Exploring Aquaporin Diversity in Elateroidea: Insights From RNA-Seq Data Sets

Osmoregulation, the physiological regulation of water and ion balance, is vital for the survival of both aquatic and terrestrial insects. In freshwater aquatic insects, such as those within the Lampyridae family, this function is important due to the natural variation of aquatic habitats. Aquaporins play a key role in this process by facilitating the rapid transport of water molecules across cell membranes, maintaining cellular water balance, and adapting to changes in external salinity. In this study, I investigate the genetic diversity and expression levels of aquaporins in Elateroidea, particularly focusing on the Lampyridae family, using transcriptomic data and in silico analyses. The results reveal the diversity of aquaporins and compare gene expression patterns between freshwater aquatic Lampyridae and terrestrial Elateroidea species, such as Lycidae, Phengodidae, and Elateridae. Phylogenetic analyses identify seven distinct clades of aquaporins and uncovered gene duplication events related to the diversification of Elateridae and Lampyridae. A comparative abundance analysis indicated higher aquaporin expression in aquatic fireflies, aligning with the need for efficient osmoregulation in aquatic environments. Additionally, stage-specific expression patterns in Aspisoma lineatum (Neotropical firefly) and Aquatica lateralis (Paleartic firefly) suggest species-specific strategies for coping with osmotic challenges during development. This study provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of aquaporins in Elateroidea, highlighting their importance in both aquatic and terrestrial insect physiology. The phylogenetic tree represents the evolutionary relationships between different aquaporin clades (I-VII) of Elateroidea. The arrows illustrate the predominant aquaporin class expressed in these groups, with Clades I and II being predominantly aquatic, as indicated by the blue arrows. Clades IV, V, and VI are primarily terrestrial, represented by the orange arrow directed toward terrestrial environments. The analysis of aquaporin genes across these clades helps elucidate the evolutionary shifts between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within Lampyridae and Elateroidea. image This study evaluates the genetic diversity and expression of aquaporins in Lampyridae, revealing their role in osmoregulation across aquatic and terrestrial environments. Phylogenetic analysis identifies seven distinct aquaporin clades in Elateroidea, suggesting novel evolutionary adaptations. Aquaporin abundance in aquatic fireflies indicates a critical role in osmoregulation, with stage-specific expression patterns in larvae.