Expression analyses of chemosensory genes provide insights into evolution of gustatory receptor genes in the bumble bee Bombus impatiens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The chemoreceptor gene families, which include gustatory, ionotropic, and odorant receptor gene families, are highly conserved across the insects yet also contain many recently duplicated, species-specific genes in particular clades. Within the Bombini (bumble bee) clade, a set of recently duplicated genes in the gustatory receptor (Gr) gene family was identified, the functions of which are unknown. Recently duplicated genes are hypothesized to first evolve to serve non-essential functions, then subsequently evolve additional functions. We tested support for this hypothesis in the common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens, by identifying recently duplicated Gr genes in this lineage and examining their tissue and caste expression patterns.

Results

We annotated tw

SUBMITTER: Fisher K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12211280 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature