Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low Temperatures
The red palm weevil (RPW), <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, is one of the worst palm pests worldwide. In this work, we studied the physiological basis underlying its adaptive strategy against low temperatures. Specifically, we analyzed the main low-molecular-weight biochemical substance...
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/134 |
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| author | Trinidad León-Quinto Arturo Serna |
| author_facet | Trinidad León-Quinto Arturo Serna |
| author_sort | Trinidad León-Quinto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The red palm weevil (RPW), <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, is one of the worst palm pests worldwide. In this work, we studied the physiological basis underlying its adaptive strategy against low temperatures. Specifically, we analyzed the main low-molecular-weight biochemical substances acting as possible endogenous cryoprotectants, as well as their efficiency in reducing cold injury by preserving K<sup>+</sup>/Na<sup>+</sup> homeostasis. Wild pre-pupae were cold-treated (5.0 ± 0.5 °C) or non-treated (23 ± 1 °C) for 7 days. We then determined the levels of: (a) glucose, trehalose and glycerol, spectrophotometrically, (b) amino acids, by liquid chromatography and (c) potassium and sodium, by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Cold-treated larvae increased their potassium level, suggesting some degree of chill injury. However, part of the cold-exposed animals was able to develop an efficient overall cryoprotective response which primarily includes glucose, as well as glycerol and several amino acids (mainly alanine). Our study shows for the first time that RPW is capable of deploying effective physiological mechanisms for a rapid response to cold, which could be relevant to improving predictive models of geographic distribution, especially in a context of climate change. The knowledge of the specific molecules involved would allow future studies to try to prevent its adaptive strategy, either by natural or chemical methods. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:43:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-88d85ca391d54ff5ae31c66d11a9814f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:43:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-88d85ca391d54ff5ae31c66d11a9814f2023-11-23T20:26:45ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502022-01-0113213410.3390/insects13020134Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low TemperaturesTrinidad León-Quinto0Arturo Serna1Área de Zoología, Departamento de Agroquímica y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Miguel Hernández, E3202 Elche, ALC, SpainDepartamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, E3202 Elche, ALC, SpainThe red palm weevil (RPW), <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, is one of the worst palm pests worldwide. In this work, we studied the physiological basis underlying its adaptive strategy against low temperatures. Specifically, we analyzed the main low-molecular-weight biochemical substances acting as possible endogenous cryoprotectants, as well as their efficiency in reducing cold injury by preserving K<sup>+</sup>/Na<sup>+</sup> homeostasis. Wild pre-pupae were cold-treated (5.0 ± 0.5 °C) or non-treated (23 ± 1 °C) for 7 days. We then determined the levels of: (a) glucose, trehalose and glycerol, spectrophotometrically, (b) amino acids, by liquid chromatography and (c) potassium and sodium, by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Cold-treated larvae increased their potassium level, suggesting some degree of chill injury. However, part of the cold-exposed animals was able to develop an efficient overall cryoprotective response which primarily includes glucose, as well as glycerol and several amino acids (mainly alanine). Our study shows for the first time that RPW is capable of deploying effective physiological mechanisms for a rapid response to cold, which could be relevant to improving predictive models of geographic distribution, especially in a context of climate change. The knowledge of the specific molecules involved would allow future studies to try to prevent its adaptive strategy, either by natural or chemical methods.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/134red palm weevil (RPW)palm pesttropical insectcoleopteracold hardeningadaptive strategy |
| spellingShingle | Trinidad León-Quinto Arturo Serna Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low Temperatures Insects red palm weevil (RPW) palm pest tropical insect coleoptera cold hardening adaptive strategy |
| title | Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low Temperatures |
| title_full | Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low Temperatures |
| title_fullStr | Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low Temperatures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low Temperatures |
| title_short | Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>, against Low Temperatures |
| title_sort | cryoprotective response as part of the adaptive strategy of the red palm weevil i rhynchophorus ferrugineus i against low temperatures |
| topic | red palm weevil (RPW) palm pest tropical insect coleoptera cold hardening adaptive strategy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/2/134 |
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