Molecular traces of alternative social organization in a termite genome

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4636
• Publication Date: 2014-05-20T14:59:37Z
• Authors: Nicolas Terrapon; Cai Li; Hugh M. Robertson; Lu Ji; Xuehong Meng; Warren Booth; Zhensheng Chen; Christopher P. Ch...; Karl M. Glastad; Kaustubh Gokhale; Johannes Gowin; Wulfila Gronenberg; Russell A. Hermansen; Haofu Hu; Brendan G. Hunt; Ann Kathrin Huylmans; Sayed M. S. Khalil; Robert D. Mitchell; Monica C. Munoz-T...; Julie A. Mustard; Hailin Pan; Justin T. Reese; Michael E. Scharf; Fengming Sun; Heiko Vogel; Jin Xiao; Wei Yang; Zhikai Yang; Zuoquan Yang; Jiajian Zhou; Jiwei Zhu; Colin S. Brent; Christine G. Elsik; Michael A. D. Goo...; David A. Liberles; R. Michael Roe; Edward L. Vargo; Andreas Vilcinskas; Jun Wang; Erich Bornberg-Bauer; Judith Korb; Guojie Zhang; Jürgen Liebig
• Keywords: Eusociality; Polygyny

Although eusociality evolved independently within several orders of insects, research into the molecular underpinnings transition towards social complexity has been confined primarily to Hymenoptera (for example, ants and bees). Here we sequence genome stage-specific transcriptomes dampwood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis (Blattodea) compare them with similar data for eusocial Hymenoptera, better identify commonalities differences in achieving this significant transition. We show an expansion genes related male fertility, upregulated gene expression reproductive individuals reflecting profound mating biology relative Hymenoptera. For chemoreceptor families, divergent numbers genes, which may correspond more claustral lifestyle these termites. also similarities number caste determination mechanisms. Finally, patterns DNA methylation alternative splicing support a hypothesized epigenetic regulation differentiation. termites are major human pests, they have important role maintaining ecosystem function biodiversity. Here, authors highlight that be involved mechanisms underlying insect behaviour.