Current status of a model system: the gene Gp-9 and its association with social organization in fire ants.

Details

Ressource 1Download: BIB_A13A86F4A62D.P001.pdf (520.56 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_A13A86F4A62D
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Current status of a model system: the gene Gp-9 and its association with social organization in fire ants.
Journal
Plos One
Author(s)
Gotzek D., Ross K.G.
ISSN
1932-6203 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1932-6203
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2009
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
4
Number
11
Pages
e7713
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
The Gp-9 gene in fire ants represents an important model system for studying the evolution of social organization in insects as well as a rich source of information relevant to other major evolutionary topics. An important feature of this system is that polymorphism in social organization is completely associated with allelic variation at Gp-9, such that single-queen colonies (monogyne form) include only inhabitants bearing B-like alleles while multiple-queen colonies (polygyne form) additionally include inhabitants bearing b-like alleles. A recent study of this system by Leal and Ishida (2008) made two major claims, the validity and significance of which we examine here. After reviewing existing literature, analyzing the methods and results of Leal and Ishida (2008), and generating new data from one of their study sites, we conclude that their claim that polygyny can occur in Solenopsis invicta in the U.S.A. in the absence of expression of the b-like allele Gp-9(b) is unfounded. Moreover, we argue that available information on insect OBPs (the family of proteins to which GP-9 belongs), on the evolutionary/population genetics of Gp-9, and on pheromonal/behavioral control of fire ant colony queen number fails to support their view that GP-9 plays no role in the chemosensory-mediated communication that underpins regulation of social organization. Our analyses lead us to conclude that there are no new reasons to question the existing consensus view of the Gp-9 system outlined in Gotzek and Ross (2007).
Keywords
Alleles, Animals, Ants/physiology, Behavior, Animal, Carrier Proteins/genetics, Carrier Proteins/physiology, Electrophoresis, Genes, Insect, Genetic Variation, Genetics, Population, Hemolymph/metabolism, Insect Proteins/genetics, Insect Proteins/physiology, Male, Mississippi, Phenotype, Ploidies, Social Behavior
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
22/03/2011 11:26
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:07
Usage data