Evolution of neuroblast identity: seven-up and prospero expression reveal homologous and divergent neuroblast fates in Drosophila and Schistocerca

In the Drosophila CNS, early neuroblast formation and fate are controlled by the pair-rule class of segmentation genes. The distantly related Schistocerca (grasshopper) embryo has a similar arrangement of neuroblasts, despite lack of known pair-rule gene function. Does divergent pair-rule gene function lead to different neuroblast identities, or can different patterning mechanisms produce homologous neuroblasts? We use four molecular markers to compare Drosophila and Schistocerca neuroblast identity: seven-up, prospero, engrailed, and fushi-tarazu/Dax. In both insects some early-forming neuroblasts share key features of neuroblast identity (position, time of formation, and temporally accurate gene expression); thus, different patterning mechanisms can generate similar neuroblast fates. In contrast, several later-forming neuroblasts show species-specific differences in position and/or gene expression; these neuroblast identities seem to have diverged, suggesting that evolution of the insect central nervous system can occur through changes in embryonic neuroblast identity.