Project description:The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) and the Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi) are the most destructive termite pests in the world. Both species have spread to various regions worldwide with overlapping distributions in a few areas in which pre- and post-zygotic barriers against hybridization between the two species have been lifted. Although initial colony growth rates of hybrid colonies are similar to those of the parental species, colony growth appears to slow down in the hybrids after several years. Observations suggest that workers in hybrid colonies are slower to molt than those of the parental species, suggesting a disruption in this process. To understand the comprehensive gene expression profiles during the molting cycle of workers, differential gene expression profiles based on RNA-seq analysis were recorded for four mating combinations (2 conspecific workers and 2 heterospecific workers) at three different molting periods (pre-, post- and inter-molt). Many differentially expressed genes were identified between heterospecific and conspecific matings at each molting stage as well as within termite species among molting periods. We successfully identified molting-related genes by characterizing gene expression profiles of the parental species during the molting cycle conducting a time course analysis of transcriptome data. We then compared expression levels of these molting-related genes in the hybrids to identify genes that were over or under expressed compared to the parental species. Genes related to the molting cycle, muscle contraction, response to stress, and ecdysone metabolism were found to be under-expressed in hybrids relative to their parents. These differences will help elucidate the stability and fitness of hybrids between these two Coptotermes species. Moreover, identification of molting related genes in subterranean termites highlights the molecular pathways involved in the molting process in termites.
Project description:Unraveling the molting associated genes in the subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, Coptotermes gestroi, and their hybrids using RNA-seq analysis
| PRJNA1193603 | ENA
Project description:16S rRNA metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiota of CSI (Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors) bait treated lower and higher subterranean termites
Project description:Linear and geometric morphometrics approaches were conducted to analyze the head capsule (HC) shape of collected soldier caste specimens of Coptotermes from various locations in Indonesia. The soldiers' morphology was observed and measured. The results of the principal component analysis of the group of all species showed two important groups of variables, i.e., the body size and setae characteristics of the pronotum and head. The multicollinearity of the morphometric variables showed the importance of body measurements as well as important alternative characteristics such as the pronotum setae (PrS) and HC setae. Four trends of HC shape were observed across the species. Interestingly, three extreme shapes were depicted by geometric morphometrics of the C. gestroi HC. The phylogenetic tree inferred from 12S and 16S mitochondrial gene fragments showed high confidence for C. gestroi populations. The lateral expansion of the posterior part of the HC across the species was in accordance with the increasing of the number of hairlike setae on the pronotum and HC. These differences among species might be associated with mandible-force-related defensive labor and sensitivity to environmental stressors.
