1
|
Brenman-Suttner D, Zayed A. An integrative genomic toolkit for studying the genetic, evolutionary, and molecular underpinnings of eusociality in insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 65:101231. [PMID: 38977215 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
While genomic resources for social insects have vastly increased over the past two decades, we are still far from understanding the genetic and molecular basis of eusociality. Here, we briefly review three scientific advancements that, when integrated, can be highly synergistic for advancing our knowledge of the genetics and evolution of eusocial traits. Population genomics provides a natural way to quantify the strength of natural selection on coding and regulatory sequences, highlighting genes that have undergone adaptive evolution during the evolution or maintenance of eusociality. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can be used to characterize the complex genetic architecture underlying eusocial traits and identify candidate causal variants. Concurrently, CRISPR/Cas9 enables the precise manipulation of gene function to both validate genotype-phenotype associations and study the molecular biology underlying interesting traits. While each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, which we discuss herein, we argue that their combination will ultimately help us better understand the genetics and evolution of eusocial behavior. Specifically, by triangulating across these three different approaches, researchers can directly identify and study loci that have a causal association with key phenotypes and have evidence of positive selection over the relevant timescales associated with the evolution and maintenance of eusociality in insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amro Zayed
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shirokawa Y. Evolutionary stability of developmental commitment. Biosystems 2024; 244:105309. [PMID: 39151881 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2024.105309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Evolution of unicellular to multicellular organisms must resolve conflicts in reproductive interests between individual cells and the group. The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum is a soil-living eukaryote with facultative sociality. While cells grow in the presence of nutrients, cells aggregate under starvation to form fruiting bodies containing spores and altruistic stalk cells. Once cells socially committed, they complete formation of fruiting bodies, even if a new source of nutrients becomes available. The persistence of this social commitment raises questions as it inhibits individual cells from swiftly returning to solitary growth. I hypothesize that traits enabling premature de-commitment are hindered from being selected. Recent work has revealed outcomes of the premature de-commitment through forced refeeding; The de-committed cells take an altruistic prestalk-like position due to their reduced cohesiveness through interactions with socially committed cells. I constructed an evolutionary model assuming their division of labor. The results revealed a valley in the fitness landscape that prevented invasion of de-committing mutants, indicating evolutionary stability of the social commitment. The findings provide a general scheme that maintains multicellularity by evolving a specific division of labor, in which less cohesive individuals become altruists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Shirokawa
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cullen G, Delargy E, Dearden PK. Development of germline progenitors in larval queen honeybee ovaries. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060511. [PMID: 39263864 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are a keystone species for managed pollination and the production of hive products. Eusociality in honeybees leads to much of the reproduction in a hive driven by the queen. Queen bees have two large active ovaries that can produce large numbers of eggs if conditions are appropriate. These ovaries are also active throughout the long lives of these insects, up to 5 years in some cases. Recent studies have indicated that the germline precursors of the adult honeybee queen ovary are organized into 8-cell clusters, joined together by a polyfusome; a cytoplasmic bridge. To understand the origin of these clusters, and trace the development of the honeybee queen ovary, we examined the cell types and regionalization of the developing larval and pupal queen ovaries. We used established (nanos and castor), and novel (odd skipped) gene expression markers to determine regions of the developing ovary. Primordial germline cells develop in the honeybee embryo and are organized into ovary structures before the embryo hatches. The ovary is regionalized by larval stage 3 into terminal filaments and germaria. At this stage, clusters of germline cells in the germaria are joined by fusomes and are dividing synchronously. The origin of the 8-cell clusters in the adult germarium is therefore during larval stages. On emergence, the queen ovary has terminal filaments and germaria but has not yet developed any vitellaria, which are produced after the queen embarks on a nuptial flight. The lack of germaria, and the storing of germline progenitors as clusters, may be adaptions for queen bees to endure the metabolic demands of a nuptial flight, as well as rapidly lay large numbers of eggs to establish a hive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Cullen
- Genomics Aotearoa, Bioprotection Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Erin Delargy
- Genomics Aotearoa, Bioprotection Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa, Bioprotection Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Straub L, Sittisorn T, Butdee J, Promsart W, Rueangwong A, Camenzind D, Maitip J. Age-dependent hypopharyngeal gland size and protein content of stingless bee workers, Tetragonula pagdeni. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308950. [PMID: 39150928 PMCID: PMC11329107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Eusocial insects, such as stingless bees (Meliponini), depend on division of labour, overlapping generations, and collaborative brood care to ensure the functionality and success of their colony. Female workers transition through a range of age-specific tasks during their lifespan (i.e., age-polyethism) and play a central role in the success of a colony. These age-specific tasks (e.g., brood care or foraging) often closely coincide with key physiological changes necessary to ensure optimal performance. However, our understanding of how nutrition, age, and polyethism may affect the development of such physiological traits in stingless bees remains limited. Here we show that pollen consumption and age-polyethism govern hypopharyngeal gland (HPG) acini size and protein content in Tetragonula pagdeni. By conducting a controlled laboratory experiment we monitored the effect of pollen consumption on worker bee survival as well as assessed how a pollen diet and age affected their HPG acini width and protein content. Further, we sampled nurses and foragers from field colonies to measure the effect of age-polyethism on HPG acini width. We found that pollen consumption enhanced survival and led to increased HPG acini width and protein content and that HPG acini were as expected largest in nurse bees. Our findings highlight the beneficial effects of an adequate diet for physiological development and health in stingless bees and reveal that age-polyethism is the key factor governing HPG size in worker bees. As HPGs are imperative for collaborative brood care-an essential component of eusociality-the data provide a foundation for future studies to investigate the impact of potential environmental stressors on a critical physiological trait in stingless bees which may serve as a proxy to understand the effects at the colony level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lars Straub
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong, Thailand
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Behaviour, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Tanatip Sittisorn
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong, Thailand
| | - Jinatchaya Butdee
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong, Thailand
| | - Woranika Promsart
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong, Thailand
| | - Athitta Rueangwong
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong, Thailand
| | - Domenic Camenzind
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jakkrawut Maitip
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Doulcier G, Takacs P, Hammerschmidt K, Bourrat P. Stability of ecologically scaffolded traits during evolutionary transitions in individuality. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6566. [PMID: 39095362 PMCID: PMC11297203 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50625-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary transitions in individuality are events in the history of life leading to the emergence of new levels of individuality. Recent studies have described an ecological scaffolding scenario of such transitions focused on the evolutionary consequences of an externally imposed renewing meta-population structure with limited dispersal. One difficulty for such a scenario has been explaining the stability of collective-level traits when scaffolding conditions no longer apply. Here, we show that the stability of scaffolded traits can rely on evolutionary hysteresis: even if the environment is reverted to an ancestral state, collectives do not return to ancestral phenotypes. We describe this phenomenon using a stochastic meta-population model and adaptive dynamics. Further, we show that ecological scaffolding may be limited to Goldilocks zones of the environment. We conjecture that Goldilocks zones-even if they might be rare-could act as initiators of evolutionary transitions and help to explain the near ubiquity of collective-level individuality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilhem Doulcier
- Philosophy Department, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia.
- Theoretical Biology Department, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.
| | - Peter Takacs
- Philosophy Department, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Department of Philosophy and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | | | - Pierrick Bourrat
- Philosophy Department, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia.
- Department of Philosophy and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Sydney, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Walton A, Herman JJ, Rueppell O. Social life results in social stress protection: a novel concept to explain individual life-history patterns in social insects. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1444-1457. [PMID: 38468146 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Resistance to and avoidance of stress slow aging and confer increased longevity in numerous organisms. Honey bees and other superorganismal social insects have two main advantages over solitary species to avoid or resist stress: individuals can directly help each other by resource or information transfer, and they can cooperatively control their environment. These benefits have been recognised in the context of pathogen and parasite stress as the concept of social immunity, which has been extensively studied. However, we argue that social immunity is only a special case of a general concept that we define here as social stress protection to include group-level defences against all biotic and abiotic stressors. We reason that social stress protection may have allowed the evolution of reduced individual-level defences and individual life-history optimization, including the exceptional aging plasticity of many social insects. We describe major categories of stress and how a colonial lifestyle may protect social insects, particularly against temporary peaks of extreme stress. We use the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) to illustrate how patterns of life expectancy may be explained by social stress protection and how modern beekeeping practices can disrupt social stress protection. We conclude that the broad concept of social stress protection requires rigorous empirical testing because it may have implications for our general understanding of social evolution and specifically for improving honey bee health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Walton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405, Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jacob J Herman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405, Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405, Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Orr SE, Hedrick NA, Murray KA, Pasupuleti AK, Kovacs JL, Goodisman MAD. Genetic and environmental effects on morphological traits of social phenotypes in wasps. Heredity (Edinb) 2024; 133:126-136. [PMID: 38918612 PMCID: PMC11286790 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-024-00701-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Many species exhibit distinct phenotypic classes, such as sexes in dioecious species or castes in social species. The evolution of these classes is affected by the genetic architecture governing traits shared between phenotypes. However, estimates of the genetic and environmental factors contributing to phenotypic variation in distinct classes have rarely been examined. We studied the genetic architecture underlying morphological traits in phenotypic classes in the social wasp Vespula maculifrons. Our data revealed patriline effects on a few traits, indicating weak genetic influences on caste phenotypic variation. Interestingly, traits exhibited higher heritability in queens than workers. This result suggests that genetic variation has a stronger influence on trait variation in the queen caste than the worker caste, which is unexpected because queens typically experience direct selection. Moreover, estimates of heritability for traits were correlated between the castes, indicating that variability in trait size was governed by similar genetic architecture in the two castes. However, we failed to find evidence for a significant relationship between caste dimorphism and caste correlation, as would be expected if trait evolution was constrained by intralocus genetic conflict. Our analyses also uncovered variation in the allometric relationships for traits. These analyses suggested that worker traits were proportionally smaller than queen traits for most traits examined. Overall, our data provide evidence for a strong environmental and moderate genetic basis of trait variation among castes. Moreover, our results suggest that selection previously operated on caste phenotype in this species, and phenotypic variation is now governed primarily by environmental differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Orr
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, 30318, Georgia
| | - Nicole A Hedrick
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, 30318, Georgia
| | - Kayla A Murray
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, 30318, Georgia
| | - Abhinav K Pasupuleti
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, 30318, Georgia
| | - Jennifer L Kovacs
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, 30318, Georgia
- Agnes Scott College, Department of Biology, 141 East College Avenue, Decatur, 30030, Georgia
| | - Michael A D Goodisman
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, 30318, Georgia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mikhailova AA, Dohmen E, Harrison MC. Major changes in domain arrangements are associated with the evolution of termites. J Evol Biol 2024; 37:758-769. [PMID: 38630634 DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voae047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Domains as functional protein units and their rearrangements along the phylogeny can shed light on the functional changes of proteomes associated with the evolution of complex traits like eusociality. This complex trait is associated with sterile soldiers and workers, and long-lived, highly fecund reproductives. Unlike in Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps), the evolution of eusociality within Blattodea, where termites evolved from within cockroaches, was accompanied by a reduction in proteome size, raising the question of whether functional novelty was achieved with existing rather than novel proteins. To address this, we investigated the role of domain rearrangements during the evolution of termite eusociality. Analysing domain rearrangements in the proteomes of three solitary cockroaches and five eusocial termites, we inferred more than 5,000 rearrangements over the phylogeny of Blattodea. The 90 novel domain arrangements that emerged at the origin of termites were enriched for several functions related to longevity, such as protein homeostasis, DNA repair, mitochondrial activity, and nutrient sensing. Many domain rearrangements were related to changes in developmental pathways, important for the emergence of novel castes. Along with the elaboration of social complexity, including permanently sterile workers and larger, foraging colonies, we found 110 further domain arrangements with functions related to protein glycosylation and ion transport. We found an enrichment of caste-biased expression and splicing within rearranged genes, highlighting their importance for the evolution of castes. Furthermore, we found increased levels of DNA methylation among rearranged compared to non-rearranged genes suggesting fundamental differences in their regulation. Our findings indicate the importance of domain rearrangements in the generation of functional novelty necessary for termite eusociality to evolve.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alina A Mikhailova
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Elias Dohmen
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mark C Harrison
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sieriebriennikov B, Sieber KR, Kolumba O, Mlejnek J, Jafari S, Yan H. Orco-dependent survival of odorant receptor neurons in ants. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk9000. [PMID: 38848359 PMCID: PMC11160473 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk9000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Olfaction is essential for complex social behavior in insects. To discriminate complex social cues, ants evolved an expanded number of odorant receptor (Or) genes. Mutations in the obligate odorant co-receptor gene orco lead to the loss of ~80% of the antennal lobe glomeruli in the jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator. However, the cellular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate massive apoptosis of odorant receptor neurons (ORNs) in the mid to late stages of pupal development, possibly due to ER stress in the absence of Orco. Further bulk and single-nucleus transcriptome analysis shows that, although most orco-expressing ORNs die in orco mutants, a small proportion of them survive: They express ionotropic receptor (Ir) genes that form IR complexes. In addition, we found that some Or genes are expressed in mechanosensory neurons and nonneuronal cells, possibly due to leaky regulation from nearby non-Or genes. Our findings provide a comprehensive overview of ORN development and Or expression in H. saltator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Sieriebriennikov
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kayli R. Sieber
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Center for Smell and Taste, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Olena Kolumba
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jakub Mlejnek
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Shadi Jafari
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Center for Smell and Taste, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sosiak C, Cockx P, Suarez PA, McKellar R, Barden P. Prolonged faunal turnover in earliest ants revealed by North American Cretaceous amber. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1755-1761.e6. [PMID: 38521061 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
All ∼14,000 extant ant species descended from the same common ancestor, which lived ∼140-120 million years ago (Ma).1,2 While modern ants began to diversify in the Cretaceous, recent fossil evidence has demonstrated that older lineages concomitantly occupied the same ancient ecosystems.3 These early-diverging ant lineages, or stem ants, left no modern descendants; however, they dominated the fossil record throughout the Cretaceous until their ultimate extinction sometime around the K-Pg boundary. Even as stem ant lineages appear to be diverse and abundant throughout the Cretaceous, the extent of their longevity in the fossil record and circumstances contributing to their extinction remain unknown.3 Here we report the youngest stem ants, preserved in ∼77 Ma Cretaceous amber from North Carolina, which illustrate unexpected morphological stability and lineage persistence in this enigmatic group, rivaling the longevity of contemporary ants. Through phylogenetic reconstruction and morphometric analyses, we find evidence that total taxic turnover in ants was not accompanied by a fundamental morphological shift, in contrast to other analogous stem extinctions such as theropod dinosaurs. While stem taxa showed broad morphological variation, high-density ant morphospace remained relatively constant through the last 100 million years, detailing a parallel, but temporally staggered, evolutionary history of modern and stem ants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Sosiak
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan; Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
| | - Pierre Cockx
- Biology Department, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
| | | | - Ryan McKellar
- Biology Department, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada; Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina, SK S4P 4W7, Canada.
| | - Phillip Barden
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Devkota K, dos Santos CF, Souza-Santos PD, Ramos JD, Otesbelgue A, Mishra BP, Almeida EAB, Blochtein B. Pollen diet diversity across bee lineages varies with lifestyle rather than colony size. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2024; 24:1. [PMID: 38442352 PMCID: PMC10914374 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The shift to a pollen diet and the evolution of more highly organized societies, i.e., eusocial, were key milestones in bee diversification over their evolutionary history, culminating in a high dependence on feeding broods with a large variety of floral resources. Here, we hypothesized that obligatory eusocial bees have a wider diet diversity than their relatives with solitary lifestyles, and this would be related to colony size. To test both hypotheses, we surveyed diet breadth data (palynological analysis) based on the Shannon-Wiener index (H') for 85 bee taxa. We also obtained colony size for 47 eusocial bee species. These data were examined using phylogenetic comparative methods. The results support the generalist strategy as a derived trait for the bee taxa evaluated here. The dietary diversity of eusocial bees (H': 2.1, on average) was 67.5% higher than that of noneusocial bees (H': 1.21, on average). There was, however, no relationship between diet breadth and colony size, indicating that smaller colonies can harvest a pollen variety as diverse as larger colonies. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the impact of lifestyle on the diversity of collected pollen. Furthermore, this work sheds light on an advantage of living in more highly structured societies irrespective of the size of the colony.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kedar Devkota
- Faculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
| | - Charles F dos Santos
- Departamento de Fitossanidade, Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 7712, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Patrick D Souza-Santos
- Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Biologia do Desenvolvimento de Abelhas, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3.900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Jenifer D Ramos
- Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Rodovia SP-340, Km 127.5, Jaguariúna, São Paulo 13918-110, Brazil
| | - Alex Otesbelgue
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Department of Zoology, Bird and Mammal Evolution, Systematics and Ecology Lab, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 43435, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90650-001, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo A B Almeida
- Laboratório de Biologia Comparada e Abelhas, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Betina Blochtein
- Mais Abelhas Consultoria Ambiental Co., Avenida Ipiranga, 6681, Partenon, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nguyen JB, Marshall CW, Cook CN. The buzz within: the role of the gut microbiome in honeybee social behavior. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246400. [PMID: 38344873 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Gut symbionts influence the physiology and behavior of their host, but the extent to which these effects scale to social behaviors is an emerging area of research. The use of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a model enables researchers to investigate the gut microbiome and behavior at several levels of social organization. Insight into gut microbial effects at the societal level is critical for our understanding of how involved microbial symbionts are in host biology. In this Commentary, we discuss recent findings in honeybee gut microbiome research and synthesize these with knowledge of the physiology and behavior of other model organisms to hypothesize how host-microbe interactions at the individual level could shape societal dynamics and evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J B Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C W Marshall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C N Cook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mikhailova AA, Rinke S, Harrison MC. Genomic signatures of eusocial evolution in insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 61:101136. [PMID: 37922983 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The genomes of eusocial insects allow the production and regulation of highly distinct phenotypes, largely independent of genotype. Although rare, eusociality has evolved convergently in at least three insect orders (Hymenoptera, Blattodea and Coleoptera). Despite such disparate origins, eusocial phenotypes show remarkable similarity, exhibiting long-lived reproductives and short-lived sterile workers and soldiers. In this article, we review current knowledge on genomic signatures of eusocial evolution. We confirm that especially an increased regulatory complexity and the adaptive evolution of chemical communication are common to several origins of eusociality. Furthermore, colony life itself can shape genomes of divergent taxa in a similar manner. Future research should be geared towards generating more high-quality genomic resources, especially in hitherto understudied clades, such as ambrosia beetles and termites. The application of more sophisticated tools such as machine learning techniques may allow the detection of more subtle convergent genomic footprints of eusociality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alina A Mikhailova
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasße 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Sarah Rinke
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasße 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Mark C Harrison
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasße 1, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Salles LFP, de Aguiar MAM, Marquitti FMD. Evolution of cooperation in a two-species system with a common resource pool. J Theor Biol 2024; 577:111670. [PMID: 37981098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the evolution of cooperation is a major question in Evolutionary Biology. Here, we extend a previously proposed mathematical model in Evolutionary Game Theory that investigated how resource use by a single species composed of cooperators and defectors may lead to its maintenance or extinction. We include another species in the model, so as to investigate how different intra and interspecific interactions of cooperative or competitive nature among individuals that share the same essential resource may drive the survival and evolution of the species. Several outcomes emerge from the model, depending on the configuration of the payoff matrix, the individual contribution to the resource pool, the competition intensity between species, and the initial conditions of the system dynamics. Observed results include scenarios in which species thrive due to the action of cooperators, but also scenarios in which both species collapse due to lack of cooperation and, consequently, of resources. In particular, a high initial availability of resources may be the determinant factor to the survival of both species. Interestingly, cooperation may be more favored when individuals have less incentive to cooperate with others, and the survival of their populations may depend crucially on their competitive capacities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Flavia Maria Darcie Marquitti
- Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Panyushev N, Selitskiy M, Melnichenko V, Lebedev E, Okorokova L, Adonin L. Dynamic Evolution of Repetitive Elements and Chromatin States in Apis mellifera Subspecies. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:89. [PMID: 38254978 PMCID: PMC10815273 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we elucidate the contribution of repetitive DNA sequences to the establishment of social structures in honeybees (Apis mellifera). Despite recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of honeybee castes, primarily associated with Notch signaling, the comprehensive identification of specific genomic cis-regulatory sequences remains elusive. Our objective is to characterize the repetitive landscape within the genomes of two honeybee subspecies, namely A. m. mellifera and A. m. ligustica. An observed recent burst of repeats in A. m. mellifera highlights a notable distinction between the two subspecies. After that, we transitioned to identifying differentially expressed DNA elements that may function as cis-regulatory elements. Nevertheless, the expression of these sequences showed minimal disparity in the transcriptome during caste differentiation, a pivotal process in honeybee eusocial organization. Despite this, chromatin segmentation, facilitated by ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq data, revealed a distinct chromatin state associated with repeats. Lastly, an analysis of sequence divergence among elements indicates successive changes in repeat states, correlating with their respective time of origin. Collectively, these findings propose a potential role of repeats in acquiring novel regulatory functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nick Panyushev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, 197342 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Max Selitskiy
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Vasilina Melnichenko
- International Scientific and Research Institute of Bioengineering, ITMO University, 197101 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Egor Lebedev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Leonid Adonin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Group of Mechanisms for Nanosystems Targeted Delivery, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Engelhardt SC, Weladji RB, Holand Ø, Røed KH, Nieminen M. Evidence suggesting that reindeer mothers allonurse according to the direct reciprocity and generalized reciprocity decision rules. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295497. [PMID: 38096314 PMCID: PMC10721201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Allonursing is the nursing of the offspring of other mothers. Cooperation is an emergent property of evolved decision rules. Cooperation can be explained by at least three evolved decision rules: 1) direct reciprocity, i.e. help someone who previously helped you, 2) kin discrimination, i.e. preferentially direct help to kin than to non-kin, and 3) generalized reciprocity, i.e. help anyone if helped by someone. We assessed if semi-domesticated reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, mothers allonursed according to the decision rules of direct reciprocity, generalized reciprocity and kin discrimination over 2 years. To assess if reindeer mothers allonursed according to the direct reciprocity decision rule, we predicted that mothers should give more help to those who previously helped them more often. To assess if reindeer mothers allonursed according to the kin discrimination decision rule, we predicted that help given should increase as pairwise genetic relatedness increased. To assess if reindeer mothers allonursed according to the generalized reciprocity decision rule, we predicted that the overall number of help given by reindeer mothers should increase as the overall number of help received by reindeer mothers increased. The number of help given i) increased as the number of help received from the same partner increased in the 2012 group but not in both 2013 groups, ii) was not influenced by relatedness, and iii) was not influenced by an interaction between the number of help received from the same partner and relatedness. iv) The overall number of help given increased as the overall number of help received increased. The results did not support the prediction that reindeer mothers allonursed according to the kin discrimination decision rule. The results suggest that reindeer mothers may allonurse according to the direct reciprocity and generalized reciprocity decision rules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sacha C. Engelhardt
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology und Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Hinterkappelen, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert B. Weladji
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Øystein Holand
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Viken, Norway
| | - Knut H. Røed
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mauri Nieminen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland Luke, Reindeer Research Station, Kaamanen, Lapland, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ren Q, Ma L, Zhang X, Chen L, Mao Z, Li D, Zhang L, Jiang X. Effect of Juvenile Hormone on Worker Behavioral Transition in the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). INSECTS 2023; 14:934. [PMID: 38132607 PMCID: PMC10743645 DOI: 10.3390/insects14120934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The division of labor among workers is a defining characteristic of social insects and plays a pivotal role in enhancing the competitive advantage of their colony. Juvenile hormone (JH) has long been hypothesized to be the essential driver in regulating the division of labor due to its ability to accelerate behavioral transitions in social insects, such as honeybees. The regulation of behavioral transitions by JH in the red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, a typical social pest, is unclear. Through video capture and analysis, we investigated the effects of the juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) methoprene on brood care, phototaxis behavior, and threat responsiveness of RIFA nurse workers. Our results showed that the JHA application significantly reduced the time and frequency of brood care behavior by nurse workers while increasing their walking distance and activity time in the light area. Additionally, the application of JHA made ants become excited, indicating a significant improvement in their activity level (movement distance, time, and speed). Furthermore, it was observed that the application of JHA did not affect the threat responsiveness of nurse workers towards stimuli (nestmates or non-nestmates). Our study demonstrates that the application of JHA reduced brood care behavior and enhanced phototaxis in nurse workers, which may reveal the role of JH in facilitating behavioral transitions in RIFA from intranidal tasks to extranidal activity. This study provides an experimental basis for further elucidating the mechanism underlying the division of labor in social insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qilin Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100193, China; (Q.R.); (L.M.); (X.Z.)
