A genomic comparison of two termites with different social complexity

Judith Korb; Michael Thomas-Poulsen; Haofu Hu; Cai Li; Jacobus Jan Boomsma; Guojie Zhang; Jürgen Liebig

doi:10.3389/fgene.2015.00009

A genomic comparison of two termites with different social complexity

Judith Korb, Michael Thomas-Poulsen, Haofu Hu, Cai Li, Jacobus Jan Boomsma, Guojie Zhang, Jürgen Liebig

Ecology and Evolution

28 Citations (Scopus)

518 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	9
Journal	Frontiers in Genetics
Volume	6
Number of pages	12
ISSN	1664-8021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2015.00009
Publication status	Published - 2015

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title = "A genomic comparison of two termites with different social complexity",

abstract = "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.",

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T1 - A genomic comparison of two termites with different social complexity

AU - Korb, Judith

AU - Thomas-Poulsen, Michael

AU - Hu, Haofu

AU - Li, Cai

AU - Boomsma, Jacobus Jan

AU - Zhang, Guojie

AU - Liebig, Jürgen

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.3389/fgene.2015.00009

DO - 10.3389/fgene.2015.00009

M3 - Journal article

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SN - 1664-8021

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JO - Frontiers in Genetics

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A genomic comparison of two termites with different social complexity

Abstract

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