Genomics and Applied Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 245-254 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 248 environmental stressors. For instance, in the damselfly Ischnura elegans, genes associated with heat shock proteins (HSP40 and HSP70), ion transport (V-ATPase), and visual processes (long-wavelength-sensitive opsin) were identified as crucial for adaptation to varying climatic conditions (Dudaniec et al., 2018). These findings underscore the importance of stress response and physiological adaptation genes in environmental adaptation. In earwigs, similar genomic analyses could reveal genes that enable them to cope with environmental challenges. The high-quality genome assembly of the European earwig Forficula auricularia provides a valuable resource for such investigations, with 12,876 protein-coding genes annotated (Bhattarai et al., 2022a). Future studies could focus on identifying genes with signatures of positive selection and their roles in environmental adaptation, similar to the approach used in other insect species (Colgan et al., 2021; Soudi et al., 2022). 3.3 Molecular pathways associated with stress response Molecular pathways associated with stress response are critical for the survival of organisms in fluctuating environments. In earwigs, the identification of such pathways can provide insights into their resilience and adaptability. Studies on other species have shown that stress response pathways often involve heat shock proteins, detoxification enzymes, and other protective mechanisms. For example, the mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum exhibited expansions in gene families related to oxidative phosphorylation and phenylalanine metabolism, which are essential for coping with intertidal stressors (Ma et al., 2021). In earwigs, the presence of genes involved in similar pathways could be indicative of their ability to withstand environmental stress. The genomic resources available for Forficula auricularia, including the annotated protein-coding genes, offer a foundation for exploring these molecular pathways (Bhattarai et al., 2022a). Additionally, the study of gene-environment associations in other species, such as the recent invasive Aedes aegypti populations, has highlighted the role of heat-shock proteins and other stress-related genes in local adaptation (Soudi et al., 2022). These findings can guide future research on the molecular mechanisms underlying stress response in earwigs. 4 Molecular Mechanisms of Ecological Adaptation 4.1 Mechanisms of temperature tolerance and adaptation Temperature tolerance and adaptation are critical for the survival of species in varying climates. Genomic studies have revealed that specific genetic variations are associated with temperature adaptation. For instance, in the Chinese wingnut (Pterocarya stenoptera), adaptive divergence is influenced by temperature seasonality and annual temperature, with 801 candidate SNPs identified that correlate with these environmental factors (Li et al., 2020). Similarly, in lacertid lizards, 200 genes were found to be under positive diversifying selection, many of which are involved in physiological adaptations to climate, including temperature (Valero et al., 2021). These findings highlight the role of specific genes and genetic variations in enabling species to tolerate and adapt to temperature changes. 4.2 Adaptations to arid and humid environments Adaptations to arid and humid environments involve complex genetic changes that enable species to survive under extreme conditions. In cactophilic Drosophila species, high rates of gene gains and positive selection were observed in species adapted to arid environments, with genes related to metabolism and stress response playing significant roles (Rane et al., 2019). In white spruce (Picea glauca), genomic studies identified 285 genes associated with drought tolerance, including those involved in anatomical and growth responses to aridity (Depardieu et al., 2021). These genetic adaptations are crucial for species to manage water scarcity and maintain physiological functions in arid environments. 4.3 Behavioral and physiological traits linked to genetic adaptations Behavioral and physiological traits are often linked to genetic adaptations that enhance survival in specific environments. In bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), recent adaptations were found to affect neurobiology, wing development, and response to xenobiotics, which are critical for their interaction with the environment (Colgan et al., 2021). In the rufous-capped babbler (Cyanoderma ruficeps), genetic adaptations to high elevation
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