| | - Lin Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100193, China; (Q.R.); (L.M.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xiaolong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100193, China; (Q.R.); (L.M.); (X.Z.)
| | - Libiao Chen
- Guangxi Green City Pest Control Technology Co., Ltd., Nanning 530007, China;
| | - Zhigang Mao
- Guangxi Beitou Urban Environmental Governance Group Co., Ltd., Nanning 530000, China; (Z.M.); (D.L.)
| | - Dongdong Li
- Guangxi Beitou Urban Environmental Governance Group Co., Ltd., Nanning 530000, China; (Z.M.); (D.L.)
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100193, China; (Q.R.); (L.M.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xingfu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100193, China; (Q.R.); (L.M.); (X.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Das Bairagya J, Chakraborty S. Hostility prevents the tragedy of the commons in metapopulation with asymmetric migration: A lesson from queenless ants. Phys Rev E 2023; 108:064401. [PMID: 38243478 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.108.064401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
A colony of the queenless ant species, Pristomyrmex punctatus, can broadly be seen as consisting of small-body sized worker ants and relatively larger body-sized cheater ants. Hence, in the presence of intercolony migration, a set of constituent colonies act as a metapopulation exclusively composed of cooperators and defectors. Such a setup facilitates an evolutionary game-theoretic replication-selection model of population dynamics of the ants in a metapopulation. Using the model, we analytically probe the effects of territoriality induced hostility. Such hostility in the ant metapopulation proves to be crucial in preventing the tragedy of the commons, specifically, the workforce, a social good formed by cooperation. This mechanism applies to any metapopulation-not necessarily the ants-composed of cooperators and defectors where interpopulation migration occurs asymmetrically, i.e., cooperators and defectors migrate at different rates. Furthermore, our model validates that there is evolutionary benefit behind the queenless ants' behavior of showing more hostility towards the immigrants from nearby colonies than those from the far-off ones. In order to calibrate our model's parameters, we have extensively used the data available on the queenless ant species, P. punctatus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joy Das Bairagya
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
| | - Sagar Chakraborty
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bensch HM, Lundin D, Tolf C, Waldenström J, Zöttl M. Environmental effects rather than relatedness determine gut microbiome similarity in a social mammal. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:1753-1760. [PMID: 37584218 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
In social species, group members commonly show substantial similarity in gut microbiome composition. Such similarities have been hypothesized to arise either by shared environmental effects or by host relatedness. However, disentangling these factors is difficult, because group members are often related, and social groups typically share similar environmental conditions. In this study, we conducted a cross-foster experiment under controlled laboratory conditions in group-living Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) and used 16S amplicon sequencing to disentangle the effects of the environment and relatedness on gut microbiome similarity and diversity. Our results show that a shared environment is the main factor explaining gut microbiome similarity, overshadowing any effect of host relatedness. Together with studies in wild animal populations, our results suggest that among conspecifics environmental factors are more powerful drivers of gut microbiome composition similarity than host genetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Bensch
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| | - Daniel Lundin
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Conny Tolf
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Jonas Waldenström
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Markus Zöttl
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Esparza-Mora MA, Mazumdar T, Jiang S, Radek R, Thiem JN, Feng L, Petrašiūnaitė V, Banasiak R, Golian M, Gleske M, Lucas C, Springer A, Buellesbach J, McMahon DP. Defensive behavior is linked to altered surface chemistry following infection in a termite society. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20606. [PMID: 37996442 PMCID: PMC10667546 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42947-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The care-kill response determines whether a sick individual will be treated or eliminated from an insect society, but little is known about the physiological underpinnings of this process. We exploited the stepwise infection dynamics of an entomopathogenic fungus in a termite to explore how care-kill transitions occur, and identify the chemical cues behind these shifts. We found collective responses towards pathogen-injected individuals to vary according to severity and timing of pathogen challenge, with elimination, via cannibalism, occurring sooner in response to a severe active infection. However, injection with inactivated fungal blastospores also resulted in increased albeit delayed cannibalism, even though it did not universally cause host death. This indicates that the decision to eliminate an individual is triggered before pathogen viability or terminal disease status has been established. We then compared the surface chemistry of differently challenged individuals, finding increased amounts of long-chained methyl-branched alkanes with similar branching patterns in individuals injected with both dead and viable fungal blastospores, with the latter showing the largest increase. This coincided with the highest amounts of observed cannibalism as well as signs of severe moribundity. Our study provides new mechanistic insight into the emergent collective behaviors involved in the disease defense of a termite society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Alejandra Esparza-Mora
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tilottama Mazumdar
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shixiong Jiang
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renate Radek
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian N Thiem
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Linshan Feng
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vesta Petrašiūnaitė
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ronald Banasiak
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marek Golian
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstraße 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Melanie Gleske
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstraße 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Christophe Lucas
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte (UMR7261), CNRS-University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Andreas Springer
- Core Facility BioSupraMol, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Buellesbach
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstraße 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Dino P McMahon
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sless T, Rehan S. Phylogeny of the carpenter bees (Apidae: Xylocopinae) highlights repeated evolution of sociality. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230252. [PMID: 37643643 PMCID: PMC10465191 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Many groups of animals have evolved social behaviours in different forms, from intimate familial associations to the complex eusocial colonies of some insects. The subfamily Xylocopinae, including carpenter bees and their relatives, is a diverse clade exhibiting a wide range of social behaviours, from solitary to obligate eusociality with distinct morphological castes, making them ideal focal taxa in studying the evolution of sociality. We used ultraconserved element data to generate a broadly sampled phylogeny of the Xylocopinae, including several newly sequenced species. We then conducted ancestral state reconstructions on the evolutionary history of sociality in this group under multiple coding models. Our results indicate solitary origins for the Xylocopinae with multiple transitions to sociality across the tree and subsequent reversals to solitary life, demonstrating the lability and dynamic nature of social evolution in carpenter bees. Ultimately, this work clarifies the evolutionary history of the Xylocopinae, and expands our understanding of independent origins and gains and losses of social complexity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Sless
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Sandra Rehan
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada M3J 1P3
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
David-Barrett T. Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230559. [PMID: 37593705 PMCID: PMC10427830 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Human groups tend to be much larger than those of non-human primates. This is a puzzle. When ecological factors do not limit primate group size, the problem of coordination creates an upper threshold even when cooperation is guaranteed. This paper offers a model of group coordination towards behavioural synchrony to spell out the mechanics of group size limits, and thus shows why it is odd that humans live in large societies. The findings suggest that many of our species' evolved social behaviours and culturally maintained social technologies emerged as solutions to this problem.
Collapse
|
23
|
Lacy KD, Kronauer DJC. Evolution: How sweat bees gained and lost eusociality. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R770-R773. [PMID: 37490864 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Eusocial insects divide labor between reproductive and non-reproductive individuals. The molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of these castes have remained mysterious. A comparative genomic study of sweat bees points to a familiar factor as a regulator of behavioral specialization: juvenile hormone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kip D Lacy
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rotics S, Groenewoud F, Manser M, Clutton-Brock T. Pregnancy reduces concurrent pup care behaviour in meerkats, generating differences between dominant and subordinate females. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:1431-1441. [PMID: 37277989 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In some mammals, and particularly in cooperative breeding ones, successive bouts of reproduction can overlap so that a female is often pregnant while still nurturing dependent young from her previous litter. Such an overlap requires females to divide their energetic budget between two reproductive activities, and pregnancy costs would consequently be expected to reduce investment in concurrent offspring care. However, explicit evidence for such reductions is scarce, and the potential effects they may have on work division in cooperative breeders have not been explored. Using 25 years of data on reproduction and cooperative behaviour in wild Kalahari meerkats, supplemented with field experiments, we investigated whether pregnancy reduces contributions to cooperative pup care behaviours, including babysitting, provisioning and raised guarding. We also explored whether pregnancy, which is more frequent in dominants than subordinates, could account for the reduced contributions of dominants to the cooperative pup care behaviours. We found that pregnancy, particularly at late stages of gestation, reduces contributions to cooperative pup care; that these reductions are eliminated when the food available to pregnant females is experimentally supplemented; and that pregnancy effects accounted for differences between dominants and subordinates in two of the three cooperative behaviours examined (pup provisioning and raised guarding but not babysitting). By linking pregnancy costs with reductions in concurrent pup care, our findings illuminate a trade-off between investment in successive, overlapping bouts of reproduction. They also suggest that some of the differences in cooperative behaviour between dominant and subordinate females in cooperative breeding mammals can be a direct consequence of differences in their breeding frequency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shay Rotics
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marta Manser
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| | - Tim Clutton-Brock
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, RSA, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Barkdull M, Moreau CS. Worker Reproduction and Caste Polymorphism Impact Genome Evolution and Social Genes Across the Ants. Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:evad095. [PMID: 37243539 PMCID: PMC10287540 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
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 and pathways underlying these novel, sociality-associated phenotypes. Reproductive division of labor should increase the magnitude of genetic drift and reduce the efficacy of selection by reducing effective population size. Caste polymorphism has been associated with relaxed selection and may facilitate directional selection on caste-specific genes. Here, we use comparative analyses of 22 ant genomes to test how reproductive division of labor and worker polymorphism influence positive selection and selection intensity across the genome. Our results demonstrate that worker reproductive capacity is associated with a reduction in the degree of relaxed selection but is not associated with any significant change to positive selection. We find decreases in positive selection in species with polymorphic workers, but no increase in the degree of relaxed selection. Finally, we explore evolutionary patterns in specific candidate genes associated with our focal traits in eusocial insects. Two oocyte patterning genes previously implicated in worker sterility evolve under intensified selection in species with reproductive workers. Behavioral caste genes generally experience relaxed selection associated with worker polymorphism, whereas vestigial and spalt, both associated with soldier development in Pheidole ants, experience intensified selection in worker polymorphic species. These findings expand our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying elaborations of sociality. The impacts of reproductive division of labor and caste polymorphisms on specific genes illuminate those genes' roles in generating complex eusocial phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Barkdull
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University
| | - Corrie S Moreau
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wilson DS, Madhavan G, Gelfand MJ, Hayes SC, Atkins PWB, Colwell RR. Multilevel cultural evolution: From new theory to practical applications. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2218222120. [PMID: 37036975 PMCID: PMC10120078 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218222120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary science has led to many practical applications of genetic evolution but few practical uses of cultural evolution. This is because the entire study of evolution was gene centric for most of the 20th century, relegating the study and application of human cultural change to other disciplines. The formal study of human cultural evolution began in the 1970s and has matured to the point of deriving practical applications. We provide an overview of these developments and examples for the topic areas of complex systems science and engineering, economics and business, mental health and well-being, and global change efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Sloan Wilson
- ProSocial World, Austin, TX78738
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY13902
| | - Guru Madhavan
- National Academy of Engineering, Washington, DC20001
| | | | - Steven C. Hayes
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV89557
| | - Paul W. B. Atkins
- ProSocial World, Austin, TX78738
- Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, CanberraACT 0200, Australia
| | - Rita R. Colwell
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD21205
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhang H, Liu Q, Chen K, Ni X, Cheng Z, Qiao G, Huang X. Mother knows best: reproductive regulation of caste ratio in a social hemipteran. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:582-586. [PMID: 36073660 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a novel strategy for regulating caste ratio via maternal reproduction in a parthenogenetic social aphid, Pseudoregma bambucicola. Most mothers in the colony produce only soldiers or normal nymphs, whereas a small proportion of mothers can produce both castes. Changes in the expression of key genes, including those related to reproduction, fertility, and chemical communication, may be responsible for the differentiation in maternal reproduction and caste development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Kexue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xueqi Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhentao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Gexia Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Martelossi J, Forni G, Iannello M, Savojardo C, Martelli PL, Casadio R, Mantovani B, Luchetti A, Rota-Stabelli O. Wood feeding and social living: Draft genome of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus (Blattodea; Termitoidae). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 32:118-131. [PMID: 36366787 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Termites (Insecta, Blattodea, Termitoidae) are a widespread and diverse group of eusocial insects known for their ability to digest wood matter. Herein, we report the draft genome of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus, an economically important species and among the most studied taxa with respect to eusocial organization and mating system. The final assembly (~813 Mb) covered up to 88% of the estimated genome size and, in agreement with the Asexual Queen Succession Mating System, it was found completely homozygous. We predicted 16,349 highly supported gene models and 42% of repetitive DNA content. Transposable elements of R. lucifugus show similar evolutionary dynamics compared to that of other termites, with two main peaks of activity localized at 25% and 8% of Kimura divergence driven by DNA, LINE and SINE elements. Gene family turnover analyses identified multiple instances of gene duplication associated with R. lucifugus diversification, with significant lineage-specific gene family expansions related to development, perception and nutrient metabolism pathways. Finally, we analysed P450 and odourant receptor gene repertoires in detail, highlighting the large diversity and dynamical evolutionary history of these proteins in the R. lucifugus genome. This newly assembled genome will provide a valuable resource for further understanding the molecular basis of termites biology as well as for pest control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Martelossi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giobbe Forni
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Mariangela Iannello
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Castrense Savojardo
- Biocomputing Group, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Martelli
- Biocomputing Group, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Casadio
- Biocomputing Group, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Mantovani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Luchetti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Omar Rota-Stabelli
- Center Agriculture Food Environment C3A, University of Trento/Fondazione Edmund Mach, Trento, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Joshi CH, Wiens JJ. Does haplodiploidy help drive the evolution of insect eusociality? Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1118748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the evolution of eusociality in insects has been a long-standing and unsolved challenge in evolutionary biology. For decades, it has been suggested that haplodiploidy plays an important role in the origin of eusociality. However, some researchers have also suggested that eusociality is unrelated to haplodiploidy. Surprisingly, there have been no large-scale phylogenetic tests of this hypothesis (to our knowledge). Here, we test whether haplodiploidy might help explain the origins of eusociality across 874 hexapod families, using three different phylogenetic comparative methods. Two of the methods used support the idea that the evolution of eusociality is significantly associated with haplodiploidy, providing possibly the first phylogenetic support for this decades-old hypothesis across insects. However, some patterns were clearly discordant with this hypothesis, and one phylogenetic test was non-significant. Support for this hypothesis came largely from the repeated origins of eusociality within the haplodiploid hymenopterans (and within thrips). Experimental manipulations of the data show that the non-significant results are primarily explained by the origins of eusociality without haplodiploidy in some groups (i.e., aphids, termites). Overall, our results offer mixed phylogenetic support for the long-standing hypothesis that haplodiploidy helps drive the evolution of eusociality.
Collapse
|
30
|
Berendzen KM, Sharma R, Mandujano MA, Wei Y, Rogers FD, Simmons TC, Seelke AMH, Bond JM, Larios R, Goodwin NL, Sherman M, Parthasarthy S, Espineda I, Knoedler JR, Beery A, Bales KL, Shah NM, Manoli DS. Oxytocin receptor is not required for social attachment in prairie voles. Neuron 2023; 111:787-796.e4. [PMID: 36708707 PMCID: PMC10150797 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Prairie voles are among a small group of mammals that display long-term social attachment between mating partners. Many pharmacological studies show that signaling via the oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) is critical for the display of social monogamy in these animals. We used CRISPR mutagenesis to generate three different Oxtr-null mutant prairie vole lines. Oxtr mutants displayed social attachment such that males and females showed a behavioral preference for their mating partners over a stranger of the opposite sex, even when assayed using different experimental setups. Mothers lacking Oxtr delivered viable pups, and parents displayed care for their young and raised them to the weanling stage. Together, our studies unexpectedly reveal that social attachment, parturition, and parental behavior can occur in the absence of Oxtr signaling in prairie voles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Berendzen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ruchira Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Yichao Wei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Forrest D Rogers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Trenton C Simmons
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Adele M H Seelke
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jessica M Bond
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rose Larios
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
| | - Nastacia L Goodwin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael Sherman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Srinivas Parthasarthy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Isidero Espineda
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joseph R Knoedler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Annaliese Beery
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Karen L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nirao M Shah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Devanand S Manoli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Jacobs PJ, Oosthuizen MK. Laterality in the Damaraland Mole-Rat: Insights from a Eusocial Mammal. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:627. [PMID: 36830415 PMCID: PMC9951763 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lateralization is the functional control of certain behaviors in the brain being processed by either the left or right hemisphere. Behavioral asymmetries can occur at an individual and population level, although population-level lateralization is less common amongst solitary species, whereas social species can benefit more from aligning and coordinating their activities. We assessed laterality (individual and population) through turning biases in the eusocial Damaraland mole rat, Fukomys damarensis. We considered factors such as breeding status (queen or subordinate), environment (wild-caught or captive), sex (male or female), colony and body mass. All individuals together demonstrated significant left-turning biases, which was also significant at the population level. Wild-caught animals were more strongly lateralized, had a wider spread over a laterality index and lacked the population-level left-turning bias as compared to captive mole rats. Subordinate animals were more lateralized than queens, demonstrating social status differences in turning biases for social mole rats. This emphasizes the importance of animal handling and context when measuring and interpreting behavioral asymmetries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Jacobs
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Maria K. Oosthuizen
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Guzman J, Won M, Poehlein A, Sombolestani AS, Mayorga-Ch D, Laureys D, Clippeleer JD, Kämpfer P, Daniel R, Vilcinskas A, Vandamme P, Kwon SW. Aristophania vespae gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from wasps, is related to Bombella and Oecophyllibacter, isolated from bees and ants. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73. [PMID: 36749681 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetic acid bacteria (family Acetobacteraceae) are found in the gut of most insects. Two clades are currently recognized: Commensalibacter-Entomobacter and Bombella-Oecophyllibacter. The latter group is only found in hymenopteran insects and the described species have been isolated from bees and ants. In this study, two new strains DDB2-T1T (=KACC 21507T=LMG 31759T) and DM15PD (=CCM 9165=DSM 112731=KACC 22353=LMG 32454) were isolated from wasps collected in the Republic of Korea and Germany, respectively. Molecular and phenotypic analysis revealed that the strains are closely related, with 16S rRNA gene sequences showing 100 % identity and genomic average nucleotide identity (ANI) values ≥99 %. The closest related species based on type strain 16S rRNA gene sequences are Swingsia samuiensis, Acetobacter peroxydans, Bombella favorum and Bombella intestini (94.8-94.7% identity), whereas the closest related species based on type strain genome analysis are Saccharibacter floricola and Bombella intestini (ANI values of 68.8 and 68.2 %, respectively). The reconstruction of a phylogenomic tree based on 107 core proteins revealed that the branch leading to DDB2-T1T and DM15PD is localized between Oecophyllibacter and Saccharibacter-Bombella. Further genomic distance metrics such as ANI, percentage of conserved proteins and alignment fraction values were consistent with these strains belonging to a new genus. The key phenotypic characteristics were one MALDI-TOF-MS peak (m/z=4601.9±2.0) and the ability to produce acid from d-arabinose. Based on this polyphasic approach, including phylogenetics, phylogenomics, genome distance calculations, ecology and phenotypic characteristics, we propose to name the novel strains Aristophania vespae gen. nov., sp. nov., with the type strain DDB2-T1T (=KACC 21507T=LMG 31759T).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Guzman
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Miyoung Won
- Agricultural Microbiology Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Anja Poehlein
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Atena Sadat Sombolestani
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniela Mayorga-Ch
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - David Laureys
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jessika De Clippeleer
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Kämpfer
- Institute for Applied Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter Vandamme
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Soon-Wo Kwon
- Agricultural Microbiology Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Xue ZP, Chindelevitch L, Guichard F. Supply-driven evolution: Mutation bias and trait-fitness distributions can drive macro-evolutionary dynamics. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1048752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Many well-documented macro-evolutionary phenomena still challenge current evolutionary theory. Examples include long-term evolutionary trends, major transitions in evolution, conservation of certain biological features such as hox genes, and the episodic creation of new taxa. Here, we present a framework that may explain these phenomena. We do so by introducing a probabilistic relationship between trait value and reproductive fitness. This integration allows mutation bias to become a robust driver of long-term evolutionary trends against environmental bias, in a way that is consistent with all current evolutionary theories. In cases where mutation bias is strong, such as when detrimental mutations are more common than beneficial mutations, a regime called “supply-driven” evolution can arise. This regime can explain the irreversible persistence of higher structural hierarchies, which happens in the major transitions in evolution. We further generalize this result in the long-term dynamics of phenotype spaces. We show how mutations that open new phenotype spaces can become frozen in time. At the same time, new possibilities may be observed as a burst in the creation of new taxa.
