Genetic influence on caste determination underlying the asexual queen succession system in a termite |
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Authors: | Yuuka Yamamoto Kenji Matsuura |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan |
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Abstract: | The question of how reproductives and sterile workers differentiate within eusocial groups has long been a core issue in the
study of social insects. Recent studies have shown that not only environmental factors but also genetic factors affect caste
differentiation. In the termite Reticulitermes speratus, queens produce their replacements (neotenics) asexually but use normal sexual reproduction to produce other colony members.
Here, we demonstrate a genetic influence on caste determination underlying the asexual queen succession system in this termite
species. Thelytoky in termites is accomplished by automixis with terminal fusion, yielding almost completely homozygous offspring;
thus, parthenogenetically and sexually produced offspring profoundly differ in heterozygosity. An analysis of the relationship
between the reproductive dominance of female neotenics obtained from experimentally orphaned colonies and their genotypes
at five microsatellite loci showed that homozygosity at two loci influenced the developmental priority and/or reproductive
quality of neotenics. These results suggest the existence of a multi-locus system affecting the queen fecundity and explain
why parthenogens have genetic priority to become neotenics in this termite species. |
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Keywords: | |
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