Connecting social polymorphism to single nucleotide polymorphism: population genomics of the small carpenter bee, Ceratina australensis. (12th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harpur, Brock A; Rehan, Sandra M
• Is Part Of: Biological journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 132:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 945
• Page End: 954
• Publication Date: 2021-02-12
• Subjects: facultative sociality -- population genomics -- social evolution; Biology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4066

Abstract

Abstract: How do social insects expand and adapt to new ranges and how does sociality per se contribute to their success (or failure)? These questions can become tractable with the use of population genomics. We explored the population genomics of the socially polymorphic small carpenter bee, Ceratina australensis, across its range in eastern and southern Australia to search for evidence of selection and identify loci associated with social nesting. We sampled and sequenced fully the genomes of 54 socially and solitarily nesting C. australensis within Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, yielding 2 061 234 single nucleotide polymorphisms across the genome. We found strong evidence of population-specific selection and evidence of genetic variants associated with social nesting behaviour. Both the sets of associated loci and differentially expressed 'social' genes had evidence of positive selection, suggesting that alleles at genes associated with social nesting might provide different fitness benefits.