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Changes in reproductive roles are associated with changes in gene expression in fire ant queens
Yannick Wurm1, John Wang, Laurent Keller
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. yannick.wurm@unil.ch
Molecular Ecology
|February 19, 2010
Summary
When a fire ant queen dies, virgin queens rapidly change molecularly, initiating reproductive development and competition. This study reveals key genes involved in their rapid transformation and survival.
Area of Science:
- Social insect biology
- Reproductive strategies
- Molecular endocrinology
Background:
- Social hierarchies in insects, like fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), are disrupted by the death of dominant individuals.
- In the monogyne form of S. invicta, virgin queens transition to reproductive roles upon queen loss, facing intense competition and worker-mediated culling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the rapid physiological and developmental changes in virgin fire ant queens following the loss of their mother queen.
- To identify genes associated with the onset of reproductive development and competitive behavior in orphaned virgin queens.
Main Methods:
- Comparative transcriptomics using microarrays to analyze gene expression profiles.
- Collection of virgin queens at three time points: before orphaning, 6 hours post-orphaning, and 24 hours post-orphaning.
- Analysis of approximately 10,000 genes to identify differentially expressed candidates.
Main Results:
- 297 genes were found to be consistently differentially expressed after orphaning.
- Identified genes are implicated in signaling pathways related to reproductive development.
- Detected genes involved in significant physiological shifts in the young queens.
Conclusions:
- Orphaning triggers rapid molecular reprogramming in virgin fire ant queens, initiating reproductive development.
- The identified genes provide insights into the molecular basis of social hierarchy shifts and reproductive competition in insects.
- This study highlights the complex genetic regulation governing reproductive transitions in response to social cues.
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