Peruvian Stick Insect RNA-Seq

The goals of this study are to identify the active proteins of the midgut of the Peruvian walking stick, Peruphasma schultei (Pseudophasmatidae: Phasmatodea). Male and female insects were sampled together. The anterior and posterior midguts were analyzed separately in efforts to identify the function of the "appendices of the midgut," a Phasmatodea-specific system of tubes on the posterior third of the midgut. By identifying genes expressed differentially in the posterior gut, we hoped to find the genes associated with the appendices and elucidate their roles. Other goals included identifying plant cell wall degrading enzymes expressed in the midgut, such as cellulases and pectinases, and determining if they are endogenously produced or microbial. The results demonstrate the extent to which the Phasmatodea digestive system is compartmentalized and provide a first look at the transcriptomics of phasmid digestion.