Transcriptomic changes during caste development through social interactions in the termite Zootermopsis nevadensis.

ABSTRACT: One of the most striking examples of phenotypic plasticity is the different phenotypes (i.e., castes) within a same nest of social insects. Castes usually derive from a single genotype initially by receiving social cues among individuals during development. Specific gene expression changes may be involved in caste differentiation, and thus, the regulatory mechanism of these changes should be clarified in order to understand social maintenance and evolution. The damp-wood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis is one of the most important model termite species, due to not only the availability of genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic information but also evidence that soldier- and worker-destined individuals can be identified in natural conditions. Given that the nutritional intakes via s

SUBMITTER: Yaguchi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6434549 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature