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The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum: an emerging genomic model system for ecological, developmental and evolutionary studies
Article first published online: 18 JUL 2006
DOI: 10.1002/bies.20436
Copyright © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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How to Cite
Brisson, J. A. and Stern, D. L. (2006), The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum: an emerging genomic model system for ecological, developmental and evolutionary studies. Bioessays, 28: 747–755. doi: 10.1002/bies.20436
Publication History
- Issue published online: 18 JUL 2006
- Article first published online: 18 JUL 2006
Funded by
- NIH
- Princeton University
- David & Lucile Packard Foundation Fellowship to DLS
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
Aphids display an abundance of adaptations that are not easily studied in existing model systems. Here we review the biology of a new genomic model system, the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. We then discuss several phenomena that are particularly accessible to study in the pea aphid: the developmental genetic basis of polyphenisms, aphid–bacterial symbioses, the genetics of adaptation and mechanisms of virus transmission. The pea aphid can be maintained in the laboratory and natural populations can be studied in the field. These properties allow controlled experiments to be performed on problems of direct relevance to natural aphid populations. Combined with new genomic approaches, the pea aphid is poised to become an important model system for understanding the molecular and developmental basis of many ecologically and evolutionarily relevant problems. BioEssays 28: 747–755, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc