Articles tagged with Eusociality
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A parasitic ant queen tricks ant workers into killing their queen mother by spraying a foul-smelling chemical, causing her daughters to turn against her. The parasitic queen then usurps the throne and is served by the workers.
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that rock ants follow a methodical search strategy, combining systematized meandering with random movement to efficiently explore new areas. This unique behavior may provide insights into the evolution of exploration strategies in other species.
A study published in Genome Biology and Evolution found a core genetic toolkit for reproductive division of labor in rudimentary insect societies. The authors identified common genes associated with fundamental social divisions in bees and wasps, suggesting a universal molecular 'theme' for cooperation across species.
A new paper in The Quarterly Review of Biology reviews studies on workload distribution and division of labor to better understand individual differences in cooperation. The authors argue that integrating collective action and offspring care literatures could lead to a deeper understanding of these factors.
Ants have evolved a unique division of labor for over 100 million years, with fossil discoveries providing the first evidence of cooperative behavior in the early Cretaceous period. The study describes two new species of extinct ants, revealing intricate details about their anatomy and social structure.
Researchers discovered that naked mole-rats rapidly decrease uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue to conserve energy in hypoxia. This mechanism may hold secrets for humans to survive and thrive in low-oxygen environments, particularly in relation to diseases like stroke and chronic pulmonary disorders.
A single gene, insulin-like peptide 2 (ilp2), regulates eusociality in ants by influencing reproductive cycles and division of labor. High expression of ilp2 in reproductive ants suggests a key role in the development of complex societies.
Researchers found trade-offs between fighting claw mass and egg number in weakly eusocial snapping shrimp queens. In contrast, strongly eusocial species showed smaller or absent trade-offs. Colony size also played a role in shaping these trade-offs.
Researchers compared termites' genetic features to those of ants and bees, discovering similar molecular mechanisms for eusocial lifestyles. They found evidence of convergent evolution in chemoreceptor families and genes involved in pheromone recognition.
Fossils of ancient termite-loving rove beetles, named Cretotrichopsenius burmiticus, reveal that ancient termite societies were quickly invaded by beetles about 99 million years ago. The discovery pushes back the fossil record of termitophiles by 80 million years.
Researchers found that eusociality in marine snapping shrimps emerges when hatchlings remain close to home, suggesting the importance of kin selection in driving social evolution. The study provides new insights into how complex social systems evolved in marine life.
Research from North Carolina State University found that eusocial insects with larger colonies exhibit weaker immune responses. The study suggests that hygiene behaviors play a key role in keeping these insects healthy, rather than just immune systems.
Researchers found that closely related ant species use distinct chemical signals to differentiate their queens from workers. The new findings suggest evolutionary links between solitary and social insect communication and raise questions about the practical uses of these chemicals.
Researchers led by Thomas Joiner theorize that humans exhibit eusocial characteristics, leading to self-sacrificial behaviors. These traits are adaptive in nature but become maladaptive in modern human contexts like suicide.
Research suggests that suicidal behavior may be a misguided expression of self-sacrificial tendencies, which are otherwise beneficial in eusocial species. The study identifies parallels between self-sacrifice in non-human species and human suicide, highlighting the importance of addressing underlying misconceptions about one's own value.
Researcher David Queller and colleagues tested an alternative mathematical model to inclusive fitness theory, finding it equivalent in predictions. The model's assertions were disputed, with Queller arguing that varying relatedness undermines the Harvard authors' claims about eusociality.
The first termite genome has been published, revealing new insights into the molecular underpinning of complex societies in termites. The study found expanded gene families involved in spermatogenesis and a different repertoire of chemoreceptor genes compared to other insect genomes.
Researchers sequenced primitively eusocial wasps' transcriptomes, finding workers have an active genetic profile while queens have a restricted one. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of sociality and the origin of alternative phenotypes.
Researchers analyzed genes from nine bee species, revealing unique genetic changes associated with eusociality in highly and primitively eusocial bees. These findings suggest that the evolution of eusociality is an independent process, shaped by distinct genetic signatures.
Researchers challenge Inclusive Fitness Theory, citing flawed assumptions and misrepresentation of data. The debate highlights the importance of rigorous scholarship in scientific inquiry.
Researchers develop new theory explaining the evolution of eusocial behavior, finding that standard natural selection is sufficient to account for cooperation in species like ants and bees. The study suggests that eusociality arises independently multiple times due to the stability of colonies once established.
Edward O. Wilson's article in BioScience presents a new perspective on the evolution of eusociality in insects, suggesting that natural selection acts on nascent colonies rather than individual traits. This challenges the traditional explanation based on kin selection, highlighting the complexity of social organization in these species.
A genetic analysis of vespid wasps reveals that eusociality evolved separately in two groups, contradicting a long-held model. The study adds weight to earlier findings and sheds light on the complexity of evolutionary processes.