Collapse
|
34
|
Feitosa RM, Camacho GP, Silva TSR, Ulysséa MA, Ladino N, Oliveira AM, Albuquerque EZ, Schmidt FA, Ribas CR, Nogueira A, Baccaro FB, Queiroz ACM, Dáttilo W, Silva RR, Santos JC, Rabello AM, Morini MSDC, Quinet YP, Del-Claro K, Harada AY, Carvalho KS, Sobrinho TG, Moraes AB, Vargas AB, Torezan-Silingardi HM, Souza JLP, Marques T, Izzo T, Lange D, Santos IA, Nahas L, Paolucci L, Soares SA, Costa-Milanez CB, Diehl-Fleig E, Campos RBF, Solar R, Frizzo T, Darocha W. Ants of Brazil: an overview based on 50 years of diversity studies. SYST BIODIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2089268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo M. Feitosa
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Biologia de Formigas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Gabriela P. Camacho
- Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery, Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany
- Laboratório de Hymenoptera, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago S. R. Silva
- The Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mônica A. Ulysséa
- Laboratório de Hymenoptera, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia Ladino
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Biologia de Formigas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Aline M. Oliveira
- The Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Emília Z. Albuquerque
- AntLab, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
- Rabeling Lab, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Fernando A. Schmidt
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Formigas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil
| | - Carla R. Ribas
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Formigas, Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Anselmo Nogueira
- Laboratório de Interações Planta-Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabrício B. Baccaro
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Antônio C. M. Queiroz
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Formigas, Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología AC, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Rogério R. Silva
- Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Jean C. Santos
- Laboratório de Ecologia & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Ananza M. Rabello
- Instituto de Estudos do Xingu, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, São Félix do Xingu, Pará, Brazil
| | - Maria Santina De C. Morini
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia do Alto Tietê, Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yves P. Quinet
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Y. Harada
- Coordenação em Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Karine S. Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ecologia, Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Tathiana G. Sobrinho
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Ecologia de Insetos, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, São Mateus, Espírito Santos, Brazil
| | - Aline B. Moraes
- Prefeitura Municipal de Novo Hamburgo, Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - André B. Vargas
- Centro Universitário de Volta Redonda, UniFOA, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jorge Luiz P. Souza
- Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica, INMA, Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Tatianne Marques
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Citogenética, Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais – IFNMG, Salinas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago Izzo
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Comunidades, Departamento de Botânica e Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Denise Lange
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Santa Helena, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Iracenir A. Santos
- Centro de Formação Interdisciplinar, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Larissa Nahas
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lucas Paolucci
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Stela A. Soares
- Secretaria Estadual de Educação de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cinthia B. Costa-Milanez
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Renata B. F. Campos
- Laboratório de Ecologia, Ambiente e Território, PPG Gestão Integrada do Território, Universidade Vale do Rio Doce, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Solar
- Centro de Síntese Ecológica e Conservação, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tiago Frizzo
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Wesley Darocha
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia (CPDC), Centro de Pesquisa do Cacau (CEPEC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Simberloff D. In Memoriam. Am Nat 2022; 200:627-633. [DOI: 10.1086/721257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
36
|
Berger J, Legendre F, Zelosko KM, Harrison MC, Grandcolas P, Bornberg-Bauer E, Fouks B. Eusocial Transition in Blattodea: Transposable Elements and Shifts of Gene Expression. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1948. [PMID: 36360186 PMCID: PMC9689775 DOI: 10.3390/genes13111948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Unravelling the molecular basis underlying major evolutionary transitions can shed light on how complex phenotypes arise. The evolution of eusociality, a major evolutionary transition, has been demonstrated to be accompanied by enhanced gene regulation. Numerous pieces of evidence suggest the major impact of transposon insertion on gene regulation and its role in adaptive evolution. Transposons have been shown to be play a role in gene duplication involved in the eusocial transition in termites. However, evidence of the molecular basis underlying the eusocial transition in Blattodea remains scarce. Could transposons have facilitated the eusocial transition in termites through shifts of gene expression? (2) Using available cockroach and termite genomes and transcriptomes, we investigated if transposons insert more frequently in genes with differential expression in queens and workers and if those genes could be linked to specific functions essential for eusocial transition. (3) The insertion rate of transposons differs among differentially expressed genes and displays opposite trends between termites and cockroaches. The functions of termite transposon-rich queen- and worker-biased genes are related to reproduction and ageing and behaviour and gene expression, respectively. (4) Our study provides further evidence on the role of transposons in the evolution of eusociality, potentially through shifts in gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Berger
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, CP50, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Legendre
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, CP50, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Kevin-Markus Zelosko
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Mark C. Harrison
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Philippe Grandcolas
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, CP50, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bertrand Fouks
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Rajagopal S, Brockmann A, George EA. Environment-dependent benefits of interindividual variation in honey bee recruitment. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
|
38
|
Ona G, Berrada A, Bouso JC. Communalistic use of psychoactive plants as a bridge between traditional healing practices and Western medicine: A new path for the Global Mental Health movement. Transcult Psychiatry 2022; 59:638-651. [PMID: 34665080 DOI: 10.1177/13634615211038416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Global Mental Health (GMH) movement aims to provide urgently needed treatment to those with mental illness, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Due to the complexity of providing mental health services to people from various cultures, there is much debate among GMH advocates regarding the best way to proceed. While biomedical interventions offer some degree of help, complementary approaches should focus on the social/community aspects. Many cultures conduct traditional rituals involving the communal use of psychoactive plants. We propose that these practices should be respected, protected, and promoted as valuable tools with regard to mental health care at the community level. The traditional use of psychoactive plants promotes community engagement and participation, and they are relatively affordable. Furthermore, the worldviews and meaning-making systems of local population are respected. The medical systems surrounding the use of psychoactive plants can be explained in biomedical terms, and many recently published clinical trials have demonstrated their therapeutic potential. Psychoactive plants and associated rituals offer potential benefits as complementary aspects of mental health services. They should be considered as such by international practitioners and advocates of the GMH movement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Genís Ona
- ICEERS - International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Anthropology, Philosophy and Social Work, Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC), 16777Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ali Berrada
- Unidad de Medicina Interna, 16548Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Carlos Bouso
- ICEERS - International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Anthropology, Philosophy and Social Work, Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC), 16777Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
How do soldier crabs behave when seeing vibrating robots? Biosystems 2022; 222:104776. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2022.104776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
40
|
Wójcik Ł, Chęć M, Skowronek P, Grabowski M, Persona K, Strachecka A. Do the different life history strategies of ants and honeybees determine fat body morphology? ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2022; 69:101186. [PMID: 35696737 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2022.101186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The separation of two sister groups such as ants and bees in the Cretaceous involved the development of distinctive characteristics to occupy separate ecological niches. From the point of view of biology and ecology, it is important to see how different life history strategies affect the physiology of these insects. The fat body is the most metabolically important tissue in the organism of each insect. Therefore, we conducted a comparative analysis of the morphological image of the subcuticular fat body in different localisation/segments in Formica (Seviformica) cinerea and Apis mellifera mellifera foragers, because of the similarity of their functions in colonies. We observed that the fat bodies of ants and bees were composed of the same cell types: trophocytes and oenocytes. However, in each of the segments, the fat body cells in ants were bigger and there were fewer of them in comparison with bees. The dorsal part of the fat body of ants had a bilayer structure, where the outer layer was formed by binucleated oenocytes. Binucleated oenocytes were also found in the inner layer near the heart and tracheole. In bees, the fat body was unilayered and the trophocytes and oenocytes were present side by side. The similarities and, in particular, the differences in the structure of the fat body are the adaptation of these sister groups to life in a diverse environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Wójcik
- Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Chęć
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Patrycja Skowronek
- Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marcin Grabowski
- Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Kamil Persona
- Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aneta Strachecka
- Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Braga I, Wardil L. When stochasticity leads to cooperation. Phys Rev E 2022; 106:014112. [PMID: 35974527 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.106.014112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of cooperation has gained more attention after Smith introduced game theory in the study of evolutionary biology. Subsequent works have extensively explained this phenomenon, consistently showing the importance of spatial structure for the evolution of cooperation. Here we analyze the effect of stochasticity on the evolution of cooperation in group-structured populations. We find a simple formula for the fixation probability of cooperators and show that cooperation can be favored by selection if a condition similar to Hamilton's rule is satisfied, which is also valid for strong selection and high migration. In fact, cooperation can be favored even in the absence of population viscosity and in the limit of an infinite number of finite-size groups. We discuss the importance of stochastic fluctuations in helping cooperation. We argue that this may be a general principle because fluctuations favoring the cooperators are often much more impactful than those favoring the defectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Braga
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lucas Wardil
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Marriott C, Bae P, Chebib J. Deterministic Response Threshold Models of Reproductive Division of Labor Are More Robust Than Probabilistic Models in Artificial Ants. ARTIFICIAL LIFE 2022; 28:264-286. [PMID: 35727996 DOI: 10.1162/artl_a_00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We implement an agent-based simulation of the response threshold model of reproductive division of labor. Ants in our simulation must perform two tasks in their environment: forage and reproduce. The colony is capable of allocating ant resources to these roles using different division of labor strategies via genetic architectures and plasticity mechanisms. We find that the deterministic allocation strategy of the response threshold model is more robust than the probabilistic allocation strategy. The deterministic allocation strategy is also capable of evolving complex solutions to colony problems like niche construction and recovery from the loss of the breeding caste. In addition, plasticity mechanisms had both positive and negative influence on the emergence of reproductive division of labor. The combination of plasticity mechanisms has an additive and sometimes emergent impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Marriott
- University of Washington, School of Engineering and Technology.
