Convergence in amino acid sequences between proteins can be strong evidence for selection. Here, I look for evidence of convergence
in the amino acid sequences of pheromone binding protein (PBP) in response to convergence in pheromones. PBPs are involved
in sex pheromone reception by the antennae of male moths. In this role PBPs may selectively bind pheromone components and
experience convergent selection in response to convergence in pheromone components. However, examination of the PBPs of the
taxa that have converged upon the use of (
E)- or (
Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate as their major pheromone component reveals little evidence for convergence in the PBPs identified
from these taxa. A few sites show a pattern consistent with convergence or parallelism; however, it cannot be ruled out that
these sites share the ancestral state. Two of these sites fall within the proposed binding region of PBPs. These results suggest
that PBPs either have not converged in sequence or have converged at very few sites in response to convergence on the same
pheromone component.
Key words: Pheromone binding proteins — Convergence — Lepidoptera —Pectinophora gossypiella (Gelechiidae) —Synanthedon exitiosa
(Sesiidae) —Yponomeuta cagnagellus (Yponomeutidae)
Received: 29 July 1999 / Accepted: 8 November 1999