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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Preparation of Single-cohort Colonies and Hormone Treatment of Worker Honeybees to Analyze Physiology Associated with Role and/or Endocrine System
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Methylation and gene expression differences between reproductive and sterile bumblebee workers.

Hollie Marshall1, Zoë N Lonsdale1, Eamonn B Mallon1

  • 1Department of Genetics and Genome Biology The University of Leicester Leicester United Kingdom.

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|October 23, 2019
PubMed
Summary

DNA methylation in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) is linked to caste differences but doesn't directly determine caste. This study reveals insights into bumblebee epigenetics and phenotypic plasticity.

Keywords:
Bombusbumblebeeexpressionhymenopteramethylation

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Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Social Insect Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Phenotypic plasticity is key in social insects, with DNA methylation a focus for caste determination.
  • Limited knowledge exists on DNA methylation's role in non-Apis bee species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate DNA methylation patterns in bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) castes.
  • Examine the relationship between methylation, gene expression, and alternative splicing in caste differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Whole genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA-seq on Bombus terrestris head tissue.
  • Analysis of reproductive vs. sterile castes.

Main Results:

  • Genome-wide methylation in B. terrestris is conserved among holometabolous insects and shows no caste difference.
  • Differentially methylated genes were identified between castes, enriched in reproductive processes.
  • No correlation found between differential methylation and differential gene expression or exon usage.
  • Significant intercolony variation in methylation was observed.

Conclusions:

  • DNA methylation is associated with caste differences in bumblebees but may not be the primary determinant.
  • Methylation might play an alternative role in caste development or function.
  • This study offers the first view of a bumblebee caste-specific methylome and its gene expression interactions.