The metabolic and genetic underpinnings of polyphenic horn development in the dung beetle

Beetle horns represent an intriguing trait due to their sensitivity to nutritional cues during development. Specifically, when exposed to optimal nutritional conditions during the larval period, they develop large horns whereas suboptimal levels of nutrition lead to the development of smaller horns. In the dung beetle species

, this response has become extreme, resulting in two distinct size morphs. In previous studies, we proposed a genetic model that explains the mechanisms underlying the substantial disparity in horn size between these morphs. However, the specific metabolic processes that may influence or be associated with differences in the gene expression pattern during horn size determination remained unknown. Here, we present our recent metabolomic and transcriptomic datasets, shedding light on the significance of select metabolic pathways that potentially contribute to the regulation of horn size.