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When hymenopteran males reinvented diploidy
Serge Aron1, Ludivine de Menten, Dirk R Van Bockstaele
1Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, Code Postal 160/12, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt 50, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium. saron@ulb.ac.be
Current Biology : CB
|May 12, 2005
Summary
Male Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps) evolved higher DNA content in muscles to match females, unlike other haplodiploids. This adaptation likely arose early in hymenopteran evolution, possibly linked to flight and dispersal.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- A link exists between cellular DNA content and metabolic activity in most organisms.
- Haplodiploid sex determination in Hymenoptera results in males having half the DNA of females.
- This genomic difference may create selective pressures for male adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nuclear DNA content in male Hymenoptera muscles.
- To determine if males restore female-level DNA content and if this is unique to Hymenoptera.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of nuclear DNA content across various hymenopteran lineages.
- Comparison with other haplodiploid insect groups (Thysanoptera, Sternorrhyncha).
Main Results:
- Male hymenopterans, except for the basal Xyelidae family, restore a nuclear DNA content similar to females in their muscles.
- This DNA content restoration is not observed in other haplodiploid insects like thrips and whiteflies.
- The adaptation appears to be ancient within Hymenoptera.
Conclusions:
- The restoration of female-level DNA content in male hymenopteran muscles is a widespread and ancient adaptation.
- This evolutionary trait likely facilitated enhanced male capabilities, such as strong flight and dispersal abilities.