Molecular adjustment to a social niche: Brain transcriptomes reveal divergent influence of social environment on the two queen morphs of the ant Temnothorax rugatulus

• DOI: 10.22541/au.169909277.78723068/v1
• Publication Date: 2023-11-04T10:13:02Z
• Authors: Marah Stoldt; Matteo Negroni; Barbara Feldmeyer; Susanne Foitzik
• Keywords: Queen (butterfly); Polygyny; Social Evolution; Ant colony

Social insects form complex societies with division of labor between different female castes. In most species, a single queen heads the colony; in others, several queens share task reproduction. These social organizations are often associated distinct morphologies and life history strategies occur environments. ant Temnothorax rugatulus , two morphs - macrogynes microgynes exist mono- polygynous colonies, respectively, which at lower higher elevations. We analyzed plastic changes brain transcriptomes response to environment these their workers. manipulated number over weeks investigate whether transcriptional activity is influenced by morph, environment, or interaction. Changes gene expression queens’ brains our manipulations were subtle largely interaction rather than independently factors. Macrogynes thus adjust differently environment. Similarly, worker an behavioral type, i.e., nurses foragers, morph. Nurses differentially regulated genes related nutrition depending on suggesting link metabolic dynamics colonies. Overall, study shed light how influences molecular physiology insects. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this morphs, depends morph role colony.