Scientists from the Global Ant Genomics Alliance have made a groundbreaking discovery that uncovers the genetic foundations of ant evolution and their remarkable social traits. Published in the journal Cell, the research reveals how these tiny insects developed complex societies millions of years ago.
Ants, despite their small size, are known for their impressive organizational abilities. They build intricate nests without spoken language and exhibit an efficient division of labor among colony members.
The international research team analyzed whole-genome data from 163 ant species collected worldwide. By reconstructing the evolutionary tree of the ant family, known as Formicidae, they encompassed 12 of its 16 existing subfamilies. This work clarifies the complex relationships among different ant species and traces their common ancestor back to the late Jurassic period, about 157 million years ago.
One of the key findings is the significant expansion of gene families related to olfactory perception in the ancestors of modern ants. This suggests that early ants already possessed advanced molecular mechanisms for social communication, essential for the development of their complex societies.
The study also discovered that various ant species have evolved similar genetic mechanisms to determine which ants become queens and which become workers. This convergent evolution reflects how different species have adapted under natural selection to maintain their social structures.
The collaborative research involved scientists from Zhejiang University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanchang University, and BGI Research in China, alongside partners from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and the University of Münster in Germany.
