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Comparative Development of the Ant Chemosensory System
Anna R Ryba1, Sean K McKenzie2, Leonora Olivos-Cisneros1
1Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|June 20, 2020
Summary
Antennal lobe development in ants involves a two-step process where initial structure forms independently of sensory input and is later refined by olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). This may explain the evolution of complex ant olfactory systems.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- The insect antennal lobe (AL) is crucial for olfaction, with precise connections between olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and projection neurons (PNs).
- Ants possess larger olfactory receptor repertoires and more complex ALs than Drosophila, with Orco mutations causing significant AL reduction, unlike in Drosophila.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate antennal lobe (AL) development in the clonal raider ant, Ooceraea biroi.
- To understand the role of olfactory receptors (ORs) and Orco in ant AL development and its potential implications for chemosensory system evolution.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of AL development in Ooceraea biroi.
- Analysis of OR and Orco expression timing and protein trafficking.
- Antennal ablation experiments during pupation.
- Comparison of Orco mutant phenotypes with experimental AL defects.
Main Results:
- ORs and Orco are expressed before glomerulus formation in ants, with Orco protein reaching developing axon terminals.
- Antennal ablation at pupation mimics the Orco mutant phenotype, revealing latent AL structure.
- The AL appears to be pre-patterned and subsequently refined by OSN input.
Conclusions:
- Ant AL development is a two-step process: initial pre-patterning followed by OSN-dependent refinement.
- This developmental strategy may confer flexibility, facilitating the evolution and expansion of ant chemosensory systems.
- Olfactory receptors and co-receptors play a role in shaping the developing ant antennal lobe.
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