Evolution and Development of Insect Metamorphosis: A Case of Genetic Accommodation?
Abstract
For centuries, the evolution of complete metamorphosis in insects (holometaboly) has captured the imagination of philosophers and scientists. Recent discoveries using model organisms and experimental organisms have greatly advanced our understanding of the molecular regulators of metamorphosis. Drawing on these discoveries and insights gained from the evolution of direct development and metamorphosis in other taxa, we propose that the larval stage found in holometabolous insects may have evolved from a developmentally plastic embryo through the process of genetic accommodation. We highlight the need to study additional species that are phylogenetically closer to the hypothetical common ancestor of holometabolous insects and can serve as a surrogate for this hypothetical insect.
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Although chinmo and broad work in concert to direct the progressive growth of the nymph, only chinmo is involved in the regulation of E93.
“Although chinmo and broad work in concert to direct the progressive growth of the nymph, only chinmo is involved in the regulation of E93 [44,43].”
From Regulation of metamorphosis in holometabolous insects (2026) · cites this paper as [44]
The timing and functions of chinmo and broad support the pattern of combined growth and differentiation in hemimetabolous nymphs versus their separation in holometabolous larvae.
“As pointed out by Nagata et al. [44], the timing and functions of chinmo and broad support this pattern.”
From Regulation of metamorphosis in holometabolous insects (2026) · cites this paper as [44]
Cites
The pupal specifier <i>broad</i> directs progressive morphogenesis in a direct-developing insect
Erezyilmaz, D. F., Riddiford, L. M., & Truman, J. W. (2006) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0509983103 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Truman, J. W., & Riddiford, L. M. (2022) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2201071119 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
He, L. L., Shin, S. H., Wang, Z., Yuan, I., Weschler, R., Chiou, A., Koyama, T., Nijhout, H. F., & Suzuki, Y. (2020) · Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology · doi:10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103452 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Self-citationChafino, S., Giannios, P., Casanova, J., Martín, D., & Franch-Marro, X. (2023) · eLife · doi:10.7554/elife.84648 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
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Regulation of metamorphosis in holometabolous insects
Truman, J. W., & Riddiford, L. M. (2026) · Current Opinion in Insect Science · doi:10.1016/j.cois.2026.101508 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
- Authors
- Nagata, H., Tanaka, K., & Suzuki, Y.
- Affiliations
- Wellesley College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Suzuki, Yuichiro
- Venue
- Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
- Published
- 2025-11-23
- Volume
- 76
- Pages
- 117-150
- ISSN
- 0080-1844 (ISSN-L)
- 1861-0412
- OpenAlex
- W4416539079
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1
- FWCI
- 2.14
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Results and problems in cell differentiation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Keywords
- insect metamorphosis, genetic accommodation, larval evolution, developmental plasticity, direct development, evolutionary developmental biology, insect phylogeny
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Biological Evolution, Insecta, Larva, Metamorphosis, Biological, Phylogeny
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