Similar Genetic Routes Are Independently Targeted for Mimetic Color Convergence in Bumble Bees.

ABSTRACT: Bumble bees (Bombus) exhibit exceptional diversity in setal body color patterns, largely as a result of convergence onto multiple Mullerian mimicry patterns globally. When multiple species cross the same sets of mimicry complexes, they can acquire the same color polymorphisms, providing replicates of phenotypic evolution. This study examines the genetic basis of parallel color pattern acquisition in three bumble bee taxon pairs in western North America that shift between orange-red and black mid-abdominal segmental coloration in Rocky Mountain and Pacific Coastal mimicry regions: polymorphic Bombus vancouverensis and B. melanopygus, and sister species B. huntii and B. vosnesenskii. Initial gene targets are identified using a genome-wide association study, while cross-developmental transcri

SUBMITTER: Hines HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12527263 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature