Elizabeth Schaldenbrand
Research Mentor(s): Delbert Green
Mentor Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Authors: Elizabeth Schaldenbrand, D. André Green II
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 47
Abstract
Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are known for their remarkable long-distance migration, yet the development of the monarch caterpillar brain, especially in response to environmental factors, remains understudied. This research investigates the differences in brain development between monarch caterpillars exhibiting migratory (fall) and non-migratory (summer) phenotypes. The project focuses on examining neuroblast development in the caterpillar brain, with the aim of identifying cellular and developmental variations that may be linked to migratory behavior. To achieve this, various protein stains will be used to attempt to assess neuroblast number and generation, while synapsin and DAPI staining will help characterize brain neuropils and enhance cell visualization. The protocols for DAPI and synapsin staining are being adapted from existing methods, while neuroblast staining protocols are being newly developed and refined for this research. Additionally, protocols are being established for raising caterpillars to create a reliable staging table. These methods will provide insight into how caterpillar brains develop under different seasonal conditions, potentially revealing some cellular mechanisms of migration. The research will contribute to the understanding of insect neurobiology and phenotypic plasticity, specifically in monarch butterflies, and may serve as a reference point for future studies on other migratory insects. Furthermore, it could be a valuable reference point for understanding how environmental factors such as temperature and nutrient availability influence monarch development in a changing environment.
