Data from: Metabolic adaptations in a range-expanding arthropod

Despite an increasing number of studies documenting life-history evolution during range expansions or shifts, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the underlying physiological processes. In this explorative study, we used a metabolomics approach to study physiological changes associated with the recent range expansion of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). Mite populations were sampled along a latitudinal gradient from range core to edge and reared under benign common garden conditions for two generations. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, we obtained metabolic population profiles, which showed a gradual differentiation along the latitudinal gradient, indicating (epi)genetic changes in the metabolome in association with range expansion. These changes seemed not related with shifts in the mites’ energetic metabolism, but rather with differential use of amino acids. Particularly, more dispersive northern populations showed lowered concentrations of several essential and nonessential amino acids, suggesting a potential downregulation of metabolic pathways associated with protein synthesis.

尽管已有大量研究记录了物种在分布范围扩张或变迁过程中的生活史演化，但学界对其背后的生理过程仍缺乏机制性认知。本探索性研究采用代谢组学方法，探究了二斑叶螨（Tetranychus urticae）近期分布范围扩张过程中伴随的生理变化。研究团队沿纬度梯度从分布范围核心区至边缘采集叶螨种群，并在适宜的同质园培养条件下连续饲养两代。通过气相色谱-质谱联用法（gas chromatography–mass spectrometry），本研究获取了种群代谢谱，结果显示代谢谱沿纬度梯度呈现逐步分化，表明代谢组的（表观）遗传变化与分布范围扩张存在关联。此类代谢变化似乎与叶螨的能量代谢改变无关，而是与氨基酸的差异化利用密切相关。尤为值得注意的是，扩散能力更强的北部种群体内多种必需氨基酸与非必需氨基酸的浓度均有所降低，这提示与蛋白质合成相关的代谢通路可能存在下调现象。