Ant Species Differences Determined by Epistasis between Brood and Worker Genomes

摘要: Epistasis arising from physiological interactions between gene products often contributes to species differences, particularly those involved in reproductive isolation. In social organisms, phenotypes are influenced by the genotypes of multiple interacting individuals. theory, can give rise an additional type epistasis genomes partners that contribute differences. Using a full-factorial cross-fostering design with three closely related Temnothorax ants, I found adult worker size was determined interaction developing brood and care-giving workers, i.e. intergenomic epistasis. Such provides strong signature coevolution partners. These results demonstrate just as physiologically genes coevolve, diverge, so do socially genes. Coevolution conflict partners, especially relatives such parents offspring, has long been recognized having widespread evolutionary effects. This coevolutionary process may result coevolved socially-interacting complexes