A Preliminary Study on the Evolution of Sex-biased Genes in 40 Insects

doi:10.16409/j.cnki.2095-039x.2025.09.012

Abstract

Abstract: The evolutionary mechanism of sexual dimorphism in insects is crucial for evolutionary biology research. Sex-biased genes are the genetic basis driving the evolution of sexual dimorphism; however, the dynamics of its evolution across the order level and its relationship with insect adaptations remain unclear. In this study, we preliminarily analyzed the evolutionary patterns of sex-biased genes in 40 species of insects, using transcriptome and comparative genomic analysis. The results showed that sex-biased genes changed rapidly during insect evolution, among which only 162 female-biased and 46 male-biased gene families were highly conserved across species, and their functions were enriched in the regulation of female gamete formation and male sperm motility system, respectively. In addition, the numbers and functional enrichment results of order-specific sex-biased genes were significantly different, which may reflect their unique ecological adaptability. This study reveals for the first time the dynamic changes of sex-biased genes in insects at the cross-order level, providing a new perspective for understanding the evolution of sexual dimorphism and laying a molecular foundation for screening sex-specific targets for pest control and exploration of beneficial insects.

Key words: sexual dimorphism, sex-biased genes, orthologous genes, functional adaptation

CLC Number:

S476

BU Yifan, YU Kaili, XIONG Shijiao, BAI Xue, YANG Yi, YE Xinhai, YE Gongyin. A Preliminary Study on the Evolution of Sex-biased Genes in 40 Insects[J]. Chinese Journal of Biological Control, 2026, 42(2): 435-447.

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