Transcriptomic signatures of parent-larval interactions in Nicrophorus orbicollis

We use transcriptomics to study changes in expression in parents and larvae of the burying beetle, Nicrophorus orbicollis, associated with transitions to direct care. In addition, we examine the effect of ambient temperature in moderating the strength of parent-larval interactions by sampling families across two parental care stages (pre- and 24 h post-interaction) and two temperatures (20 and 24 degrees Celsius). A total of 20 families (each consisting of one male, one female, and pooled larvae) were sampled.本研究采用转录组学（transcriptomics）技术，探究圆胸埋葬甲（Nicrophorus orbicollis）的亲本与幼虫在向直接抚育行为转变过程中的基因表达变化。此外，本研究通过在两个亲本抚育阶段（互作前及互作后24小时）与两个环境温度（20℃与24℃）下对家族群进行采样，分析环境温度对亲本-幼虫互作强度的调控作用。本研究共采样20个家族群，每个家族群包含1只雄性成虫、1只雌性成虫以及混合幼虫样本。