Kin conflict in insect societies: a new epigenetic perspective

The social hymenopterans (ants, wasps and bees) have all the enzymatic and genetic mechanisms necessary for the functional modification of DNA by methylation. Methylation appears to play a central role in shaping the developmental processes that give rise to the different castes. However, could DNA...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in ecology & evolution (Amsterdam) 2012-07, Vol.27 (7), p.367-373
Main Authors: Drewell, Robert A., Lo, Nathan, Oxley, Peter R., Oldroyd, Benjamin P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
DNA Methylation
Female
Formicidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Genomic Imprinting
Hymenoptera
Insecta
Invertebrates
Male
Mammals - genetics
Mammals - growth & development
Social Behavior
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Summary:The social hymenopterans (ants, wasps and bees) have all the enzymatic and genetic mechanisms necessary for the functional modification of DNA by methylation. Methylation appears to play a central role in shaping the developmental processes that give rise to the different castes. However, could DNA methylation have other roles in social insects? Theoretical arguments predict that male and female hymenopterans can be in conflict over the reproductive potential of their female offspring. An exciting prospect for future research is to examine the possibility that queens and males imprint the genomes of their gametes using DNA methylation to manipulate the reproductive potential of their progeny in ways that favour the inclusive fitness of the parent.
ISSN:0169-5347
1872-8383
DOI:10.1016/j.tree.2012.02.005