J. N. Pelaez

Taste evolution in an herbivorous drosophilid

This study investigates how Scaptomyza flava, an herbivorous drosophilid, evolved reduced aversion to bitter plant compounds by altering bitter taste sensitivity and receptor expression.

Evolution of chemosensory and detoxification gene families across herbivorous Drosophilidae

This study examines gene family evolution in herbivorous Drosophila to understand dietary adaptation, finding higher gene turnover in herbivores but limited losses on the ancestral herbivore branch.

Induction of autotetraploidy and microbiome associations mediate differential responses to pathogens

The paper investigates how autotetraploidy in Arabidopsis affects microbiome interactions and pathogen resistance, finding polyploids are more resistant but less reliant on beneficial bacteria.

Evolution and genetic basis of the plant-penetrating ovipositor, a key adaptation in the transition to herbivory within the Drosophilidae

The paper studies the evolution of the plant-penetrating ovipositor in Scaptomyza, finding that regulatory variation in developmental genes contributes to this adaptation.