Changes in gene expression align with behavioural differences in reproductive choices in a social beetle

Insectes Sociaux, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 72(1), P. 89 - 98

Published: Jan. 5, 2025

Abstract Social insects often share their colony with individuals of different relatedness levels and life stages. When no reproductive depression is in place, a female must choose whether to stay her natal group possibly limit potential or leave establish new colony. The factors governing following this decision are still largely unknown. date stone beetle Coccotrypes dactyliperda (Curculiondae) resides galleries carved inside seeds. Sibling mating common species. While most females raise offspring sisters, some start own, regardless resources’ availability within the group. In study, we hypothesized that dispersing should present physiological changes consistent anticipated challenges, including finding host egg laying, while physiology seed demonstrate related cohabiting an existing nest. To test our hypothesis, examined development ovaries ‘stayers’ ‘dispersers’ females. addition, sequenced analysed transcriptome pooled groups sisters. Our transcriptomic results indicate who left exhibit greater ovarian development. data revealed further differences between two groups, higher expression cuticle-related genes chose We discuss possible roles these continued

Language: Английский

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Genome-Wide Profiling of P450 Gene Expression Reveals Caste-Specific and Developmental Patterns in Solenopsis invicta

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(7), P. 3212 - 3212

Published: March 30, 2025

P450 enzymes are integral to insect physiology, metabolism, hormone regulation, and adaptation environmental challenges. By leveraging transcriptomic genomic data, this study characterized the expression of 68 unique genes across developmental stages castes in red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), uncovering stage- caste-specific differential patterns. Genes from CYP4, CYP6, CYP9 families, known for metabolizing exogenous endogenous compounds, were highly expressed early larval minim workers, underscoring their roles supporting rapid growth, colony maintenance, brood care. The overexpression CYP4AA1—linked pheromone production—in queens, female alates, alate pupae highlights its critical functions reproductive dominance, social structure dynamics. Here, juvenile biosynthesis genes, including CYP305A1 CYP315A1, exhibited significant later instar larvae larger emphasizing development fulfilling colony-wide physiological demands. “Halloween genes” (CYP302A1, CYP306A1, CYP307A1, CYP314A1) CYP18A1 demonstrated dynamic regulation castes, reflecting essential contributions hormonal production balance throughout S. invicta’s lifecycle. These findings offer valuable insights into molecular biological mechanisms driving organization, transitions, adaptations, evolutionary success. They also provide a foundation future research regulatory pathways governing gene function.

Language: Английский

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Genomic signatures of eusocial evolution in insects

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 61, P. 101136 - 101136

Published: Nov. 3, 2023

Language: Английский

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Gene regulation supporting sociality shared across lineages and variation in complexity

Genome, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 67(4), P. 99 - 108

Published: Dec. 14, 2023

Across evolutionary lineages, insects vary in social complexity, from those that exhibit extended parental care to with elaborate divisions of labor. Here, we synthesize the sociogenomic resources hundreds species describe common gene regulatory mechanisms regulate organization across phylogeny and levels complexity. Different phenotypes expressed by can be linked co-expressing networks features epigenetic landscape. Insect sociality also stems processes like emergence decoupling ancestral genetic programs. One underexplored avenue is how variation a group's environment affects expression individuals. Additionally, an experimental reduction would demonstrate activity specific genes contributes insect phenotypes. While tissue specificity provides greater localization underlying emerging transcriptomic analysis brains at cellular level even resolution understand molecular basis evolution.

Language: Английский

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Social aphids: emerging model for studying insect sociality

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 64, P. 101205 - 101205

Published: July 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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Genomic analyses of the southern and eastern yellowjacket wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) reveal evolutionary signatures of social life

Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 117(6), P. 286 - 300

Published: Oct. 16, 2024

Abstract Insects have evolved remarkably complex social systems. Social wasps are particularly noteworthy because they display gradations in behaviors. Here, we sequence the genomes of two highly diverged Vespula wasps, V. squamosa and maculifrons Buysson (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), to gain greater insight into evolution sociality. Both that live large colonies characterized by distinct queen worker castes. However, is a facultative parasite, its frequent host. We found both species were ~200 Mbp size, similar genome sizes congeneric species. Analyses gene expression from members different castes developmental stages revealed similarities patterns among immature life stages. also evidence DNA methylation within directly analyzing reads. Moreover, genes uniformly expressed relatively methylated. further uncovered differences molecular taxa, consistent with exhibiting alterations evolutionary pressures associated facultatively parasitic or polygyne history. Finally, rates correlated variation between stages, as expected if more subject stronger levels selection. Overall, this study expands our understanding how behavior relates insects.

Language: Английский

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The Eusocial Non-Code: Unveiling the Impact of Noncoding RNAs on Hymenoptera Eusocial Evolution.

Non-coding RNA Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11, P. 48 - 59

Published: Oct. 30, 2024

Eusociality, characterized by reproductive division of labor, cooperative brood care, and multi-generational cohabitation, represents a pinnacle complex social evolution, most notably manifested within the Hymenoptera order including bees, ants, wasps. The molecular underpinnings underlying these sophisticated structures remain an enigma, with noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) emerging as crucial regulatory players. This article delves into roles ncRNAs in exerting epigenetic control during development maintenance Hymenopteran eusociality. We consolidate current findings on various classes ncRNAs, underscoring their influence gene expression regulation pertinent to caste differentiation, developmental plasticity, behavioral modulation. Evidence is explored supporting hypothesis that contribute landscapes fostering eusocial traits through genomic regulation. They are likely play important role eusociality "point no return". Critical analysis provided functional insights garnered from ncRNA profiles correlated caste-specific phenotypes, specifical for phylogenetic branches transitional sociality models, drawing comparative genomics transcriptomics studies. Overall, provides missed understanding both "genetic toolkit" "unique genes" hypotheses development. Moreover, it points gaps knowledge, advocating integrative approaches combining genomics, proteomics, epigenetics decipher complexity Understanding contributions offers not only window intricacies but also extends our comprehension how biological systems evolve function.

Language: Английский

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Special Issue “Transcriptomics in the Study of Insect Biology”

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(23), P. 12582 - 12582

Published: Nov. 22, 2024

Transcriptomics is at the intersection of molecular biology and genetics, studies complete set transcripts that are synthesized in a cell or organism under certain conditions [...].

Language: Английский

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Editorial overview: From -omics to insight: Applying modern technology to studies of nonmodel insect evolution and diversification

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 62, P. 101156 - 101156

Published: Dec. 21, 2023

Language: Английский

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