Experimental evolution study in flour beetles on how niche construction modulates evolvability of pathogen resistance

Here, beetle larvae developed in constructed niches with or without defensive, quinone-rich secretions and were then exposed to a bacterial pathogens (Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis). Survivors of bacterial infection established the next generation and selection continued in this manner for nine generations. Included here are the transcriptomes of pooled F2 larvae from all selection lines in generation nine without pathogen exposure and 6h post exposure.

本实验中，甲虫幼虫在人工构建的生境中发育，部分生境含有防御性的、富含醌类的分泌物，随后将幼虫暴露于细菌性病原菌——苏云金杆菌拟步甲亚种（Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis）。经细菌感染存活的个体将繁育下一代，以此选择流程持续进行九代。本数据集包含第9代所有选择系中，未接触病原菌以及接触病原菌6小时后的混合F2幼虫的转录组（transcriptome）。