Studies of the diversity and molecular evolution of defensive mechanism in termites

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To clarify the diversity and evolutional mechanisms of termite defensive system, I searched for the genes involved with the development of horn-like frontal projection (nasus) and the synthesis of cembrene-derived polycyclic diterpenes by using Nasutitermes takasagoensis which is the most derived termite species. The results indicated that a homeobox gene Distal-less is related to the development of the nasus. Moreover, all genes involved with the precursor of diterpene were determined using next generation sequencer. Especially, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase genes were duplicated repeatedly. These results suggest that the synthesis of diterpene is to contribute to the acquisition of a novel defensive system in a termite lineage, coupled with the acquisition of adaptive defensive behaviors.