Transcriptomic profiling of central nervous system regions in three species of honey bee during dance communication behavior.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We conducted a large-scale transcriptomic profiling of selected regions of the central nervous system (CNS) across three species of honey bees, in foragers that were performing dance behavior to communicate to their nestmates the location, direction and profitability of an attractive floral resource. We used microarrays to measure gene expression in bees from Apis mellifera, dorsata and florea, species that share major traits unique to the genus and also show striking differences in biology and dance communication. The goals of this study were to determine the extent of regional specialization in gene expression and to explore the molecular basis of dance communication.

Principal findings

This "snapshot" of the honey bee CNS during dance behavior provides strong e

SUBMITTER: Sen Sarma M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2713418 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature