Biology
Kin conflict in insect societies: A new epigenetic perspective
Document Type
Article
Abstract
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. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Title
Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Publication Date
7-1-2012
Volume
27
Issue
7
First Page
367
Last Page
373
ISSN
0169-5347
DOI
10.1016/j.tree.2012.02.005
Keywords
DNA Methylation, Genomic Imprinting, hymenopterans
Repository Citation
Drewell, Robert A.; Lo, Nathan; Oxley, Peter R.; and Oldroyd, Benjamin P., "Kin conflict in insect societies: A new epigenetic perspective" (2012). Biology. 137.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_biology/137
