chapter on genetics, genomics and epigenetic systems. The book represents a collaborative effort by two internationally known insect physiologists who have instructed graduate courses in insect physiology. As such, it is the ideal resource for entomologists and those in other fields who may require knowledge of insect systems. Presents updated information on key physiological principles Covers detailed and instructive figures for visual enhancement Provides flowing text without the interruption of citations Includes evolutionary considerations throughout, also providing a discussion on the implications of molecular techniques and discoveries Encourages further reading with a complete bibliography at end of each chapter Front Cover Physiological Systems in Insects Copyright Contents Preface to the Fourth Edition References of interest Chapter 1 Signaling systems Paracrine signaling Endocrine signaling Types of hormone release sites in insects Early experiments that set the stage for our current understanding Type of hormones in insects Modes of action Prothoracicotropic hormone Control of prothoracicotropic hormone release and its mode of action Ecdysteroids Ecdysteroids and their synthesis Control of ecdysone secretion by the prothoracic glands Metabolism and degradation of ecdysteroids Other sources of ecdysteroids Mode of action of ecdysteroids The juvenile hormones Major types of juvenile hormone and their synthesis Sites of juvenile hormone synthesis and control of juvenile hormone production Postproduction regulation of juvenile hormone activity Mode of action of juvenile hormone Juvenile hormone analogs Other neuropeptides found in insects Vertebrate-type hormones in insects References of interest General insect endocrinology Classic experiments in insect endocrinology Prothoracicotropic hormone Ecdysteroids Juvenile hormones Insect neuropeptides Vertebrate-type hormones in insects Chapter 2 Integumentary systems Insect growth and development Strategies for growth Origins of holometaboly Instars, stadia, and hidden phases Structure of the integument Modified features of the integument Chemistry of the cuticle Proteins Chitin Chitin biosynthesis inhibitors as insecticides Lipids Other components of the cuticle The molting process Eclosion behavior and its regulation Sclerotization Endocrine control of molting and metamorphosis Signaling in cell and tissue growth Metamorphosis and the radically changing cuticle Changes in cuticle commitment Imaginal disc development Metamorphosis, cell reorganization, and cell death References of interest Structure and chemistry of the integument Insect growth and metamorphosis Chapter 3 Developmental systems Morphogens and developmental patterns Insect eggs Egg membranes Pattern formation within the oocyte Hox genes Embryonic development Blastoderm formation Formation of the germ band Blastokinesis and dorsal closure Formation of the gut Formation of the nervous system Formation of eyes Formation of other internal organ systems Eyespot pattern formation Sex determination Endocrinology of embryonic development References of interest Eggs and embryogenesis Pattern and development Chapter 4 Reproductive systems Female reproductive systems Events in the germarium Other structures in the female reproductive system Types of ovarioles Vitellogenesis Endocrinology of female reproduction Ovulation, fertilization, and oviposition Male reproductive systems Spermatogenesis Spermatozoa Endocrine control of the male reproductive system and spermatogenesis Unconventional methods of insect reproduction Parthenogenesis Viviparity Polyembryony Paedogenesis Wolbachia and insect reproduction Hemocelic insemination Mating systems References of interest Female reproduction, vitellogenesis, mating Male reproduction and spermatogenesis Chapter 5 Behavioral systems Ways of looking at behavior Genetic basis of insect behavior Hormonal regulation of behavior Physiology of learning and memory Physiology of circadian rhythms Physiology of polyphenisms Physiology of temporal polyethisms Physiology of behaviors accompanying metamorphosis Physiology of eclosion behaviors Behavioral modulation by parasites References of interest Physiology of insect behavior Physiology of eclosion behaviors Physiology of learning and memory Circadian rhythms and behavior Physiology of polyphenisms Parasite regulation of behavior Chapter 6 Metabolic systems The insect alimentary tract Extraoral digestion Basic gut structure Anterior structures and the foregut Midgut Hindgut