Glial cells diverge in fly brain evolution

by Yaoyu Jiao, Trevor R. Sorrells How animal brains evolve to support ecological specialization is poorly understood. A recent PLOS Biology study reveals that glial cells show the most dramatic molecular and cellular changes in the brains of fruit flies adapted to a toxic niche, highlighting their underappreciated role in brain evolution. How animal brains evolve to support ecological specialization is poorly understood. This Primer explores a recent PLOS Biology study which reveals that glial cells show the most dramatic molecular and cellular changes in the brains of fruit flies adapted to a toxic niche, highlighting their underappreciated role in brain evolution.

May 12, 2025 - 10:11
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Glial cells diverge in fly brain evolution

by Yaoyu Jiao, Trevor R. Sorrells How animal brains evolve to support ecological specialization is poorly understood. A recent PLOS Biology study reveals that glial cells show the most dramatic molecular and cellular changes in the brains of fruit flies adapted to a toxic niche, highlighting their underappreciated role in brain evolution. How animal brains evolve to support ecological specialization is poorly understood. This Primer explores a recent PLOS Biology study which reveals that glial cells show the most dramatic molecular and cellular changes in the brains of fruit flies adapted to a toxic niche, highlighting their underappreciated role in brain evolution.