Transcriptome sequencing of the green-brown polymorphic grasshopper

Orthoptera represent a remarkable case of transspecies color polymorphism, with green and brown morphs coexisting in many species. The color polymorphism is likely under long-term balancing selection, but the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying this variation remain poorly understood. Here, we use differential gene expression analysis in the club-legged grasshopper Gomphocerus sibiricus (Caelifera: Acrididae, Gomphocerinae) to identify the specific genes responsible for the differentiation into green and brown morphs. Our study provides important insights into the molecular basis of the green-brown polymorphism in Gomphocerine grasshoppers.