title: The genomic impact of 100 million years of social evolution in seven ant species.
abstract: Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) represent one of the most successful eusocial taxa in terms of both their geographic distribution and species number. The publication of seven ant genomes within the past year was a quantum leap for socio- and ant genomics. The diversity of social organization in ants makes them excellent model organisms to study the evolution of social systems. Comparing the ant genomes with those of the honeybee, a lineage that evolved eusociality independently from ants, and solitary insects suggests that there are significant differences in key aspects of genome organization between social and solitary insects, as well as among ant species. Altogether, these seven ant genomes open exciting new research avenues and opportunities for understanding the genetic basis and regulation of social species, and adaptive complex systems in general.
authors: School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Gadau
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Helmkampf
authors: Sanne
authors: S
authors: Nygaard
authors: Julien
authors: J
authors: Roux
authors: Daniel F
authors: DF
authors: Simola
authors: Chris R
authors: CR
authors: Smith
authors: Garret
authors: G
authors: Suen
authors: Yannick
authors: Y
authors: Wurm
authors: Christopher D
authors: CD
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D049750:Genome, Insect; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D012919:Social Behavior; D013997:Time Factors