Frequent Recent Origination of Brain Genes Shaped the Evolution of Foraging Behavior in Drosophila

SummaryThe evolution of the brain and behavior are coupled puzzles. The genetic bases for brain evolution are widely debated, yet whether newly evolved genes impact the evolution of the brain and behavior is vaguely understood. Here, we show that during recent evolution in Drosophila, new genes have frequently acquired neuronal expression, particularly in the mushroom bodies. Evolutionary signatures combined with expression profiling showed that natural selection influenced the evolution of young genes expressed in the brain, notably in mushroom bodies. Case analyses showed that two young retrogenes are expressed in the olfactory circuit and facilitate foraging behavior. Comparative behavioral analysis revealed divergence in foraging behavior between species. Our data suggest that during adaptive evolution, new genes gain expression in specific brain structures and evolve new functions in neural circuits, which might contribute to the phenotypic evolution of animal behavior.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Newly evolved genes have frequently arisen and are expressed in the brain of Drosophila
► Young gene expression is enriched in the mushroom bodies
► The young brain genes Xcbp1 and Desr participate in the foraging circuit