A Novel Supergene Controls Queen Size and Colony Social Organization in the Ant Myrmica ruginodis.

ABSTRACT: Large independently evolved supergenes control colony social organization and queen reproductive strategies in several ant lineages. Their independent origins, as well as the similarities of the associated phenotypes, make ant supergenes a promising system for studying the parallel evolution of genome organization and adaptability. However, the genetic basis of differences in social organization and queen phenotypes remains unknown in many ant species, limiting the potential power of this system for comparative studies. We investigated the genetic basis of colony social organization in the queen-size dimorphic ant Myrmica ruginodis by sampling 95 queens from 31 colonies in southern Finland. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a novel 9 Mb supergene associated with both queen size and social o

SUBMITTER: Sigeman H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12572780 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature