TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex chromosome evolution in moths and butterflies
AU - Sahara, Ken
AU - Yoshido, Atsuo
AU - Traut, Walther
PY - 2012/1/1
Y1 - 2012/1/1
N2 - Lepidoptera, i.e. moths and butterflies, have a female heterogametic sex chromosome system, with most females having a WZ constitution while males are ZZ. Besides this predominant WZ/ZZ system, Z/ZZ, WZ 1Z 2/Z 1Z 1Z 2Z 2 and W 1W 2Z/ZZ systems also occur. Sex is determined by an unknown W-linked gene or genes in Bombyx mori, but by dosage-dependent and equally unknown Z-linked genes in all Z/ZZ species. The female heterogametic sex chromosome system has been conserved for at least 180 MY in the phylogenetic branch that combines Lepidoptera and Trichoptera. The W chromosome, which is present in most lepidopteran species, was incorporated in the sex chromosome system much later, about 90-100 MY ago. The Z chromosomes are highly conserved among Lepidoptera, much like the Z in birds or the X in mammals. The W, on the other hand, is evolving rapidly. It is crammed with repetitive elements which appear to have a high turnover rate but poor in or even devoid of protein-coding genes. It has frequently undergone fusion with autosomes or sporadically lost altogether.
AB - Lepidoptera, i.e. moths and butterflies, have a female heterogametic sex chromosome system, with most females having a WZ constitution while males are ZZ. Besides this predominant WZ/ZZ system, Z/ZZ, WZ 1Z 2/Z 1Z 1Z 2Z 2 and W 1W 2Z/ZZ systems also occur. Sex is determined by an unknown W-linked gene or genes in Bombyx mori, but by dosage-dependent and equally unknown Z-linked genes in all Z/ZZ species. The female heterogametic sex chromosome system has been conserved for at least 180 MY in the phylogenetic branch that combines Lepidoptera and Trichoptera. The W chromosome, which is present in most lepidopteran species, was incorporated in the sex chromosome system much later, about 90-100 MY ago. The Z chromosomes are highly conserved among Lepidoptera, much like the Z in birds or the X in mammals. The W, on the other hand, is evolving rapidly. It is crammed with repetitive elements which appear to have a high turnover rate but poor in or even devoid of protein-coding genes. It has frequently undergone fusion with autosomes or sporadically lost altogether.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857356511&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10577-011-9262-z
DO - 10.1007/s10577-011-9262-z
M3 - Journal articles
C2 - 22187366
AN - SCOPUS:84857356511
SN - 0967-3849
VL - 20
SP - 83
EP - 94
JO - Chromosome Research
JF - Chromosome Research
IS - 1
ER -
