Survival of the Fittest: Physiological Adaptations of Insects in Hostile Environments
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 March 2025 | Viewed by 37
Special Issue Editors
Interests: insect adaptations; insect physiology; insect molecular biology; RNAi; temperature tolerance mechanisms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: insect symbiosis; microbe mediated Tri-trophic interaction; microbe mediated stress tolerance in insects
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Insects have developed an array of abilities to endure hostile climates, such as extreme temperatures, arid environments, and high altitudes. These adaptations can be physiological, behavioural, or morphological, allowing insects to thrive in conditions challenging for many other organisms. For instance, insects can adjust their metabolisms, water balances, and other physiological processes to cope with climatic extremes. Developing adaptive behaviours can enable them to find more favourable microclimates, reduce exposure to extremes, and conserve energy. Interestingly, insects that live at high altitudes encounter unique challenges, such as low oxygen levels, cold temperatures, and increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation. They have evolved specific adaptations to thrive under such conditions. Last but not least, insects evolve adaptations to cope with host allelochemicals.
Hence, novel adaptations illustrate the incredible versatility and resilience of insects, allowing them to thrive in some of the most challenging and changing environments and conditions on Earth. This Special Issue welcomes such research activities showcasing insect physiology and adaptation aspects.
Topics of interest for this Special Issue:
- Morphological adaptations have evolved to help insects survive in their specific environments;
- Insect physiological adaptations such as diapause, cryopreservation, heat tolerance, water conservation, etc.;
- Insect behavioural adaptations such as migration, nocturnal activity, burrowing, etc.;
- Morphological adaptations (i.e., body size and shape, coloration, specialist structures, etc.) to cope with environmental challenges;
- Reproductive adaptation, such as egg and larval dormancy, the timing of reproduction, etc.;
- Adaptations to extreme altitudes via oxygen regulation;
- Insect detoxification mechanisms that protect against host toxins;
- Contributions of microbes to insect physiology and adaptation.
Dr. Amit Roy
Dr. Amrita Chakraborty
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- insect adaptation
- temperature tolerance
- insect physiology
- detoxification
- symbiosis and stress tolerance mechanisms
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