Molecular basis for the reproductive division of labour in a lower termite.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Polyphenism, the expression of different phenotypes with the same genetic background, is well known for social insects. The substantial physiological and morphological differences among the castes generally are the result of differential gene expression. In lower termites, workers are developmentally flexible to become neotenic replacement reproductives via a single moult after the death of the founding reproductives. Thus, both castes (neotenics and workers) are expected to differ mainly in the expression of genes linked to reproductive division of labour, which constitutes the fundamental basis of insect societies.

Results

Representational difference analysis of cDNAs was used to study differential gene expression between neotenics and workers in the drywood ter

SUBMITTER: Weil T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1988835 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature