Dopamine regulates termite soldier differentiation through trophallactic behaviours
Hajime Yaguchi1, Takaya Inoue1, Ken Sasaki2
1Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama , Toyama, Japan.
Royal Society Open Science
|March 22, 2016
Summary
Dopamine (DA) regulates termite soldier caste differentiation by influencing trophallaxis and presoldier development. This study highlights DA
Area of Science:
- Insect behavior
- Neuroendocrinology
- Social insect biology
Background:
- Caste polyphenism in social insects is driven by social interactions like trophallaxis.
- Intrinsic factors regulating these behaviors and caste differentiation remain largely unknown.
- Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter known to modulate animal behavior and physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopamine (DA) in termite soldier differentiation in Zootermopsis nevadensis.
- To identify intrinsic factors involved in trophallaxis and caste differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Measured brain dopamine levels in larvae at different developmental stages.
- Assessed dopamine synthesis gene expression in larvae.
- Injected a dopamine receptor antagonist into larvae to observe effects on presoldier differentiation and trophallaxis.
Main Results:
- Brain DA levels were significantly higher in larvae destined to become soldiers.
- DA synthesis gene expression was elevated in early-stage presoldiers.
- DA receptor antagonist injection inhibited presoldier differentiation and altered trophallaxis frequency.
Conclusions:
- Brain dopamine signaling regulates trophallaxis and presoldier differentiation in Zootermopsis nevadensis.
- Dopamine plays a crucial role in caste determination in social insects.
- Further research on DA's role in trophallaxis and allogrooming in other social insects is warranted.
