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Yaguchi H, Suzuki S, Kanasaki N, Masuoka Y, Suzuki R, Suzuki RH, Hayashi Y, Shigenobu S, Maekawa K. Evolution and functionalization of vitellogenin genes in the termite Reticulitermes speratus. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2023; 340:68-80. [PMID: 35485990 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Eusociality has been commonly observed in distinct animal lineages. The reproductive division of labor is a particular feature, achieved by the coordination between fertile and sterile castes within the same nest. The sociogenomic approach in social hymenopteran insects indicates that vitellogenin (Vg) has undergone neo-functionalization in sterile castes. Here, to know whether Vgs have distinct roles in nonreproductive castes in termites, we investigated the unique characteristics of Vgs in the rhinotermitid termite Reticulitermes speratus. The four Vgs were identified from R. speratus (RsVg1-4), and RsVg3 sequences were newly identified using the RACE method. Molecular phylogenetic analysis supported the monophyly of the four termite Vgs. Moreover, the termites Vg1-3 and Vg4 were positioned in two different clades. The dN/dS ratios indicated that the branch leading to the common ancestor of termite Vg4 was under weak purifying selection. Expression analyses among castes (reproductives, workers, and soldiers) and females (nymphs, winged alates, and queens) showed that RsVg1-3 was highly expressed in fertile queens. In contrast, RsVg4 was highly expressed in workers and female nonreproductives (nymphs and winged adults). Localization of RsVg4 messenger RNA was confirmed in the fat body of worker heads and abdomens. These results suggest that Vg genes are functionalized after gene duplication during termite eusocial transition and that Vg4 is involved in nonreproductive roles in termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Yaguchi
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, Japan.,Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan.,Department of Bioscience, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Shogo Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, Japan
| | - Naoto Kanasaki
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yudai Masuoka
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, Japan.,Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, NARO (National Agriculture and Food Research Organization), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, Japan
| | - Ryouhei H Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, Japan
| | | | - Shuji Shigenobu
- NIBB Research Core Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Maekawa
- Faculty of Science, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, Japan
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Miyazaki S, Fujiwara K, Kai K, Masuoka Y, Gotoh H, Niimi T, Hayashi Y, Shigenobu S, Maekawa K. Evolutionary transition of doublesex regulation from sex-specific splicing to male-specific transcription in termites. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15992. [PMID: 34362973 PMCID: PMC8346542 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95423-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex determination gene doublesex (dsx) encodes a transcription factor with two domains, oligomerization domain 1 (OD1) and OD2, and is present throughout insects. Sex-specific Dsx splicing isoforms regulate the transcription of target genes and trigger sex differentiation in all Holometabola examined to date. However, in some hemimetabolous insects, dsx is not spliced sexually and its sequence is less conserved. Here, to elucidate evolutionary changes in dsx in domain organisation and regulation in termites, we searched genome and/or transcriptome databases for the dsx OD1 and OD2 in seven termite species and their sister group (Cryptocercus woodroaches). Molecular phylogenetic and synteny analyses identified OD1 sequences of termites and C. punctulatus that clustered with dsx of Holometabola and regarded them as dsx orthologues. The Cryptocercus dsx orthologue containing OD2 was spliced sexually, as previously shown in other insects. However, OD2 was not found in all termite dsx orthologues. These orthologues were encoded by a single exon in three termites for which genome information is available; they were not alternatively spliced but transcribed in a male-specific manner in two examined species. Evolution of dsx regulation from sex-specific splicing to male-specific transcription may have occurred at an early stage of social evolution in termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Miyazaki
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tamagawa University, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan.
| | - Kokuto Fujiwara
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Keima Kai
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Yudai Masuoka
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan.,Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, NARO (National Agriculture and Food Research Organization), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Hiroki Gotoh
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Teruyuki Niimi
- Division of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Hayashi
- Department of Biology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 223-8521, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.,NIBB Research Core Facilities, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Maekawa
- Faculty of Science, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan.
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Saar M, Eyer PA, Kilon-Kallner T, Hefetz A, Scharf I. Within-colony genetic diversity differentially affects foraging, nest maintenance, and aggression in two species of harvester ants. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13868. [PMID: 30217995 PMCID: PMC6138738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32064-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that genetic diversity improves the behavioral performance and consequently the fitness in groups of social animals. We examined the behavioral performance of colonies of two co-occurring, congeneric harvester ant species (Messor arenarius and a non-described Messor sp.) in fitness-related behaviors, pertaining to foraging performance, nest maintenance, and aggression. We linked these behaviors to the colonial genetic diversity, by genotyping workers, using six and five microsatellite markers for M. arenarius and M. sp., respectively. Correlations of genetic diversity with colony performance and aggression level contrasted between the two species. In M. arenarius, genetic diversity was correlated with foraging performance and nest maintenance but not with the overall aggression level, while in M. sp., genetic diversity was correlated with the overall aggression level, but not with foraging performance or nest maintenance. The two species exhibited similar specific aggression levels, with higher aggression shown towards heterospecifics and lower towards non-nestmate conspecifics and nestmates. However, M. sp. workers displayed a tendency to interact for longer with heterospecifics than did M. arenarius. We speculate that the different foraging strategies, group vs. individual foraging, and possibly also the different mating systems, contribute to the differences found in behavior between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Saar
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Pierre-André Eyer
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Tal Kilon-Kallner
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Abraham Hefetz
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inon Scharf
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Katoh K, Iwasaki M, Hosono S, Yoritsune A, Ochiai M, Mizunami M, Nishino H. Group-housed females promote production of asexual ootheca in American cockroaches. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2017; 3:3. [PMID: 28331632 PMCID: PMC5348754 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-017-0063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facultative parthenogenesis, seen in many animal phyla, is a reproductive strategy in which females are able to generate offspring when mating partners are unavailable. In some subsocial and eusocial insects, parthenogenesis is often more prevalent than sexual reproduction. However, little is known about how social cooperation is linked to the promotion of parthenogenesis. The domiciliary cockroach Periplaneta americana is well-suited to addressing this issue as this species belongs to the superfamily Blattoidea, which diverged into eusocial termites and shows facultative parthenogenesis. RESULTS We studied environmental factors that influence asexual production of ootheca using behavioral assays in P. americana. When more than three virgin females immediately after the imaginal molt were kept together in a small sealed container, they tended to produce egg cases (oothecae) via parthenogenesis earlier than did isolated females, resulting in apparent synchronization of ootheca production, even among females housed in different containers. In contrast, virgin females housed with genitalia-ablated males or group-housed females with antennae ablated did not significantly promote ootheca production compared to isolated females. Daily addition of the primary sex pheromone component to the container did not promote ootheca production in isolated females. Another line of study showed that grouped females make parthenogenesis more sustainable than previously known; a founder colony of 15 virgin females was sufficient to produce female progeny for a period of more than three years. CONCLUSIONS Group-housed females promote and stabilize asexual ootheca production compared to isolated females, and that this promotion is triggered by female-specific chemosensory signals (other than sex pheromone) primarily detected by antennae. Promotion of ootheca production between females is likely to be an early stage of social cooperation, reminiscent of the foundation and maintenance of a colony by female pairs in the eusocial termite Reticulitermes speratus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Katoh
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan
| | - Masazumi Iwasaki
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812 Japan
| | - Shouhei Hosono
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan
- Present address: Division of Applied Entomology and Zoology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tamagawa University, Machida, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yoritsune
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812 Japan
| | - Masanori Ochiai
- The Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0819 Japan
| | - Makoto Mizunami
- Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishino
- Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812 Japan
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Jandt JM, Gordon DM. The behavioral ecology of variation in social insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 15:40-44. [PMID: 27436730 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2016.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the ecological relevance of variation within and between colonies has been an important and recurring theme in social insect research. Recent research addresses the genomic and physiological factors and fitness effects associated with behavioral variation, within and among colonies, in regulation of activity, cognitive abilities, and aggression. Behavioral variation among colonies has consequences for survival and reproductive success that are the basis for evolutionary change.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Jandt
- Iowa State University, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, 251 Bessey Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | - D M Gordon
- Stanford University, Department of Biology, Gilbert Biological Sciences Building, rm 410, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Saiki R, Gotoh H, Toga K, Miura T, Maekawa K. High juvenile hormone titre and abdominal activation of JH signalling may induce reproduction of termite neotenics. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 24:432-441. [PMID: 25847681 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Termite castes are a key example of polyphenism, in which reproductive division of labour is clearly seen in colonies. The reproductive castes in termites include primary and neotenic reproductives; primary reproductives found a new colony whereas neotenics succeed them in the reproductive role when the primary reproductives die or become senescent. Neotenics usually differentiate from nymphs or workers by developing functional gonads while retaining juvenile characteristics; however, the developmental mechanism during neotenic differentiation remains poorly understood. Juvenile hormone (JH) mediates a number of aspects of developmental regulation in caste differentiation in termites. In the present study we quantified JH titres in neotenic reproductives of Reticulitermes speratus, and compared these with other developmental stages. In addition, expression changes in JH signalling gene homologues (Methoprene-tolerant [Met], Krüppel-homolog1, Broad-Complex) in the head, thorax and abdomen were investigated during neotenic differentiation. Finally, we examined the function of Met in reproduction of neotenics by RNA interference (RNAi). Our results showed that the JH titres of neotenics were significantly higher than those of nymphs and workers. JH signalling genes were highly expressed in neotenic abdomens, compared with those in workers and nymphs. Met RNAi resulted in the inhibition of vitellogenin gene expression in newly moulted neotenics. These results suggest that the fertility of neotenics might be controlled by a large increase of JH titres and body-part-specific activation of JH signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Saiki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, 3190, Gofuku, Japan
| | - H Gotoh
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0810, Japan
- Laboratory of Sericulture and Entomoresources, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
| | - K Toga
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, 3190, Gofuku, Japan
- Laboratory of Sericulture and Entomoresources, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
| | - T Miura
- Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0810, Japan
| | - K Maekawa
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, 3190, Gofuku, Japan
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