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Molecular Basis Underlying Caste Differentiation in Termites

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Biology of Termites: a Modern Synthesis

Abstract

Termite caste differentiation is a multifaceted process that is under the control of a range of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and it has challenged researchers for decades. Advances in molecular, genomic, and integrative or “systems” biology in the past decade have greatly facilitated efforts to begin to understand this process. Using molecular tools, it is now possible to investigate caste differentiation through hypothesis-driven mechanistic studies at the sub- and super-organismal levels. This chapter provides examples of approaches to study the molecular bases of caste differentiation; it describes molecular biology approaches for gene and protein discovery and characterization, relevant genes and proteins that have been identified, and a contextual foundation on which genome sequencing can now be considered. Once whole genome sequences of termites are available it will be possible to conduct highly detailed comparative, integrative, functional and translational genomics studies that define: (1) the complex milieu of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that interact to drive caste differentiation (including genetic and environmental factors), (2) how genes used in solitary life have been co-opted for social functions, and (3) social evolution in termites and their ancestors.

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  1. Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan

    Toru Miura

  2. Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainsville, FL, 32611-0620, USA

    Michael E. Scharf

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    David Edward Bignell

  2. Behavioural & Evolutionary Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, Bruxelles, 1050, Belgium

    Yves Roisin

  3. School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia

    Nathan Lo

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Miura, T., Scharf, M.E. (2010). Molecular Basis Underlying Caste Differentiation in Termites. In: Bignell, D., Roisin, Y., Lo, N. (eds) Biology of Termites: a Modern Synthesis. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3977-4_9

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