Evolutionary Genomics of a Supergene Implicated in Social Evolution

项目科学家将对几种火蚁进行全基因组DNA测序和比较基因组分析，以揭示蚁群社会组织变异的遗传决定因素。 火蚁是了解影响复杂社会行为的基因的理想模型，因为这些害虫的生物学是众所周知的，遗传资源是可用的，并且已经记录了对基本社会特征变异的严格遗传控制。 项目研究人员将为140多个南美本土火蚁标本生成完整的基因组序列，并使用统计和比较分析来重建调节社会组织的基因组区域的结构和进化历史。这项研究将对进化生物学家寻求理解复杂社会行为的遗传基础产生广泛的影响。 使用火蚁模型描述一个涉及重大社会创新的基因组区域，将促进对高级社会行为进化的理解，并澄清整合基因复合体的进化起源，这些基因复合体是性染色体起源和自交不亲和等重要生物现象的基础。 所产生的信息对于更好地理解社会生活的分子基础至关重要。 相关的推广和教育活动将向公众通报社会行为的演变，并使中学课堂参与与该项目有关的公民科学活动。

Project scientists will conduct whole-genome DNA sequencing and comparative genomic analyses on several species of fire ants to reveal the genetic determinants of variation in colony social organization. Fire ants are ideal models to learn about genes that influence complex social behavior because the biology of these pests is well known, genetic resources are available, and strict genetic control over variation in fundamental social traits has been documented. Project researchers will generate complete genome sequences for more than 140 specimens of native, South American fire ants and use statistical and comparative analyses to reconstruct the architecture and evolutionary history of the genomic region regulating social organization.This research will have broad implications for evolutionary biologists seeking to understand the genetic bases of complex social behaviors. Description of a genomic region involved in a major social innovation using the fire ant model will advance understanding of the evolution of advanced social behavior as well as clarify the evolutionary origin of integrated gene complexes, which underlie such important biological phenomena as the origin of sex chromosomes and self-incompatibility. The information to be generated is essential for an improved understanding of the molecular basis of social life. Associated outreach and educational activities will inform the public about the evolution of social behavior and involve secondary school classrooms in citizen-science activities related to the project.