破译蚂蚁社会“文明”的基因密码

Core Insights - The research reveals the genetic basis of adaptive radiation and social evolution in ants, highlighting the key regulatory genes associated with reproductive division and social characteristics [1][2][4] Group 1: Ant Phylogeny and Genetic Findings - The study reconstructed the "tree of life" for ants by integrating whole-genome data from 163 different ant species, covering 12 of the 16 subfamilies and 97 of the 343 genera, tracing their common ancestor back to approximately 157 million years ago [1][2] - Significant gene family expansions related to olfactory perception were found in the common ancestor of ants, indicating the presence of key molecular mechanisms for social communication [2][3] - The research identified a wide range of haploid chromosome numbers among various ant species, from 1 to 60, and noted a high rate of chromosomal rearrangements during ant evolution, particularly in genera like Camponotus and Formica [2][3] Group 2: Evolution of Social Traits - The evolution of ant social traits is regulated by a highly conserved signaling pathway, including juvenile hormone, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and insulin signaling pathways, which play a crucial role in determining individual identities such as the differentiation between queens and workers [4][5] - The study found that the mechanisms of these signaling pathways vary among different ant species, reflecting their adaptive evolution under natural selection [5][6] - Key factors influencing ant sociality include the size of the colony and the degree of differentiation between queens and workers, which lay the foundation for other social traits like worker size variation and loss of reproductive capability [5][6]