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Convergent eusocial evolution is based on a shared reproductive groundplan plus lineage-specific plastic genes

Author

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  • Michael R. Warner

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Lijun Qiu

    (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Michael J. Holmes

    (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
    University of Sydney)

  • Alexander S. Mikheyev

    (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
    Australian National University)

  • Timothy A. Linksvayer

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Eusociality has convergently evolved multiple times, but the genomic basis of caste-based division of labor and degree to which independent origins of eusociality have utilized common genes remain largely unknown. Here we characterize caste-specific transcriptomic profiles across development and adult body segments from pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) and honey bees (Apis mellifera), representing two independent origins of eusociality. We identify a substantial shared core of genes upregulated in the abdomens of queen ants and honey bees that also tends to be upregulated in mated female flies, suggesting that these genes are part of a conserved insect reproductive groundplan. Outside of this shared groundplan, few genes are differentially expressed in common. Instead, the majority of the thousands of caste-associated genes are plastically expressed, rapidly evolving, and relatively evolutionarily young. These results emphasize that the recruitment of both highly conserved and lineage-specific genes underlie the convergent evolution of novel traits such as eusociality.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael R. Warner & Lijun Qiu & Michael J. Holmes & Alexander S. Mikheyev & Timothy A. Linksvayer, 2019. "Convergent eusocial evolution is based on a shared reproductive groundplan plus lineage-specific plastic genes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10546-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10546-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Lopes, Tiago Camarinha, 2022. "Humans, technology and control: An essay based on the metalanguage of economic calculation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 631-642.
    2. Chao Tong & Leticia Avilés & Linda S. Rayor & Alexander S. Mikheyev & Timothy A. Linksvayer, 2022. "Genomic signatures of recent convergent transitions to social life in spiders," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Christopher Douglas Robert Wyatt & Michael Andrew Bentley & Daisy Taylor & Emeline Favreau & Ryan Edward Brock & Benjamin Aaron Taylor & Emily Bell & Ellouise Leadbeater & Seirian Sumner, 2023. "Social complexity, life-history and lineage influence the molecular basis of castes in vespid wasps," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.

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