非遗传多型性是指同一基因型或同一基因组通过外界环境诱导可产生两种或者多种不连续表型的现象。该现象在昆虫中已有报道,如变态、季节性非遗传多型、社会性昆虫的等级制等。昆虫通过非遗传多型性做出应答,通过表型改变来适应环境并利用周围环境物质以达到躲避天敌从而进行生存繁衍的目的。因此,非遗传多型性是昆虫种类繁多、数量庞大的主要因素之一。近几十年来,非遗传多型性日益受到广泛关注,从最初对现象的描述,到诱导该现象产生的可能因素的实验验证,至目前大数据时代下利用二代测序技术、基因敲除和RNA干扰等技术揭示其分子机制。本文对近年来非遗传多型性在昆虫中的研究进展进行了总结,并对未来的趋势进行了展望。

Polyphenism denotes that one genome produces two or more distinct phenotypes due to environmental inductions. Many cases have been reported in insects, for example, metamorphosis, seasonal polyphenism, the caste of eusocial insects and so on. Polyphenism is one of the most important reasons for insects to survive and thrive, because insects can adapt and use the environmental cues around them in order to avoid predators and reproduce by changing their phenotypes. Polyphenism has received growing attentions, ranging from the earlier description of this phenomenon to the exploration of possible inducing factors. With the recent advent of the genomic era, more and more studies based on next generation sequencing, gene knockout and RNA interference have been reported to reveal the molecular mechanism of polyphenism. In this review, we summarize the progresses of the polyphenism in insects and envision prospects of future researches.