Molecular Genetic Characterization of a Gene Controlling Complex Social Behavior

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A major gene regulating social behavior has been discovered in the fire ant Solenipsis invicta. In this species there are two distinct forms; colonies with a single queen and colonies with many queens. Field studies of the distribution of the Gp-9 gene show that genetic differences among queens are correlated with whether or not they are found in single or multiple queen colonies. Laboratory studies have further shown that worker tolerance for a queen is also dependent on the genotype of both the queen and the worker. The Gp-9 variation is also correlated with accumulation of fat reserves in queens. Ross and Krieger will be determining the amino acid sequence for the protein coded by the Gp-9 gene and will be using this information to determine its nucleotide sequence. Once this sequence is know it may be possible to study the cascade of events that lead to differences in sociality that appear to be based on this major gene.