Brain physiology during photoperiod-related caste determination in the primitively eusocial wasp Polistes jokahamae.

ABSTRACT: Adult females of the primitively eusocial wasp Polistes jokahamae can change caste in response to photoperiod length. Short-day photoperiod females store more lipids but have less developed ovaries for hibernation (becoming gynes), whereas long-day photoperiod females have fewer lipid stores but more developed ovaries under queenless conditions (becoming egg-laying workers). To explore the physiological mechanisms underlying photoperiod-related caste determination, analyses of gene expression levels in the brains of short- or long-day females were performed. Results suggest that short-day females may exhibit higher expression of genes involved in tryptophan metabolism, insulin signaling, and nutrition, including the digestion of sugars and lipids, and production of royal jelly proteins. Or

SUBMITTER: Sasaki K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11621535 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature