作者: Christopher D Smith , Aleksey Zimin , Carson Holt , Ehab Abouheif , Richard Benton
关键词:
摘要: Ants are some of the most abundant and familiar animals on Earth, they play vital roles in terrestrial ecosystems. Although all ants eusocial, display a variety complex fascinating behaviors, few genomic resources exist for them. Here, we report draft genome sequence particularly widespread well-studied species, invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), which was accomplished using combination 454 (Roche) Illumina sequencing community-based funding rather than federal grant support. Manual annotation >1,000 genes from different gene families functional classes reveals unique features ant's biology, as well similarities to Apis mellifera Nasonia vitripennis. Distinctive include remarkable expansions gustatory (116 genes) odorant receptors (367 genes), an abundance cytochrome P450 (>110), lineage-specific yellow/major royal jelly proteins desaturases, complete CpG DNA methylation RNAi toolkits. The contains fewer immune Drosophila Tribolium, may reflect prominent role played by behavioral chemical suppression pathogens. Analysis ratio observed expected nucleotides reproductive development apoptosis pathways suggests higher levels overall. provided this will offer tools researchers seeking illuminate biology emerging model organism.