Matching Items (3)
128265-Thumbnail Image.png
Description

The termites evolved eusociality and complex societies before the ants, but have been studied much less. The recent publication of the first two termite genomes provides a unique comparative opportunity, particularly because the sequenced termites represent opposite ends of the social complexity spectrum. Zootermopsis nevadensis has simple colonies with totipotent

The termites evolved eusociality and complex societies before the ants, but have been studied much less. The recent publication of the first two termite genomes provides a unique comparative opportunity, particularly because the sequenced termites represent opposite ends of the social complexity spectrum. Zootermopsis nevadensis has simple colonies with totipotent workers that can develop into all castes (dispersing reproductives, nest-inheriting replacement reproductives, and soldiers). In contrast, the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes natalensis belongs to the higher termites and has very large and complex societies with morphologically distinct castes that are life-time sterile. Here we compare key characteristics of genomic architecture, focusing on genes involved in communication, immune defenses, mating biology and symbiosis that were likely important in termite social evolution. We discuss these in relation to what is known about these genes in the ants and outline hypothesis for further testing.

ContributorsKorb, Judith (Author) / Poulsen, Michael (Author) / Hu, Haofu (Author) / Li, Cai (Author) / Boomsma, Jacobus J. (Author) / Zhang, Guojie (Author) / Liebig, Juergen (Author) / College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Contributor)
Created2015-03-04
128231-Thumbnail Image.png
Description

Although eusociality evolved independently within several orders of insects, research into the molecular underpinnings of the transition towards social complexity has been confined primarily to Hymenoptera (for example, ants and bees). Here we sequence the genome and stage-specific transcriptomes of the dampwood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis (Blattodea) and compare them with

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

ContributorsTerrapon, Nicolas (Author) / Li, Cai (Author) / Robertson, Hugh M. (Author) / Ji, Lu (Author) / Meng, Xuehong (Author) / Booth, Warren (Author) / Chen, Zhensheng (Author) / Childers, Christopher P. (Author) / Glastad, Karl M. (Author) / Gokhale, Kaustubh (Author) / Gowin, Johannes (Author) / Gronenberg, Wulfila (Author) / Hermansen, Russell A. (Author) / Hu, Haofu (Author) / Hunt, Brendan G. (Author) / Huylmans, Ann Kathrin (Author) / Khalil, Sayed M. S. (Author) / Mitchell, Robert D. (Author) / Munoz-Torres, Monica C. (Author) / Mustard, Julie (Author) / Pan, Hailin (Author) / Reese, Justin T. (Author) / Scharf, Michael E. (Author) / Sun, Fengming (Author) / Vogel, Heiko (Author) / Xiao, Jin (Author) / Yang, Wei (Author) / Yang, Zhikai (Author) / Yang, Zuoquan (Author) / Zhou, Jiajian (Author) / Zhu, Jiwei (Author) / Brent, Colin S. (Author) / Elsik, Christine G. (Author) / Goodisman, Michael A. D. (Author) / Liberles, David A. (Author) / Roe, R. Michael (Author) / Vargo, Edward L. (Author) / Vilcinskas, Andreas (Author) / Wang, Jun (Author) / Bornberg-Bauer, Erich (Author) / Korb, Judith (Author) / Zhang, Guojie (Author) / Liebig, Juergen (Author) / College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05-20
128564-Thumbnail Image.png
Description

Epigenetic inheritance plays an important role in mediating alternative phenotype in highly social species. In order to gain a greater understanding of epigenetic effects in societies, we investigated DNA methylation in the termite Zootermopsis nevadensis. Termites are the most ancient social insects, and developmentally distinct from highly-studied, hymenopteran social insects.

Epigenetic inheritance plays an important role in mediating alternative phenotype in highly social species. In order to gain a greater understanding of epigenetic effects in societies, we investigated DNA methylation in the termite Zootermopsis nevadensis. Termites are the most ancient social insects, and developmentally distinct from highly-studied, hymenopteran social insects. We used replicated bisulfite-sequencing to investigate patterns of DNA methylation in both sexes and among castes of Z. nevadensis. We discovered that Z. nevadensis displayed some of the highest levels of DNA methylation found in insects. We also found strong differences in methylation between castes. Methylated genes tended to be uniformly and highly expressed demonstrating the antiquity of associations between intragenic methylation and gene expression. Differentially methylated genes were more likely to be alternatively spliced than not differentially methylated genes, and possessed considerable enrichment for development-associated functions. We further observed strong overrepresentation of multiple transcription factor binding sites and miRNA profiles associated with differential methylation, providing new insights into the possible function of DNA methylation. Overall, our results show that DNA methylation is widespread and associated with caste differences in termites. More generally, this study provides insights into the function of DNA methylation and the success of insect societies.

ContributorsGlastad, Karl M. (Author) / Gokhale, Kaustubh (Author) / Liebig, Juergen (Author) / Goodisman, Michael A. D. (Author) / College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Contributor)
Created2016-11-16