The Skeletomuscular System of the Mesosoma of Formica rufa Workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Insect Systematics and Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 6(2)

Published: March 1, 2022

Abstract The mesosoma is the power core of ant, containing critical structural and muscular elements for movement head, legs, metasoma. It has been hypothesized that adaptation to ground locomotion loss flight led substantial rearrangements in worker ants it likely ant undergone functional modifications as diversified into different ecological behavioral niches. Despite this importance, studies on anatomy are still scarce, there limited understanding important variation internal structures across phylogeny. Recent advances imaging techniques have made possible digitally dissect small insects, document efficiently detail, visualize these data 3D. Here we mesosomal skeletomuscular system workers red wood Formica rufa Linnaeus, 1761, use establish a 3D atlas will serve reference work further studies. We discuss illustrate configuration components function muscles interaction with skeletal elements. This anatomical evaluation ‘generalized’ provides template future radiation Formicidae, ultimate objective synthesizing structural, functional, transformational information understand evolution crucial body region ants.

Language: Английский

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Worker Reproduction and Caste Polymorphism Impact Genome Evolution and Social Genes Across the Ants

Genome Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(6)

Published: May 27, 2023

Abstract Eusocial insects are characterized by several traits, including reproductive division of labor and caste polymorphisms, which likely modulate genome evolution. Concomitantly, evolution may act on specific genes pathways underlying these novel, sociality-associated phenotypes. Reproductive should increase the magnitude genetic drift reduce efficacy selection reducing effective population size. Caste polymorphism has been associated with relaxed facilitate directional caste-specific genes. Here, we use comparative analyses 22 ant genomes to test how worker influence positive intensity across genome. Our results demonstrate that capacity is a reduction in degree but not any significant change selection. We find decreases species polymorphic workers, no Finally, explore evolutionary patterns candidate our focal traits eusocial insects. Two oocyte patterning previously implicated sterility evolve under intensified workers. Behavioral generally experience polymorphism, whereas vestigial spalt, both soldier development Pheidole ants, species. These findings expand understanding mechanisms elaborations sociality. The impacts polymorphisms illuminate those genes’ roles generating complex

Language: Английский

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The Molecular Substrates of Insect Eusociality

Annual Review of Genetics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 58(1), P. 273 - 295

Published: Aug. 15, 2024

The evolution of eusociality in Hymenoptera—encompassing bees, ants, and wasps—is characterized by multiple gains losses social living, making this group a prime model to understand the mechanisms that underlie behavior complexity. Our review synthesizes insights into evolutionary history molecular basis eusociality. We examine new evidence for key hypotheses pathways regulate behaviors, highlighting convergent on shared toolkit includes insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) target rapamycin (TOR) pathways, juvenile hormone ecdysteroid signaling, epigenetic regulation. emphasize how crosstalk among these nutrient-sensing endocrine enables insects integrate external environmental stimuli, including cues, with internal physiology behavior. argue examining as an integrated regulatory circuit exploring architecture evolves alongside can open door understanding origin complex life histories behaviors group.

Language: Английский

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Juvenile hormone as a key regulator for asymmetric caste differentiation in ants

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(46)

Published: Nov. 4, 2024

Caste differentiation involves many functional traits that diverge during larval growth and metamorphosis to produce adults irreversibly adapted reproductive division of labor. Investigating developmental is important for general biological understanding has increasingly been explored social phenotypes in parallel from similar genotypes. Here, we use Monomorium pharaonis ants investigate the extent which canalized worker development can be shifted toward gyne (virgin-queen) by juvenile hormone (JH) treatment. We show excess JH activate gyne-biased workers so wing-buds, ocelli, antennal genital imaginal discs, flight muscles, gyne-like fat bodies brains emerge after pupation. However, ovary remained unresponsive treatment, indicating JH-sensitive germline sequestration happens well before somatic differentiation. Our findings reveal qualitative restrictions treatment redirect these constraints are independent body size. corroborate a key inducing caste but this process asymmetric higher colony-level versus superorganisms as defined century ago Wheeler. quantified gene expression changes response throughout identified set genes responsible emergence traits. study suggests gonadotropic role maturation individual level solitary insects colony an evolutionary-derived highly polygynous superorganism like pharaoh ant.

Language: Английский

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The evolution of sensitive periods in development: insights from insects

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 36, P. 71 - 78

Published: Sept. 19, 2020

Language: Английский

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