Crop Production and Pest Control Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
Small Grains Viral Disease Laboratory
Corn and Sorghum Fungal Disease Laboratory
Host Plant Resistance to Insects Laboratory
Wheat/Hessian fly Interactions Laboratory
Small Grains Fungal Disease Laboratory
Soybean Quality Improvement Laboratory
 

Title: Behavioral Genomics of Honey Bee foraging and nest defense

Authors
item Hunt, Greg - PURDUE UNIV.
item Amdam, Gro - ARIZONA STATE
item Schlipalius, David - PURDUE UNIV.
item Emore, Christine - PURDUE UNIV.
item Sardesai, Nagesh - PURDUE UNIV.
item Williams, Christie
item Rueppell, Olav - UNIV. OF NORTH CAROLINA
item Guzman-Novoa, Ernesto - UNIV. OF GUELPH, CANADA
item Arechavaleta-Velasco, Miguel - CENT. INVESTIGACION, MEXI
item Chandra, Sathees - ROOSEVELT UNIV.

Submitted to: Naturwissenschaften
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 10, 2006
Publication Date: January 20, 2007
Citation: Hunt, G., Amdam, G.V., Schlipalius, D., Emore, C., Sardesai, N., Williams, C.E., Rueppell, O., Guzman-Novoa, E., Arechavaleta-Velasco, M., Chandra, S. 2007. Behavioral Genomics of Honey Bee foraging and nest defense. Naturwissenschaften. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10/1007/s00114-006-0183-1.

Interpretive Summary: Although the genetic basis of honey bee foraging and defensive behavior is well documented, little is known about genes that may influence these behaviors. Through bioinformatics analysis of the honey bee genome sequence, candidate genes were identified which are associated with regions of the genome that affect these behaviors. In addition, mRNA levels were quantified for several genes, narrowing the field of true candidates. Understanding the basis of foraging behavior may be useful in developing bees that are better pollinators. Understanding the basis of defensive behavior may be useful in combating the Africanized bees that are now spreading throughout the US.

Technical Abstract: We superimposed confidence intervals (CIs) with genomic sequence for seven confirmed honey bee quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing foraging division of labor (pollen or nectar collecting) and nest defense (stinging and guarding). The high recombination rate of the bee allowed us to narrow the search for genes influencing behavior to regions of 18-52 predicted genes for each QTL. We used a priori knowledge of each behavioral syndrome, comparative bioinformatics and expression data to direct analyses of gene candidates. An over-representation of genes involved in ovarian development and insulin-like signaling components were found within pollen foraging QTL regions, suggesting that an ancestral reproductive gene network was co-opted to produce foraging specialization. In addition, we hypothesized that conserved genes involved in central nervous system (CNS) function and sensory tuning would be involved in defensive behavior. The major locus influencing defensive behavior included orthologs of genes involved in CNS activity and neurogenesis. Candidates at the other two defensive-behavior QTLs includ modulators of sensory signaling (the Am5HT7 serotonin receptor, arrestin and the GABA B1 receptor). This study is the first step in linking natural variation in honey bee behavior to the identification of underlying genes. Due to high recombination rates, CIs encompassing large genetic distances are equivalent to fine-scale mapping in the honey bee.

   
 
 
Last Modified: 05/24/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House