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]

Core Insights - A joint research project led by Chinese scientists has revealed how ants evolved from solitary species to a diverse group with over 15,000 species, highlighting key genes that drive social division and organizational structure in ant societies [1][2][3] Group 1: Evolutionary Mechanisms - The study indicates that ants have developed various behavioral traits and physiological features over 157 million years, such as foraging path marking and social parasitism, which are interconnected and form a modular dynamic system to adapt to environmental needs [2] - The research emphasizes that social organization changes are crucial for the radiation of ant species and their exceptional adaptability, with key genes undergoing changes under natural selection that reshape social division and complexity [3] Group 2: Genetic Insights - The findings suggest that some genes are 'enhanced' to adapt to new functions while others are 'relaxed' to simplify unnecessary traits, reflecting a shared genetic regulatory basis among different traits [2] - The study concludes that phenotypic traits do not evolve independently but are interconnected and co-evolve through the remodeling of genetic networks, leading to the diversity of ant species and social traits [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant global research study that reveals the genetic basis of adaptive radiation and social evolution in ants, highlighting their complex social structures and evolutionary history [2][12]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study, involving a collaboration of multiple institutions, analyzed the whole genome data of 163 different ant species, reconstructing the phylogenetic tree of the Formicidae family, tracing their common ancestor back to approximately 157 million years ago during the late Jurassic period [2][4]. - Significant gene family expansions related to olfactory perception were found in the genome of the common ancestor of ants, indicating the presence of key molecular mechanisms for social communication [4][8]. - The research identified a high rate of chromosomal rearrangements in ants, particularly in species with rich diversity, showing a significant positive correlation between chromosomal rearrangement rates and species diversity [6][7]. Group 2: Evolutionary Mechanisms - The evolution of ant social traits is regulated by a set of highly conserved signaling pathways, including juvenile hormone, MAPK, and insulin pathways, which play crucial roles in determining individual identities such as the differentiation between queens and workers [8][9]. - Different ant species exhibit variations in the mechanisms of these signaling pathways, reflecting adaptive evolution under natural selection, particularly in social complexity [9][12]. - The study emphasizes that the evolution of ant social structures is influenced by the interaction between various phenotypic traits and life history characteristics, with key factors being colony size and the degree of differentiation between queens and workers [9][12]. Group 3: Implications and Future Research - The research provides insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of social traits in ants, establishing functional links between candidate genes and social characteristics [12][13]. - The findings open avenues for further exploration of intriguing questions regarding ant biology, such as the longevity of queens and the rapid evolution of ant karyotypes [13][16]. - The study highlights the correlation between genomic evolution and the radiation of ant species, suggesting a co-evolution of gene networks and social traits that drive the diversity of ant species and their social behaviors [13][14].

Core Insights - A research team composed of scientists from Zhejiang University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, University of Münster, Nanchang University, and BGI Life Science Research Institute published findings in the journal "Cell" regarding the genetic basis of adaptive radiation and social evolution in ants [1] - The study integrated whole-genome data from 163 different ant species, reconstructing the phylogenetic tree of the Formicidae family, covering 12 of the 16 extant subfamilies and 97 of the 343 genera [1] - The research traced the common ancestor of ants back to approximately 157 million years ago during the Late Jurassic, revealing insights into their organizational structure during the age of dinosaurs [1] Genetic Mechanisms - The study found significant expansion of gene families related to olfactory perception in the genome of the common ancestor of ants, indicating that social communication mechanisms were already present [1] - Different ant species exhibit variations in the signaling pathways that regulate roles such as "who becomes the queen and who becomes the worker," reflecting adaptive evolution under natural selection [1] - The research highlighted the importance of conserved pathways centered around juvenile hormone and insulin signaling in the social evolution of ants, showing significant correlations among various social traits that shape the diversity of ant phenotypes [2]