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Sex determination in the hymenoptera
George E Heimpel1, Jetske G de Boer
1Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA. heimp001@umn.edu
Annual Review of Entomology
|September 7, 2007
Summary
Hymenoptera sex determination primarily uses arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, where females are diploid and males haploid. Recent research clarifies genetic mechanisms, but complementary sex determination (CSD) is not universal across this insect order.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The Hymenoptera order, including ants, bees, and wasps, predominantly utilizes arrhenotokous parthenogenesis for sex determination.
- In this system, fertilized eggs develop into diploid females, while unfertilized eggs develop into haploid males, representing an ancestral mode.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding the genetic and cytoplasmic factors governing arrhenotokous parthenogenesis in Hymenoptera.
- To explore the prevalence and mechanisms of complementary sex determination (CSD) and alternative sex determination strategies within the order.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on Hymenoptera sex determination mechanisms.
- Analysis of genetic and developmental pathways involved in arrhenotoky and CSD.
- Comparative analysis of sex determination systems across different hymenopteran superfamilies.
Main Results:
- Arrhenotokous parthenogenesis is the dominant sex determination mode in Hymenoptera.
- Complementary Sex Determination (CSD) is well-understood, with the responsible gene cloned in honey bees, but it is present in only a fraction of hymenopteran superfamilies.
- Alternative sex determination strategies, including genomic imprinting in Nasonia vitripennis, thelytoky, and paternal genome elimination, exist in other hymenopteran taxa.
Conclusions:
- While arrhenotoky is widespread, CSD is not a universal mechanism for sex determination in Hymenoptera.
- Diverse genetic and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to sex determination across the Hymenoptera, highlighting significant evolutionary variation.
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