Pregnancy Depends on Key Daily Rhythms in Diploptera punctata, the Pacific Beetle Mimic Cockroach

Abstract

Record ID: 44

Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship

Program Affiliation: UPRISE Summer Research Program

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: Diploptera punctata, the pacific beetle mimic cockroach, are one instance of over 65 convergent evolutions of live birth in insects alone. Of interest are the common pressures which lead to shared features of live birth, such as urogenital and circulatory system remodeling, placental structures, and changes to the endocrine system. Investigated during this study were factors related to pregnancy and circadian rhythm; one arm focused on studying changes in behavior and sleep during pregnancy, and the other on the effects of chronic sleep deprivation on pregnancy, such as gestational period and milk protein transcript levels. Study of these factors has revealed that chronic disturbance of sleep during pregnancy negatively impacts embryo development, increasing gestational duration and decreasing the transcription of milk proteins. In addition, scavenging and risk taking behavior are significantly altered during pregnancy. These findings indicate that sleep is key to embryo development and that pregnancy has a significant impact on behavior and daily rhythms in Diploptera Punctata.