The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization.
| Authors | |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats. RESULTS: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits. CONCLUSIONS: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation. |
| Year of Publication | 2015
|
| Journal | Genome Biol
|
| Volume | 16
|
| Pages | 76
|
| Date Published | 2015 Apr 24
|
| ISSN | 1474-760X
|
| URL | |
| DOI | 10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3
|
| PubMed ID | 25908251
|
| PubMed Central ID | PMC4414376
|
| Links | |
| Grant list | R01 HG006677 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council / United Kingdom
MR/K001744/1 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
U54 HG003273 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
095831 / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom
G0900740 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
DP1 OD006416 / OD / NIH HHS / United States
BB/G00661X/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council / United Kingdom
|