This is a reprint of: Sexual Development 2014, Vol. 8, No. 1-3
Three conditions are essential for evolution: variation, heredity and time. Most animal species transmit genetic information through sexual reproduction in order to meet the first two conditions. The consequence for sexual reproduction is the need for (at least) two sexes with different reproductive roles. Consequently, evolutionary issues arise, such as differences in morphological and behavioral attributes between the sexes, which are reflected in the plethora of animal sex-determining systems. Indeed, a transition to asexual development may occur, sometimes induced by microbial endosymbionts. All these aspects are represented in the insect sex-determining system, which is the focal topic of this issue of Sexual Development.
Sex Determination and Differentiation in Insects is recommended to scientists interested in the evolution of sex determination in particular and developmental pathways in general.
1 Title Page / Table of Contents
Preface
5 Insect Sex Determination: A Cascade of Mechanisms (Verhulst E.C. · van de Zande L.)
7 Evolutionary Transitions between Sex-Determining Mechanisms: A Review of Theory (van Doorn G.S.)
20 Sex Determination in Insects: Variations on a Common Theme (Bopp D. · Saccone G. · Beye M.)
29 Sex Determination Mechanisms in the Calliphoridae (Blow Flies) (Scott M.J. · Pimsler M.L. · Tarone A.M.)
38 Phylogenetic Distribution and Evolutionary Dynamics of the Sex Determination Genes doublesex and transformer in Insects (Geuverink E. · Beukeboom L.W.)
50 Thelytoky and Sex Determination in the Hymenoptera: Mutual Constraints (Vorburger C.)
59 Manipulation of Arthropod Sex Determination by Endosymbionts: Diversity and Molecular Mechanisms (Ma W.-J. · Vavre F. · Beukeboom L.W.)
74 Genomic Imprinting and Maternal Effect Genes in Haplodiploid Sex Determination (van de Zande L. · Verhulst E.C.)
83 Sex-Determining Mechanisms in Insects Based on Imprinting and Elimination of Chromosomes (Sánchez L.)
104 Lepidopteran Sex Determination: A Cascade of Surprises (Nagaraju J. · Gopinath G. · Sharma V. · Shukla J.N.)
113 Transcriptomic Analysis of Sexual Differentiation in Somatic Tissues of Drosophila melanogaster: Successes and Caveats (Samson M.-L. · Rabinow L.)
127 Practical Applications of Insects' Sexual Development for Pest Control (Koukidou M. · Alphey L.)
137 Author Index Vol. 8, No. 1-3, 2014