A supergene-controlling social structure in Alpine ants also affects the dispersal ability and fecundity of each sex.

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Ressource 1Download: DeGasperin_ProcB_2024.pdf (1919.23 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_2E96F2B1AB34
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
A supergene-controlling social structure in Alpine ants also affects the dispersal ability and fecundity of each sex.
Journal
Proceedings. Biological sciences
Author(s)
De Gasperin O., Blacher P., Sarton-Lohéac S., Grasso G., Corliss M.K., Nicole S., Chérasse S., Aron S., Chapuisat M.
ISSN
1471-2954 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0962-8452
Publication state
Published
Issued date
06/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
291
Number
2024
Pages
20240494
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Social organization, dispersal and fecundity coevolve, but whether they are genetically linked remains little known. Supergenes are prime candidates for coupling adaptive traits and mediating sex-specific trade-offs. Here, we test whether a supergene that controls social structure in Formica selysi also influences dispersal-related traits and fecundity within each sex. In this ant species, single-queen colonies contain only the ancestral supergene haplotype M and produce MM queens and M males, while multi-queen colonies contain the derived haplotype P and produce MP queens, PP queens and P males. By combining multiple experiments, we show that the M haplotype induces phenotypes with higher dispersal potential and higher fecundity in both sexes. Specifically, MM queens, MP queens and M males are more aerodynamic and more fecund than PP queens and P males, respectively. Differences between MP and PP queens from the same colonies reveal a direct genetic effect of the supergene on dispersal-related traits and fecundity. The derived haplotype P, associated with multi-queen colonies, produces queens and males with reduced dispersal abilities and lower fecundity. More broadly, similarities between the Formica and Solenopsis systems reveal that supergenes play a major role in linking behavioural, morphological and physiological traits associated with intraspecific social polymorphisms.
Keywords
Animals, Ants/physiology, Ants/genetics, Fertility, Male, Female, Social Behavior, Animal Distribution, Haplotypes, Formica selysi, dispersal, dominance, polymorphism, sociality, supergenes
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Create date
12/06/2024 14:14
Last modification date
15/06/2024 7:03
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