Morphologically Specialized Termite Castes and Advanced Sociality in the Early Cretaceous

Current Biology : CB
Michael S EngelDavid A Grimaldi

Abstract

A hallmark of animals that are eusocial, or those with advanced sociality, is reproductive specialization into worker and queen castes. In the most derived societies, these divisions are essentially fixed and in some arthropods, include further specialization--a tripartite system with a soldier caste that defends the colony. Eusociality has originated numerous times among insects but is believed to have appeared first in the termites (Isoptera), in the Early Cretaceous. However, all termites known from the Cretaceous have, until now, only been winged reproductives (alates and dealates); the earliest soldiers and definitive workers were known from just the Miocene (ca. 17-20 million years ago [mya]). Here, we report six termite species preserved in Early Cretaceous (ca. 100 mya) amber from Myanmar, one described as Krishnatermes yoddha gen. et sp. nov., comprising the worker/pseudergate, winged reproductive, and soldier, and a second species, Gigantotermes rex gen. et sp. nov., based on one of the largest soldier termites yet known. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Krishnatermes are in the basal "Meiatermes-grade" of Cretaceous termites. Workers/pseudergates of another four species are briefly described, but not named. One o...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1964·Journal of Theoretical Biology·W D Hamilton
Jul 1, 1964·Journal of Theoretical Biology·W D Hamilton
Nov 15, 2000·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·D Grimaldi, D Agosti
Apr 8, 2006·Science·Corrie S MoreauNaomi E Pierce
Nov 3, 2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Seán G BradyPhilip S Ward
Dec 5, 2008·Die Naturwissenschaften·Michael S Engel, Martin Gross
Aug 27, 2010·Nature·Martin A NowakEdward O Wilson
Aug 13, 2014·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Edward O Wilson, Martin A Nowak
Feb 16, 2016·Current Biology : CB·Phillip Barden, David A Grimaldi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 16, 2016·Current Biology : CB·Phillip Barden, David A Grimaldi
Feb 26, 2016·Current Biology : CB·Jes Rust, Torsten Wappler
Dec 9, 2016·Nature Communications·Shûhei YamamotoJoseph Parker
Feb 27, 2018·Systematic Biology·Frédéric Legendre, Fabien L Condamine
Dec 12, 2019·Nature Communications·Taiping GaoDong Ren
Feb 22, 2018·PloS One·Alba Sánchez-GarcíaMichael S Engel
Jul 1, 2017·Scientific Reports·Alba Sánchez-GarcíaEnrique Peñalver
Nov 20, 2020·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Solomon T C ChakPhillip Barden
Jan 4, 2021·Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS·Thomas ChouvencThomas Bourguignon
Dec 13, 2016·Current Opinion in Insect Science·Jessica L Ware, Phillip Barden
Jun 9, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Solomon T C ChakDustin R Rubenstein
Jul 8, 2021·Current Biology : CB·Zichuan QinXing Xu
Nov 18, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Nobuaki Mizumoto, Thomas Bourguignon

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.