| | - Peter Bae
- University of Washington, School of Engineering and Technology
| | - Jobran Chebib
- University of Edinburgh, Institute of Evolutionary Biology
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
A Reinforcement Account of Altruism. PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40732-022-00517-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
44
|
Shell WA, Rehan SM. Social divergence: molecular pathways underlying castes and longevity in a facultatively eusocial small carpenter bee. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212663. [PMID: 35317677 PMCID: PMC8941392 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Unravelling the evolutionary origins of eusocial life is a longstanding endeavour in the field of evolutionary-developmental biology. Descended from solitary ancestors, eusocial insects such as honeybees have evolved ontogenetic division of labour in which short-lived workers perform age-associated tasks, while a long-lived queen produces brood. It is hypothesized that (i) eusocial caste systems evolved through the co-option of deeply conserved genes and (ii) longevity may be tied to oxidative damage mitigation capacity. To date, however, these hypotheses have been examined primarily among only obligately eusocial corbiculate bees. We present brain transcriptomic data from a Japanese small carpenter bee, Ceratina japonica (Apidae: Xylocopinae), which demonstrates both solitary and eusocial nesting in sympatry and lives 2 or more years in the wild. Our dataset captures gene expression patterns underlying first- and second-year solitary females, queens and workers, providing an unprecedented opportunity to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying caste-antecedent phenotypes in a long-lived and facultatively eusocial bee. We find that C. japonica's queens and workers are underpinned by divergent gene regulatory pathways, involving many differentially expressed genes well-conserved among other primitively eusocial bee lineages. We also find support for oxidative damage reduction as a proximate mechanism of longevity in C. japonica.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wyatt A. Shell
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Sandra M. Rehan
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Costa CP, Okamoto N, Orr M, Yamanaka N, Woodard SH. Convergent Loss of Prothoracicotropic Hormone, A Canonical Regulator of Development, in Social Bee Evolution. Front Physiol 2022; 13:831928. [PMID: 35242055 PMCID: PMC8887954 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.831928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of insect sociality has repeatedly involved changes in developmental events and their timing. Here, we propose the hypothesis that loss of a canonical regulator of moulting and metamorphosis, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), and its receptor, Torso, is associated with the evolution of sociality in bees. Specifically, we posit that the increasing importance of social influences on early developmental timing in social bees has led to their decreased reliance on PTTH, which connects developmental timing with abiotic cues in solitary insects. At present, the evidence to support this hypothesis includes the absence of genes encoding PTTH and Torso from all fully-sequenced social bee genomes and its presence in all available genomes of solitary bees. Based on the bee phylogeny, the most parsimonious reconstruction of evolutionary events is that this hormone and its receptor have been lost multiple times, across independently social bee lineages. These gene losses shed light on possible molecular and cellular mechanisms that are associated with the evolution of social behavior in bees. We outline the available evidence for our hypothesis, and then contextualize it in light of what is known about developmental cues in social and solitary bees, and the multiple precedences of major developmental changes in social insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudinéia P Costa
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Naoki Okamoto
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Michael Orr
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Naoki Yamanaka
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - S Hollis Woodard
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Mattila HR, Shimano S, Otis GW, Nguyen LTP, Maul ER, Billen J. Linking the Morphology of Sternal Glands to Rubbing Behavior by Vespa soror (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Workers During Recruitment for Group Predation. ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 115:202-216. [PMID: 35295920 PMCID: PMC8921610 DOI: 10.1093/aesa/saab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The activities of social insect colonies are supported by exocrine glands and the tremendous functional diversity of the compounds that they secrete. Many social wasps in the subfamilies Vespinae and Polistinae have two sternal glands-the van der Vecht and Richards' glands-that vary in their features and function across the species in which they are found. Field observations suggest that giant hornets use secretions from the van der Vecht gland to chemically mark targeted nests when workers initiate group attacks on social insect prey. However, descriptions of giant hornets' sternal glands and details about their recruitment behavior are lacking. We describe the morphology of the sternal glands of the giant hornet Vespa soror du Buysson and consider their potential to contribute to a marking pheromone. We also assess the gastral rubbing behavior of workers as they attacked Apis cerana F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies. V. soror workers have well-developed van der Vecht and Richards' glands on their terminal gastral sternites, with morphologies that robustly support the synthesis, storage, and dissemination of their secretory products. Observations confirm that the van der Vecht gland is exposed during gastral rubbing, but that the Richards' gland and glands associated with the sting apparatus may also contribute to a marking pheromone. Workers briefly but repeatedly rubbed their gasters around hive entrances and on overhead vegetation. Colonies were heavily marked over consecutive attacks. Our findings provide insight into the use of exocrine secretions by giant hornets as they recruit nestmates to prey colonies for group attacks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather R Mattila
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
| | - Satoshi Shimano
- Science Research Center, Hosei University, Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gard W Otis
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Lien T P Nguyen
- Insect Ecology Department, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Erica R Maul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
| | - Johan Billen
- Zoological Institute, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ostwald MM, Haney BR, Fewell JH. Ecological Drivers of Non-kin Cooperation in the Hymenoptera. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.768392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the prominence of kin selection as a framework for understanding the evolution of sociality, many animal groups are comprised of unrelated individuals. These non-kin systems provide valuable models that can illuminate drivers of social evolution beyond indirect fitness benefits. Within the Hymenoptera, whose highly related eusocial groups have long been cornerstones of kin selection theory, groups may form even when indirect fitness benefits for helpers are low or absent. These non-kin groups are widespread and abundant, yet have received relatively little attention. We review the diversity and organization of non-kin sociality across the Hymenoptera, particularly among the communal bees and polygynous ants and wasps. Further, we discuss common drivers of sociality across these groups, with a particular focus on ecological factors. Ecological contexts that favor non-kin sociality include those dominated by resource scarcity or competition, climatic stressors, predation and parasitism, and/or physiological constraints associated with reproduction and resource exploitation. Finally, we situate Hymenopteran non-kin sociality within a broader biological context by extending insights from these systems across diverse taxa, especially the social vertebrates. Non-kin social groups thus provide unique demonstrations of the importance of ecological factors in mediating the evolutionary transition from solitary to group living.
Collapse
|
48
|
Chang H, Lee DH. Positive Eusocial Impacts on Ants by Taurine Derivatives. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1370:425-432. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93337-1_40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
|
49
|
Rajendran H, Haluts A, Gov NS, Feinerman O. Ants resort to majority concession to reach democratic consensus in the presence of a persistent minority. Curr Biol 2021; 32:645-653.e8. [PMID: 34995489 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Social groups often need to overcome differences in individual interests and knowledge to reach consensus decisions. Here, we combine experiments and modeling to study conflict resolution in emigrating ant colonies during binary nest selection. We find that cohesive emigration, without fragmentation, is achieved only by intermediate-sized colonies. We then impose a conflict regarding the desired emigration target between colony subgroups. This is achieved using an automated selective gate system that manipulates the information accessible to each ant. Under this conflict, we find that individuals concede their potential benefit to promote social consensus. In particular, colonies resolve the conflict imposed by a persistent minority through "majority concession," wherein a majority of ants that hold first-hand knowledge regarding the superior quality nest choose to reside in the inferior one. This outcome is unlikely in social groups of selfish individuals and emphasizes the importance of group cohesion in eusocial societies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harikrishnan Rajendran
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Amir Haluts
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Nir S Gov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ofer Feinerman
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Herringe CA, Middleton EJ, Boyd KC, Latty T, White TE. Benefits and costs of social foraging in velvet worms. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caragh A. Herringe
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - Eliza J. Middleton
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - Kelsey C. Boyd
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences University of Wollongong Wollongong Australia
| | - Tanya Latty
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - Thomas E. White
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| |
Collapse
|