title: A genomic comparison of two termites with different social complexity.
abstract: The termites evolved eusociality and complex societies before the ants, but have been studied much less. The recent publication of the first two termite genomes provides a unique comparative opportunity, particularly because the sequenced termites represent opposite ends of the social complexity spectrum. Zootermopsis nevadensis has simple colonies with totipotent workers that can develop into all castes (dispersing reproductives, nest-inheriting replacement reproductives, and soldiers). In contrast, the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes natalensis belongs to the higher termites and has very large and complex societies with morphologically distinct castes that are life-time sterile. Here we compare key characteristics of genomic architecture, focusing on genes involved in communication, immune defenses, mating biology and symbiosis that were likely important in termite social evolution. We discuss these in relation to what is known about these genes in the ants and outline hypothesis for further testing.
authors: Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I, University of Freiburg Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Korb
authors: Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Poulsen
authors: China National Genebank, BGI-Shenzhen Shenzhen, China.
authors: Haofu
authors: H
authors: Hu
authors: China National Genebank, BGI-Shenzhen Shenzhen, China ; Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Cai
authors: C
authors: Li
authors: Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Jacobus J
authors: JJ
authors: Boomsma
authors: Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark ; China National Genebank, BGI-Shenzhen Shenzhen, China.
authors: Guojie
authors: G
authors: Zhang
authors: School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Liebig
keywords: chemical communication; genomes; immunity; social insects; social organization; symbiosis; termites; transposable elements