Some general considerations for insect digestion Digestion of proteins Digestion of carbohydrates Digestion of lipids Metabolic processes in insects Insecticides targeting the midgut The fat body Metabolism of carbohydrates Metabolism of proteins Proline metabolism Vitamins Metabolism of lipids Diapause as a metabolic process References of interest Digestion Metabolism and nutrition Diapause Chapter 7 Circulatory systems Structure of the insect circulatory system Development of the dorsal vessel Accessory pulsatile organs Heartbeat and its regulation Hemolymph composition Hemocytes Immune mechanisms in insects Cell-mediated immunity Humoral immunity The circulatory system and temperature variations Cold hardiness Thermoregulation References of interest Circulatory system Immune mechanisms Adapting to temperature changes Chapter 8 Excretory systems Major excretory products in insects Excretory organs Mechanism of Malpighian tubule secretion Hindgut and rectum Cryptonephridial system Filter chamber Hormonal control of excretion and osmoregulation Storage excretion Other functions of the Malpighian tubules References of interest Chapter 9 Respiratory systems Supplying cells with oxygen The tracheal system Modifications that increase oxygen uptake Nonrespiratory functions of tracheal systems Discontinuous gas exchange Aquatic respiration Renewal of air supplies Cutaneous respiration Tracheal gills Plastron respiration Spiracular gills Insecticides targeting respiration References of interest Chapter 10 Locomotor systems Basic structure of insect muscles Actin, myosin, and muscle activation Types of skeletal muscles Synchronous muscles Asynchronous muscles Tracheal supply to muscles Neural excitation and modulation of muscle contraction Myotropic peptides Evolution of insect wings Basic structure of the insect wing Reynolds number, size, and insect movement Muscles involved in wing movements Wing movements during flight Wing coupling and control mechanisms Flight muscle metabolism Terrestrial locomotion References of interest Insect muscles Insect flight Terrestrial locomotion Chapter 11 Nervous systems The nervous system as a key to the evolution of arthropods Basic components of the insect nervous system The neuron Glial cells Maintenance of electrical potential and nervous transmission Neuronal stimulation Events occurring at the synapse Structure of the nervous system The central nervous system The visceral nervous system Sensing the environment Sensilla Chemoreceptors Sensory transduction Thermoreceptors and hygroreceptors Mechanoreceptors Infrared receptors Visual receptors Dorsal ocelli Lateral ocelli Compound eyes Apposition compound eyes Superposition eyes and adaptations for dim light Visual pigments Perception of polarized light Magnetic sensitivity Insecticides targeting the nervous system Insecticide resistance References of interest Evolution of the insect nervous system Nervous system structure and function Sensory receptors—Vision Sensory receptors—Nonvisual Insect toxicology Chapter 12 Communication systems Visual communication Visual tracking Visual defense Bioluminescence Acoustical communication Sound production by percussion Sound production by vibration Sound production by substrate vibration Sound production by the expulsion of air Tactile communication Chemical communication Pheromones Releaser pheromones Sex pheromones Aggregation pheromones Alarm pheromones Trail pheromones Epideictic pheromones Funeral pheromones Pheromone synthesis and release Use of pheromones in pest management Allelochemicals Allomones Kairomones Synomones Primer pheromones The multicomponent nature of bee communication References of interest Acoustical communication Visual communication Chemical communication Chapter 13 Genetics, genomics, and epigenetics Genetics Mutagenesis and screens to identify genes involved in physiological processes Transformation GAL4/UAS system Clonal analysis Reverse genetics approaches with RNA interference Genome editing Genomics Insect genome sequencing Annotation of genes in the genome Insect genome sequences Transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics Impact of genome sequence information on insect physiology Epigenetics DNA modifications DNA modifications in insects Histone modifications Histone modifications in insects Histone acetyltransferases Histone deacetylases Histone methyltransferases Histone demethylases Chromatin remodeling complexes References of interest Genetics Genomics Epigenetics Glossary Index Back Cover