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The genetic basis of a social polymorphism in halictid bees

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah D. Kocher

    (Princeton University
    Harvard University)

  • Ricardo Mallarino

    (Harvard University
    Harvard University
    Princeton University)

  • Benjamin E. R. Rubin

    (Princeton University)

  • Douglas W. Yu

    (Kunming Institute for Zoology
    Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of East Anglia)

  • Hopi E. Hoekstra

    (Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Naomi E. Pierce

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

The emergence of eusociality represents a major evolutionary transition from solitary to group reproduction. The most commonly studied eusocial species, honey bees and ants, represent the behavioral extremes of social evolution but lack close relatives that are non-social. Unlike these species, the halictid bee Lasioglossum albipes produces both solitary and eusocial nests and this intraspecific variation has a genetic basis. Here, we identify genetic variants associated with this polymorphism, including one located in the intron of syntaxin 1a (syx1a), a gene that mediates synaptic vesicle release. We show that this variant can alter gene expression in a pattern consistent with differences between social and solitary bees. Surprisingly, syx1a and several other genes associated with sociality in L. albipes have also been implicated in autism spectrum disorder in humans. Thus, genes underlying behavioral variation in L. albipes may also shape social behaviors across a wide range of taxa, including humans.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah D. Kocher & Ricardo Mallarino & Benjamin E. R. Rubin & Douglas W. Yu & Hopi E. Hoekstra & Naomi E. Pierce, 2018. "The genetic basis of a social polymorphism in halictid bees," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06824-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06824-8
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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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