title: Social immunity in honeybees (Apis mellifera): transcriptome analysis of varroa-hygienic behaviour.
abstract: Honeybees have evolved a social immunity consisting of the cooperation of individuals to decrease disease in the hive. We identified a set of genes involved in this social immunity by analysing the brain transcriptome of highly varroa-hygienic bees, who efficiently detect and remove brood infected with the Varroa destructor mite. The function of these candidate genes does not seem to support a higher olfactory sensitivity in hygienic bees, as previously hypothesized. However, comparing their genomic profile with those from other behaviours suggests a link with brood care and the highly varroa-hygienic Africanized honeybees. These results represent a first step toward the identification of genes involved in social immunity and thus provide first insights into the evolution of social immunity.
authors: INRA, UMR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Site Agroparc, Avignon cedex 9, France.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Le Conte
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Alaux
authors: J-F
authors: JF
authors: Martin
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Harbo
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Harris
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Dantec
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Séverac
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Cros-Arteil
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Navajas
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D012919:Social Behavior; D057077:Varroidae