The genetic basis of a social polymorphism in halictid bees

Kocher, Sarah D., Mallarino, Ricardo, Rubin, Benjamin E. R., Yu, Douglas W., Hoekstra, Hopi E. and Pierce, Naomi E. (2018) The genetic basis of a social polymorphism in halictid bees. Nature Communications, 9. ISSN 2041-1723

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Abstract

The emergence of eusociality represents a major evolutionary transition from solitary to group reproduction. The most commonly studied eusocial species, honey bees and ants, represent the behavioral extremes of social evolution but lack close relatives that are non-social. Unlike these species, the halictid bee Lasioglossum albipes produces both solitary and eusocial nests and this intraspecific variation has a genetic basis. Here, we identify genetic variants associated with this polymorphism, including one located in the intron of syntaxin 1a (syx1a), a gene that mediates synaptic vesicle release. We show that this variant can alter gene expression in a pattern consistent with differences between social and solitary bees. Surprisingly, syx1a and several other genes associated with sociality in L. albipes have also been implicated in autism spectrum disorder in humans. Thus, genes underlying behavioral variation in L. albipes may also shape social behaviors across a wide range of taxa, including humans.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Related URLs:	http://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-01...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	31 Oct 2018 15:30
Last Modified:	13 May 2023 00:42
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/68722
DOI:	10.1038/s41467-018-06824-8

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